Is there a possibility for RLT to be used for treating kidney stones?
Red light therapy is a noninvasive, nonsurgical treatment that isolates the wavelengths of light from the light spectrum. Then it emits them into our bodies to produce specific effects. These wavelengths are very beneficial in treating many skin conditions and penetrate much more deeply into the body than the other colors of LED lights. So, can red light therapy help kidney stones?
Moreover, red light therapy may be applied to treat many problems other than the skin’s surface, such as digestive tract disorders like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and circulatory diseases. Continue reading to get the answer to your question.
Source: idealspine.com
Can Red Light Therapy Help Kidney Stones?
Most studies on kidney red light therapy have been performed in animals. However, they showed promise for the healing and inflammation-reducing properties of red light therapy for kidneys.
Several studies have examined light therapy for chronic kidney disease in rats. One of the best examples is that in 2012, the research found that rats with chronic kidney disease responded much better to low-level laser therapy with near-infrared light. Therefore, they experienced reduced inflammation and scarring in the kidneys, both of which contribute to the loss of kidney function.
Also, in 2010, there was a study in rats that showed the great benefits of red light therapy for kidneys suffering from the effects of diabetic hyperglycemia. Red light therapy, in this case, improved antioxidant and kidney function defense capabilities.
Another study showed the effectiveness of red light therapy for reducing kidney damage caused by blood flow that stops and then starts again, called reperfusion and ischemia.
A 2020 review of two decades of research on light therapy for kidney disease stated that red light therapy might effectively reduce scarring, inflammation, and oxidative stress associated with kidney disease.
Chronic kidney diseases
In patients with chronic kidney disease, surgeons might create an arteriovenous fistula, a connection between an artery and a vein, to facilitate renal dialysis.
In these cases, light therapy is not used directly on the kidneys but on the AVF. This therapy still affects kidney health because AVFs are the best access points for dialysis. However, they are not useful if they do not mature properly, or if they malfunction, they may cause some serious complications, including death.
A 2013 study followed 122 patients with advanced chronic kidney disease with newly created AVFs, and all of them were randomly assigned to receive 40 minutes of infrared red light therapy three times per week for a year.
However, after three months of therapy, the treatment group had better AVF maturation at 90% compared to 76% in the control group. Also, they experienced AVF malfunction only about 12% of the time, which is less than half the rate of the control group’s 29%.
So, all these examples show that red light therapy might really have great benefits for kidneys, especially for kidney stones.
Source: medicalnewstoday.com
Also read: What Does Red Light Therapy Treat
Conclusion
Red light therapy may support cellular homeostasis and efficient energy production. In conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, it may positively impact our body’s natural response to inflammation.
So, when you get the healthy light, you need to make energy and perform at your best. Inflammation is also less likely to impact your day-to-day life. Meanwhile, if you suffer from kidney disease and worry about red light therapy, it might be better to consult with your nephrologist.
Always remember never to discontinue any medications or treatments you’re currently undergoing in favor of red light therapy. Talk with your physician if you want to incorporate red light therapy into your treatment plan.
Hello! I’m Nicky Rodgers.
Almost a decade ago, I got excited about the idea of employing alternative methods like red light therapy to create a healthier life.
To learn more about it, I did my Certified Light Therapist course from Photonic Therapy Institute and started looking into the intricacies of how light therapy influences several bodily processes. Before I knew it, my interest had become an obsession which resulted in this extensive blog.
Here, I offer countless well-researched articles to help you understand the benefits and uses of light therapy. I hope this information gives you a head start in your wellness journey.