Red Light Therapy for Neuropathy: Which NovaaLab Works Best?
Few pains are more frustrating than neuropathy, but red light therapy for neuropathy can help with the tingling, and pain, as well as any pain with associated inflammation.
Red light therapy for neuropathy works well, as long as you have the right device. The best NovaaLab devices for neuropathy pain relief are the Light Pad and the Extra Strength Laser. They have the advantage of directly contacting the skin which allows for full photon delivery to the affected nerves.
Neuropathy is a Debilitating Pain
Neuropathy can be a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The numbness, tingling, and pain that come with nerve damage can make daily life a struggle.
Although red light therapy is not shown to address the neurological aspects of the syndrome, it can help relieve the pain.
Neuropathy is often caused by poor blood flow, inflammation, and damage to the nerves, which makes red light therapy an obvious choice for symptom relief. It can result from various causes. One common cause is diabetes, which can lead to diabetic neuropathy when high blood sugar levels damage nerves over time.
Other medical conditions, like autoimmune diseases, infections, and kidney disorders, can also contribute to neuropathy. Physical injuries can cause trauma to the nerves, leading to neuropathic pain.
Some medications, especially chemotherapy drugs, can also cause nerve damage. In some cases, neuropathy may be hereditary or idiopathic, meaning it arises spontaneously without a known cause.
Whether caused by diabetes, autoimmune diseases, infections, genetic disorders, vitamin deficiencies, exposure to toxins, or certain medications, red light therapy can reduce and even eliminate neuropathy pain.
NovaaLab Red Light Therapy for Neuropathy
The pad and the laser handheld are most suited for addressing neuropathy pain because they deliver the photon energy in a way that maximizes neuropathy pain relief.
While you can use and will get some benefit from tabletop and panel lamps, the pad and handheld therapy devices are a better design for nerve pain relief.
And in case you’re asking, yes, NovaaLab Light Pad is an excellent red light therapy device for dogs.
This is because the pad and handheld sit directly on the skin, which is a surprisingly powerful factor in pain relief success.
NovaaLab Extra Strength Laser for Neuropathy
The Novaalab Extra Strength Laser is a handheld red light therapy device that makes sense for reducing neuropathy pain.
The NovaaLab Handheld Laser and Light Pad are placed directly on the skin. There is no distance to lose light as it spreads across the room.
Based on the thousands of studies on red light therapy, the wavelengths of both the Light Pad and the Laser are excellent for reducing pain.
The advantage of the Extra Strength Laser is that it is about three times as powerful as the Light Pad. This translates to 5-minute treatment sessions and an impressive three days of pain relief.
Note that the laser comes with rechargeable batteries and is portable by design. Also, note that you must wear the protective glasses that come with the Laser as the lights are very bright. Protect your eyes!
NovaaLab Extra Strength Laser Pros
NovaaLab Extra Strength Laser Cons
NovaaLab Extra Strength Laser Instructions
- Use at any time of day (but use in the morning if you have insomnia to avoid the light bothering your circadian rhythm)
- Use before adding lotions and makeup
- Hold the light on the pain point for five minutes per area.
NovaaLab Light Pad for Neuropathy
The NovaaLab Light Pad is a pain relief device that makes sense for helping with neuropathy pain.
The NovaaLab Light pad is a versatile, easy-to-use device that straps to your body and delivers healing red and infrared light to your neuropathy pain.
The pad conforms to the arm or leg, or lays across the back, or wherever you need relief.
The advantage of the pad is that it has a large treatment area compared to the laser.
The disadvantage is that the pad is powered by an electrical cord, meaning that you are tethered during the 20-minute treatment session. However, you can add any USB cell phone portable battery to make the Pad battery-powered and portable.
Overview
It has one or two drawbacks, so I’ll go over those below.
Easy-to-Use Therapy
Made of soft and breathable materials, the NovaaLab Pad conforms to the shape of the knee, elbow, arm, or leg, providing a comfortable and snug fit. It is easy to wear and adjust, making it a convenient solution for pain and inflammation.
Regular use of the NovaaLab pad for 3-4 weeks improves blood circulation to the area affected by bursitis.
NovaaLab Pad Warranty
The NovaaLab Pad comes with a 60-day return policy. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can return it for a full refund within 60 days of purchase.
The Light Pad also comes with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. If you experience any issues with the product within one year of purchase, NovaaLab will provide a replacement free of charge.
Pricing
NovaaLab runs frequent sales, you should be able to pick up the Pad for $299.90.
NovaaLab Pad Pros
NovaaLab Pad Cons
Novaa Light Pad Instructions
- The Novaa Light Pad has a power cord that you will plug into the wall. You can make the device portable using any USB cell phone backup battery.
- Place the Pad around the target area (knee, back, elbow, hand, etc.). Note that you place the wrap directly on the skin. It does not work through clothing, bandages, or other obstructions.
- Use the strap to secure the Pad in place.
- Press the power button.
- The Pad will run for 20 minutes and automatically shut itself off.
- You must commit to daily treatment for three weeks, which is when most people feel significant relief. (There are devices that work faster, but they are more expensive).
| Comparison of Novaa Lab Healing Pad and Novaa Lab Extra Strength Laser | ||
|---|---|---|
| Light Pad | Extra Strength Laser | |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Satisfaction guarantee or full refund | 60 days | 60 days |
| Instructions | Place the pad on the area to treat. Use Velcro to secure the pad. Start the red light therapy. The pad will automatically turn off after 20 minutes Repeat every day. | Place the Laser on the area to treat. Hold the Laser in place. Start the red light therapy. Turn the device off after 5 minutes. |
| You should feel results in | 3-4 weeks | 2-3 days |
| FDA | Class II & Cleared for Marketing | Class II & Cleared for Marketing |
| Red | 660 nm | 650 nm |
| Infrared | 850 nm | 808 nm |
| Power | Electrical cord (or use your own cell phone battery for portability) | Rechargeable lithium batteries included |
| Other uses | large area pain relief device: use on any body part and pets | targeted area pain relief device: use on any body part and pets |
| Eye Safety | No safety issues | VERY BRIGHT: USE SUPPLIED EYE PROTECTION. DO NOT SHINE IN THE EYES. |
| How to Buy | Go to NovaaLab.com | Go to NovaaLab.com |
Red Light Therapy for Neuropathy, According to Science
Red light therapy for neuropathy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular processes in the body. In science, red light therapy is referred to as “photobiomodulation,” which is the use of light to create biological change.
Research has shown that exposure to red and near-infrared (NIR) light can improve tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.
There are several mechanisms that drive inflammation relief and nerve regeneration.
Red Light Therapy Increases Energy, Decreases Inflammation
The mitochondria in the cells absorb the light energy from red light therapy devices. This boosts energy production, providing cells with the power to repair themselves. The mitochondria produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary source of cellular energy.
This boost in energy production helps cells perform their functions more effectively, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. The mitochondria engage in “retrograde signaling” that turns off chronic inflammation. The signal stops the destruction of inflammation, as well as the pain sensitivity it creates.
I put the entire biological mechanism of how red light therapy increases ATP and reduces inflammation in my article Does Red Light Therapy Really Help With Chronic Pain?
Red Light Therapy Relieves Pain through Peripheral Opioid Receptors
Peripheral opioid receptors are proteins found on the surface of cells located outside the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. These receptors are part of the larger family of opioid receptors, which play a crucial role in pain relief and the body’s response to pain.
When opioids, such as endorphins (naturally produced by the body) or pain-relief medications like morphine, bind to these receptors, they can reduce the sensation of pain.
By acting on peripheral opioid receptors, pain-relief treatments can target the source of pain directly, without affecting the central nervous system. This can result in fewer side effects and a more localized approach to managing pain.
This is exactly what red light therapy appears to be doing, according to a 2021 study[i]
That study showed that red light therapy provides pain relief by acting on peripheral opioid receptors, and that leukocyte white blood cells activate these receptors.
The researchers discovered that when an infrared LED light was applied to the site of a skin incision in mice, it reduced the mice’s sensitivity to pain.
This pain-relieving effect involved the peripheral opioid receptors located outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Interestingly, the study showed that pain relief was prevented when a drug called naloxone, which blocks opioid receptors, was injected at the incision site. However, when naloxone was injected into the spinal cord, it didn’t stop the pain relief.
This finding indicates that the therapy works through these peripheral opioid receptors, not through the central nervous system.
Leukocytes Activate Peripheral Opioid Receptors to Reduce Pain
Additionally, the study found that a type of white blood cell called leukocytes played a role in activating these receptors.
When a substance called fucoidin was given to the mice, it partially blocked the pain relief from the LED light. Fucoidin is a compound that inhibits leukocyte rolling, a process that helps white blood cells, or leukocytes, move to the site of inflammation or injury.
When fucoidin was administered in the study mentioned earlier, it partially blocked the pain relief provided by the LED light therapy. This result suggests that leukocytes play a role in the pain relief mechanism.
The reason this is significant is that leukocytes contain opioid peptides, which can activate peripheral opioid receptors.
When LED light therapy is applied to an inflamed or injured area, it may cause these leukocytes to release their opioid peptides, subsequently activating the peripheral opioid receptors and reducing pain.
The fact that fucoidin partially blocked the analgesic effect of LED light therapy indicates that the involvement of leukocytes is an important aspect of the pain-relief mechanism.
Red Light Therapy Reduces Inflammatory Nitric Oxide
I usually talk about how red light therapy raises nitric oxide in the blood vessels. And this is still true. The Nitric oxide vasodilates blood vessels, bringing oxygen and nutrition to injured areas for repair.
The researchers also looked into the role of nitric oxide (NO), a compound involved in inflammation and pain transmission. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that is involved in various physiological processes, including the regulation of blood flow, immune responses, and communication between nerve cells.
But in this study, the researchers discovered that another way red light therapy works is by reducing NO levels at the site of inflammation.
In the context of pain and inflammation, NO contributes to the sensation of pain by increasing the sensitivity of nerve endings and amplifying pain signals. When LED light therapy is applied to an inflamed or injured area, it can reduce the local concentration of NO.
This reduction in NO levels can lead to a decrease in inflammation and a lessened sensitivity of nerve endings, ultimately resulting in reduced pain perception.
By lowering NO levels at the site of inflammation or injury, LED light therapy can provide a more targeted approach to pain management without affecting other areas of the body or causing unwanted side effects.
The Cells Must Receive the Light to Reduce Pain
As the photobiomodulation science is fond of saying, for light to be therapeutic, it first must be absorbed.
What absorbs the light? The cells in our bodies. Specifically, the mitochondria inside the cells.
There are many obstacles between the lamp and the mitochondria. There’s skin, blood, bone, tissue, and all manner of biological activity that might prevent the light from reaching the mitochondria.
Therefore, we want to maximize the amount of photon energy that reaches the cells and then provides neuropathy pain relief.
We are going to use the optimized handheld and pad devices because they maximize light delivery compared to tabletop panels.
How We Lose and Absorb Light
The light from a device does not go directly to its target. Light can be lost to reflection, refraction and distance.
Reflection is when light bounces off the skin. It bounces away from the body.
Refraction is when light passes from one material into another with a different density. In our case, it passes from the air to the skin.
Refraction causes the light to bend because it travels at different speeds in different materials, causing it to change direction at the boundary between the two substances. A common example of light refraction is when a straw appears bent or broken when placed in a glass of water.
Distance is the length between the device and the target. A device at zero inches from the target is touching the skin. A tabletop device, on the other hand, is at some length from the skin. As the lamp gets farther, its display gets wider. More of the light goes right past the target into the room.
Lamps at Zero Inch Distance Maximize Light Absorption
Plus, any light that would reflect off the skin is forced back by the device. So if the light does not go into the skin the first time, the device forces it to absorb the second time.
Compare that to a tabletop that loses light to distance, and then more light to reflection. The light that reflects off the skin is free to continue away from the body because nothing is over the skin to force the light into the body.
You might want to read that again: Expect to feel better within 3 days using the NovaaLab Laser device.
Based on a daily treatment schedule, maximum relief should be achieved within the first week.
Pros and Cons of the Pad and the Laser
The Pad and the Laser are non-invasive, have no side effects, and allow you to do at-home red light therapy for neuropathy pain.
You achieve significant pain relief without injections, surgery, or medication.
NovaaLab Lab has a generous 60-day return policy. Keep your box and packing materials for peace of mind. Both devices have a 2-year warranty.
The devices are affordable, relative to competitors on the market. I also recommend the Aahlight.com Visum laser which is on sale for $1500. Compare that to the NovaaLab Laser and Pad prices: View the Visum Laser
The disadvantages of these devices? They take more effort than swallowing a pill. You must use them consistently when you have a flare of neuropathy pain.
The main disadvantage is true of all red light therapy devices for neuropathy pain relief: they partially address the underlying problem, but are not a cure. These devices provide symptom relief from neuropathy pain but do not stave off diabetic symptoms or nutritional deficiencies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NovaaLab Healing Pad offers a promising, non-invasive solution for those suffering from neuropathy. With its ease of use, affordability, and proven effectiveness, it’s a worthwhile addition to any neuropathy treatment plan. If you’re looking to reduce your neuropathy symptoms and improve your overall quality of life, the NovaaLab Light Pad might just be the answer you’ve been searching for.
[i] Cheng K, Martin LF, Slepian MJ, Patwardhan AM, Ibrahim MM. Mechanisms and Pathways of Pain Photobiomodulation: A Narrative Review. J Pain. 2021 Jul;22(7):763-777. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.02.005. Epub 2021 Feb 23. PMID: 33636371; PMCID: PMC8277709.
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