How red light therapy can manage pain

The annual Fit Summit in Singapore is now called Beyond Activ. The event is still held at the Raffles City Convention Center but now spans not only the fitness industry but also the health space, as well as corporate wellness.

In the trade show, you see many of the established brands like Life Fitness and Matrix, but there are new products and brands such as the ones I am featuring now. As a colleague said, it’s a spin on an old technology, which is infrared light. Remember the infrared lamp of Philips that many homes had as a remedy for pain? Here’s the reincarnation in a sun-lounger form and a portable one that you can bring with you everywhere you go.

Miami neighbor and friends John Graham Harper and Barry Warrington are both in the red light therapy business and have been introducing it in trade shows across the globe since last year.

Barry’s red-light lounge bed is more for the gym, spa, resort, or salon since you have to lie down on it for 20 minutes. John’s company, Lumaflex, on the other hand, produces portable units, for which he got Time Magazine's Best Inventions nod in 2023.

Barry was always busy attending to trade-show visitors who wanted to take their free 20-minute red light lounge experience, so I just sat down with John to know more about the technology.

John is a fitness professional with 15 years of extensive experience in the fitness and wellness industry. His company elevated fitness and recovery by introducing the world’s first portable, durable, and waterproof red light therapy device.

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: How did you get into this business?

JOHN GRAHAM HARPER: I am first and foremost an athlete. I am into rugby and boxing. I had injuries and extreme pain. It was through my journey of pain management and healing that I refined red light technology to the portable units we now offer. As the CEO of a business that offers red light therapy solutions, and as an avid user of red light therapy devices myself, I have firsthand experience in witnessing the positive impact this treatment can have on managing chronic pain and improving overall wellbeing.

How do you find pain management relevant to the common person who is not really into sports?

In America, more and more workers are suffering the ill effects of chronic pain and discomfort. It is something which affects millions upon millions of people all over the globe. In the States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC estimated that there were as many as 51.6 million US citizens affected by chronic pain in 2021. Chronic pain not only affects a person’s physical and emotional health and wellbeing, it’s also an issue that can affect their productivity in the workplace. With more than 40% of America’s workforce affected by the ill effects of chronic pain and the health complications it brings, employee productivity is also suffering.

What causes chronic pain?

Chronic pain can stem from any number of issues, be they preexisting or brand-new. Arthritis, fibromyalgia, back injuries, long-term COVID-19, muscular disorders, obesity, a lack of exercise, nerve-related health issues, unhealthy lifestyles, and migraines are just some of the prime culprits responsible. Companies report that pain in the workplace results in a lack of focus on tasks, absenteeism, fatigue, reduced energy, reduced motivation and enthusiasm, increased mental health issues, and a dip in company morale.

So what do you recommend?

In Korea, a study recommended that pain management in the workplace should be implemented to extend the sustainable working life for aging workers. Rather than prescription medication or over-the-counter pain relief, businesses can instead implement more of a holistic approach to chronic pain management. Red light therapy is a noninvasive holistic treatment option for chronic pain that can help workers treat and manage their chronic pain and symptoms in the workplace and at home. It utilizes low-level wavelengths of red light and NIR (near infrared) light to treat a wide variety of ailments. The treatment can aid in healing common skin issues and disorders. There is evidence to suggest that red light therapy can be used to treat and prevent inflammation, while simultaneously boosting circulation, increasing wound healing, and improving people’s mood. Numerous clinical studies of red light therapy have shown significant improvements in relieving neuropathy, musculoskeletal pain, and joint pain, along with other measures of everyday wellness.

How does red light therapy work?

Red light therapy is a therapeutic technique employing low-level wavelengths of light. It is recognized for its anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties. By penetrating the skin's surface, it stimulates cellular repair and increases circulation, facilitating a natural healing process without the need for pharmaceuticals. Research has substantiated its efficacy, with studies demonstrating notable decreases in inflammation and oxidative stress, factors often implicated in chronic back pain.

In the quest to combat back pain, Lumaflex presents a state-of-the-art device designed to harness the therapeutic effects of red and infrared light. This FDA-approved, portable innovation stands at the forefront of pain relief technology, offering a waterproof and sweat-proof solution that can be used even during physical activities. Its user-friendly design, supported by the Lumaflex health app, allows for targeted treatments, ensuring that relief is not only effective but also personalized.

Unlike rigid panels, Lumaflex’s flexible design contours to the body, providing direct, consistent application to the back area for maximum effect. With just a 10-minute daily session, users can experience profound relief and expedited recovery. The versatility of the product means it can be used pre or post-exercise, during rest days, or as part of a rehabilitation program.

By making Lumaflex a part of your holistic back care routine, you embrace a modern solution that complements traditional therapies, enhancing your body's intrinsic healing capabilities and ensuring a more resilient and pain-free back.