Studies show that red light therapy is also effective at restoring energy and vitality in persons suffering with fibromyalgia. Because red light is so effective at reducing inflammation, it is proving effective at treating fibromyalgia, which is partly caused by inflammation in the brain stem/hypothalamus region.105,106 This same effect would likely also benefit chronic fatigue syndrome (which shares many of the same symptoms as fibromyalgia), though it has not yet been studied.
Red and near-infrared light therapy is very effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia, for virtually all of the most problematic symptoms that accompany fibromyalgia.
Multiple studies have found that red and near-infrared light therapy offers:
- Enhanced quality of life for fibromyalgia patients
- Decreased pain
- Decreased muscle spasm
- Decreased morning stiffness
- Decreased total tender point number in fibromyalgia cases
Research—including a very recent 2017 study—suggests that this therapy method is a safe and effective treatment for fibromyalgia.
Once you understand the pathways through which red/NIR light works its magic on the human body, it actually makes good sense that red/NIR light would benefit chronic fatigue conditions and increase energy levels. Much research over the last 5 years suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction, brain function, and inflammation are at the core of chronic fatigue. There are hundreds of studies now showing that red/NIR light therapy has huge benefits to mitochondrial and brain function, and that it powerfully decreases inflammation. So even though there are only a few studies that have tested this directly thus far, based on a simple understanding of the mechanisms at play and the science that is already known, it is perfectly reasonable to think that red/NIR light has massive potential for helping people struggling with chronic fatigue.
