Red Light Therapy: A Natural Treatment For Chemo Induced Neuropathy

Seeking relief from chemo-induced neuropathy? Chemotherapy-induced pain affects about 68% of cancer patients within 1 month of chemotherapy [1]. Not only does this condition put a limit on the dose of the chemotherapy treatment, but living with chemo-induced neuropathy can be incredibly challenging. From the constant discomfort of tingling, and numbness, to pain in your hands and feet - neuropathy can be incredibly frustrating and isolating during an already difficult time for cancer patients.

 

Imagine finding a natural solution that offers comfort and support. The good news is, it is possible to improve the condition over time, with a CIPN prevalence of 30% after 6 months or more of chemotherapy completion. Needless to say that when part of a holistic treatment plan, red light therapy can be a very effective, natural treatment for chemo induced neuropathy that prioritizes your well-being and embraces a holistic approach to healing.

What Is Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy?

Definition

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of certain cancer treatments like Paclitaxel or Taxane. It affects the peripheral nerves, leading to disruptions in communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

Symptoms

Neuropathy in cancer survivors presents as nerve pain, tingling sensations, numbness, or weakness in the hands and feet. Patients may also experience sensory neuropathy, impacting their ability to feel textures or temperatures accurately., impacting their ability to feel textures or temperatures accurately.

Impact On Daily Life

The effects of CIPN can significantly impact daily activities for cancer patients and survivors. Simple tasks like buttoning a shirt or walking can become challenging due to the discomfort in foot and hand caused by nerve damage.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Chemo-Induced Neuropathy

Alleviating Neuropathic Pain

Red light therapy has shown significant potential in alleviating neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy with no adverse events or side effects known to date. The therapy targets the affected areas, stimulating cellular repair and reducing inflammation. The wavelength of red light used in this therapy penetrates the skin to reach the damaged nerves, promoting healing processes and providing relief from pain.

 

In addition to pain relief, red light therapy also holds promise for improving nerve function in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The stimulation provided by red light at a cellular level can enhance nerve regeneration and repair processes. Studies have indicated that regular sessions of red light therapy can lead to improvements in sensory function, motor skills, and overall nerve health.

 

For a full breakdown of the benefits of red light therapy as a neuropathy treatment, and an in-depth explanation on the biological processes stimulated, make sure to read our blog Red Light Therapy For Neuropathy - Review Of Scientific Studies.

Non-Invasive Approach

One of the key advantages of red light therapy is its non-invasive nature with no known potential side effects. Medications that treat CIPN symptoms can cause heartburn, drowsiness and difficulty concentrating, among others. 

 

By utilizing specific wavelengths of light, this therapy can effectively target the affected areas without causing any harm to the surrounding tissues. This makes it a preferred choice for individuals seeking natural and non-pharmacological options for managing chemo-induced neuropathy.

Scientific Evidence

Red Light Therapy Studies On Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy

Several clinical trials and studies have investigated the efficacy of red light therapy (scientifically called Photobiomodulation or PBM) in managing chemo-induced neuropathy. While the sample size in most studies has been small, participants (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy) have shown significant improvements in pain levels, numbness, and tingling sensations. The use of red light therapy has been associated with a significant reduction in neuropathic symptoms, enhancing the quality of life for these individuals.

Study

Link

Findings

Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

PBMT might be an effective treatment strategy to manage CIPN, with very encouraging reports from renowned teams.

Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

Among patients with CIPN, PBM produced significant reduction in neuropathy symptoms.

Photobiomodulation Therapy In Management Of Cancer Therapy-Induced Side Effects

There is robust evidence for using PBM to prevent and treat a broad range of complications in cancer care.

For a more in-depth review of the scientific research and clinical trials, read our analysis on the benefits of red light therapy for neuropathy.

Recommendations For A Holistic Treatment Protocol

Dietary Recommendations

In recent years, tremendous scientific progress has been made in understanding the bidirectional interactions between the central nervous system and gut microbiome. The gut microbiome not only influences the development of emotional behavior, stress- and pain-modulation systems and brain neurotransmitter systems, but also regulates pain in the peripheral and central nervous system. Therefore, a holistic, natural treatment for chemo induced neuropathy inevitably needs to target the gut microbiome as well.

 

Poor dietary choices result in significant inflammation levels. Additionally, processed foods contain numerous toxic chemicals that can compromise the immune system, exacerbating nerve damage. Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet like a Mediterranean diet or a healthy ketogenic diet rich in vegetables will help you control blood sugar, reduce inflammation and provide neuroprotective effects.

Physical Activity

Engaging in regular exercise, such as walking or yoga, can improve circulation and help ease neuropathic symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise is crucial to reducing pressure on nerves.

 

Physical therapy exercises aim to challenge the nervous system to restore communication pathways. For meaningful symptom benefit, exercises should focus on 3 things:

 

Stretching exercises to improve circulation for faster healing

Weight-bearing exercises to strengthen muscles around the nerves

Balance exercises to restore proprioception

Nerve Supplements

When nerves endure substantial damage, their natural healing process can be hindered. A nerve support supplement provides the ingredients nerves need to heal while protecting the nerves from further deterioration.

Deep Healing Red Light Therapy

Nerves are the slowest healing tissues in our body and can take many months for complete healing. Deep healing red light therapy can accelerate this process by up to four times. This is because our cells can turn red light photons into cellular energy, fueling nerve tissue repair.

Conclusion

You now understand the impact of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and the potential benefits of Red Light Therapy in alleviating its symptoms as an alternative treatment to make informed decisions whether the therapy is right for you. Scientific data reports positive patient outcomes (improvement in outcome measures) and supports the effectiveness of this natural treatment, offering hope for managing this challenging condition.

 

While Red Light Therapy alone can ease symptoms, fact is that a holistic treatment protocol leads to significant differences in primary outcome and best results for healing. This will make an important difference, facilitating more effective nerve repair and improving your quality of life.

Neuropathy Light Therapy System™

World's first comprehensive deep healing light treatment for neuropathy.

Holistic Treatment Plan

The only red light therapy device with a holistic treatment plan for neuropathy. Includes red light therapy, exercises, diet, supplements and chemical detox

Pulsing+ Technology

Your cells can turn more of the light energy into cellular energy with Pulsing+ Mode. This means faster healing for you.

Triple Chip Medical LED Diode

Supercharge your cellular energy with an extra large treatment area, 150 LEDs and 450 light chips with an irradiance over 150 mW/cm2.

Developed by Experts

Developed in partnership with the Center For Senior Health (CSH) & MCare Physical Therapy.

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References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28714953/

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5509538/#:~:text=CIPN%20prevalence%20has%20been%20shown,after%20chemotherapy%20completion%5B3%5D.