Bone density and the ability of the body to build new bone is important for people recovering from injuries. It’s also important for all of us as we age since our bones tend to progressively become weaker in time, increasing our risk of fractures. The bone-healing benefits of red and infrared light are very well established and have been demonstrated in many laboratory studies.
In 2013, researchers from São Paulo, Brazil studied the effects of red and infrared light on the healing of rat bones. First, a piece of bone was sliced off the upper leg (osteotomy) of 45 rats, which were then split into three groups: Group 1 received no light, group 2 was administered red light (660-690nm) and group 3 was exposed to infrared light (790-830nm).
The study found “a significant increase in the degree of mineralization (gray level) in both groups treated with the laser after 7 days” and interestingly, “after 14 days, only the group treated with laser therapy in the infrared spectrum showed higher bone density.”
2003 study conclusion: “We conclude that LLLT had a positive effect on the repair of bone defects implanted with inorganic bovine bone.”
2006 study conclusion: “The results of our studies and others indicate that bone irradiated mostly with infrared (IR) wavelengths shows increased osteoblastic proliferation, collagen deposition, and bone neorformation when compared to nonirradiated bone.”
2008 study conclusion: “The use of laser technology has been used to improve the clinical results of bone surgeries and to promote a more comfortable postoperative period and quicker healing.”
Infrared and red light therapy can be safely used by everybody who breaks a bone or incurs any kind of injury to enhance the speed and quality of healing.