Secondly there is after an event, or training session, as Red Light Therapy helps assist recovery and delayed onset of muscle soreness (or the dreaded DOMS as you might know it).According to Dr Joseph Mercola, red and near-infrared therapy will:Increase microcirculation in the tissuesIncrease tissue oxygenationStimulate mitochondria and improve energy production in damaged cellsWorld-class athletes (Tiger Woods is one of them) have been using phototherapy to speed up recovery from sports injuries for years now.
These statistics represent so much more than just marginal gains!How is this super healing power achieved?As previously mentioned in other articles, NASA has known about the benefits of Red Light Therapy since 1998 and have been using it to benefit their high-performance teams since then.Near-infrared wavelengths have the ability to penetrate the cells 5cm below the skin, and that is why you are able to generate healing and recovery deep into your muscles.
This results in the area receiving more oxygen and nutrients to assist with the natural healing process.
Through the absorption of the light photons, the photochemical reaction eventually causes the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the fuel of all cells in your body.This causes increased synthesis of procollagen in fibroblasts which causes cells to rebuild and regenerate.
Although these were relatively small studies, the potential to improve muscle gains by over 50% compared to a controlled group without the Red Light Therapy over an 8-week training program is incredible.Yet more studies point to evidence that phototherapy administered before resistance exercise has consistently been found to delay DOMS, reduce fatigue response, and improve post exercise recovery and protecting the cells from exercise-induced damage.
Through the increased blood flow, muscle scarring will be reduced, decreasing the risk of future injuries and immobility.What intensity matters for maximum results?Previously we have touched on the intensity of the light, and also the depths that red and near-infrared wavelengths can penetrate.In order to penetrate deeper into the muscles, 780-850nm wavelengths are advised to have the most effective benefit.
