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According to the National Library of Medicine, it's estimated that about a fifth of all adults will eventually develop varicose veins. While a varicose vein is primarily a cosmetic concern, some individuals do experience a form of discomfort or pain.
If you're among those who experience this and prefer to avoid invasive treatments as much as possible, you’re in luck – it’s possible that red light therapy benefits you.
Emerging studies suggest several mechanisms of action simultaneously enabled by RLTs may help treat this condition. This article by ROJO Light Therapy AUS will shed more light on varicose veins, and how red light therapy can be a viable treatment option in the foreseeable future.
Varicose veins are dark blue or purple veins close to the surface of the skin. These veins are enlarged, bulging, and lumpy due to an excess of blood, and often affect the lower limbs - most notably the legs.
Varicose veins are most commonly seen in sedentary, overweight, senior, or pregnant individuals. Although varicose veins are merely an aesthetic problem, some individuals may also experience the following symptoms:
Moreover, symptoms may worsen over time and may even lead to serious health problems such as venous ulcers and even blood clots.
Thankfully, varicose veins are highly treatable, and red light therapy's potential role in their management is being explored, among others.
Although red light therapy has a slew of associated health benefits, it cannot directly eliminate or even reduce the size of these veins. However, it may indirectly help alleviate symptoms by enabling two mechanisms of action: reducing inflammation and improving blood flow.
One way RLTs help reduce inflammation is by mitigating oxidative stress– a well-known inflammation trigger. Oxidative stress is a process that occurs when there is an imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), more commonly known as ‘free radicals’ and ‘antioxidants’.
Oxidative stress is a completely natural process but may do us more harm than good when sustaining inflammation for too long. This process leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, which reduces adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and ultimately causes our cells to work under-capacity and potentially die off.
Although our mitochondria automatically replenish when our ATP is low, RLTs can help beef up their ATP output. Additionally, RLTs can enhance antioxidant activity and, in turn, reduce oxidative stress.
In the case of varicose veins, RLTs can be beneficial for more severe cases - such as their development into ulcers - by reducing inflammation in the affected site, and even aiding in wound healing.
Additional red light therapy benefits also include improved blood flow. While specific studies on RLTs for varicose veins treatment are lacking, we have a similar study examining the effects of RLT on chronic wounds on the lower limbs of diabetic patients.
To test its effects, 79 patients were divided into two groups: One group received RLT treatment three times a week for two months, while the control group received a broader and weaker light therapy.
The findings were promising, as RLT improved blood flow and healing of chronic wounds for both diabetic and non-diabetic treatment groups when compared to the control.
While we are fascinated about the potential applications of red light therapy sessions for varicose vein treatment, it should be regarded as a complementary option rather than a primary treatment.
Instead, we highly recommend combining RLT sessions with regular exercise, positive lifestyle changes, and adhering to the prescribed medical treatments by your healthcare professionals in order to properly manage your symptoms.
ROJO is committed to every one of our client’s paths to better health and wellness, and our devices perfectly encapsulate this commitment. Our devices feature protective safeguards to fully protect you from the invisible, yet damaging effects of electromagnetic fields and flickering.
Feel free to reach out to our team for more insights, questions, or the latest scoop on the current findings about all things red light therapy.
