Red Light Therapy is a simple, gentle, reliable, and easy to administer healing modality that has been used by millions around the world. For women who are pregnant, a common question is: can you use Red Light Therapy? It's surprising that the answer is "yes" as well as "no." Here's why.
Further Scientific Studies are Needed
Red Light Therapy is considered to be extremely risk-free and safe. Red Light Therapy is safe to use on all parts of the body except the eyes. Light therapy is appealing to clinicians and patients because of its noninvasiveness, lack of side-effects, and ability to increase patient compliance. Furthermore, PBM has almost no reported adverse effects ...".
In a recent online article at Bump.com entitled, Can You Use Red Light Therapy While Pregnant?, writer Korin Miller quotes ob-gyn and women's health expert Jennifer Wider, MD, who explains, "There isn't enough evidence at this point to say whether red light therapy is completely safe during pregnancy....Existing studies have revealed that there's probably little risk, but more scientifically controlled studies are necessary to confirm safety during pregnancy."
Avoid red light therapy over the abdomen and lower back
Red Light Therapy is not recommended during pregnancy. Additional well-controlled studies are needed to confirm the safety of the therapy.
Red Light Therapy should not be used on the lower back due to the wavelengths of light that can penetrate the body. Len Saputo MD, citing NASA studies, states that "about 60% of the light penetrates four inches into the body, and another 40% down to approximately ten inches." To protect the fetus, do not place Red Light therapy pads near the lower area of the back.
During pregnancy, red light therapy can be used on the upper body and face.
Red Light Therapy should not be used on the abdomen or lower back, but localized treatments can be given to other parts of the body such as the legs, feet, arms, hands, knees and ankles. Consult your healthcare provider before using any Red Light Therapy devices during pregnancy. This is especially true during the first three months when the fetus's vulnerability is at its highest.
Red Light Therapy during Pregnancy
Red Light Therapy is beneficial in reducing the discomforts and pains caused by hormonal and physical changes that occur during pregnancy. It is recommended to reduce the treatment time to prevent skin irritation or over stimulation of skin that may be sensitive because of hormonal changes.
Red Light Therapy sessions usually last twenty minutes. However, shorter sessions lasting ten minutes or fewer are recommended during pregnancy. Avoid excessive Red Light Therapy and watch for any skin reactions.
Red Light Therapy can help during pregnancy
Red Light Therapy is a great way to relieve these common discomforts and ailments that women experience during pregnancy.
First Trimester: Weeks 1-12
* Fatigue due to hormonal and blood volume changes.
Tiredness and low levels of energy are common during pregnancy. Red Light Therapy is a great way to boost cellular energy.
* Stress (due hormonal and physical changes)
Red Light Therapy reduces stress symptoms. Red Light Therapy is described as relaxing, soothing, and comforting by many people. Within minutes, pain, stiffness and muscle tension disappear.
Second Trimester (Weeks 14-26)
* Back pain due to weight gain or changes in posture: Apply only on the upper back.
Red Light Therapy was deemed "...an efficient treatment modality for adult patients with musculoskeletal disorder.
Leg Cramps
Red Light Therapy is a great way to relieve leg cramps. FDA has cleared Red Light Therapy devices for increasing circulation and relieving pain. They also relax muscles and relieve muscle spasms.
Third Trimester: Weeks 27-40
* Insomnia:
Red Light Therapy sessions can improve sleep and help you to fall asleep. The study found that shift-work nurses suffering from insomnia improved their sleep quality by using light-emitting-diode therapy "...three days a week, for four weeks. It also reduced depression and anxiety.
..." The red light therapy pads can be used to reduce stress and improve sleep.
* Swelling:
Red Light Therapy reduces swelling by increasing circulation and decreasing inflammation.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common pregnancy symptom. It's also known as "PRCTS" or "pregnancy related carpal syndrome". This condition is caused by hormonal fluctuations, fluctuations in glucose levels, fluid accumulation and hypersensitivity to the median nerve. The most common mononeuropathy in pregnancy is "pregnancy-related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (PRCTS)." The reported incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome varies greatly and can range from 0.8% to 70 % depending on the diagnosis method and physician.
Red Light Therapy is proven to ease chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, studies limited to pregnant woman have not been done. The studies have shown that "...chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as frozen shoulder, neck pain and back pain, carpal syndrome, tendinopathy and fibromyalgia are all amenable for LLLT."
Conclusion
Red light therapy can be beneficial to pregnant women, but caution should always be taken. Red Light Therapy should not be used on the abdomen or lower back. The treatment sessions should be short and only include the neck, shoulders, arms, knees, legs, ankles, feet, and face.
