Red Light Therapy and COVID: How Light Therapy Can Improve Overall Health and Wellness to Combat COVID

For anyone who has experienced COVID, it is not fun, from the beginning to the final recovery stages. Aside from the severe cold and flu-like symptoms, research suggests that COVID can also impact multiple organs. Although the lungs are the most impacted organ, COVID can also cause pinkeye, rashes, liver problems, heart problems, kidney damage and blood clots. It doesn’t make for enjoyable reading. Did you know red light therapy for COVID has gained attention for its potential to alleviate certain symptoms? Keep in mind more research is needed to understand its effectiveness fully.

So can red light therapy help with COVID recovery and associated symptoms? Quite possibly! From initial research, studies show that the recovery progress is accelerated with the use of red light therapy for covid. Citing the May 2020 Publication by PubMed Central, "violet/blue (400–470 nm) light is antimicrobial against numerous bacteria. Further evidence shows that blue light inactivates several viruses, including the common flu coronavirus, and that in experimental animals, red and near infrared light reduce respiratory disorders, similar to those complications associated with coronavirus infection. Moreover, in patients, red light has been shown to alleviate chronic obstructive lung disease and bronchial asthma." This is why we added the 470nm blue light to our Light Therapy Resource Face and Body Wrap! Those powerful antimicrobial properties found in blue light are really effective and the science supports it!

Red light therapy can also help improve the immune system by increasing cells’ health and production rate overall. It also helps with circadian rhythm, as discussed in this Standford Medicine article, Light therapy is used to gradually shift sleeping patterns to what we consider normal, shifting us into the best schedule and sleep state and allowing our bodies to rest and recover better. Brain fog and chronic fatigue are some of the COVID symptoms that can be improved via red light therapy treatment as it aids with restoring sleep patterns and reduces inflammation in the body. 

Red light therapy, in particular, has been seen to denature the spike protein on the coronavirus, making it more difficult for the virus to fuse with an individual’s cells and replicate within their body.

For individuals already infected with COVID, light therapy can help prevent the disease from causing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a dangerous, potentially fatal respiratory condition in which the lungs sustain a serious, widespread injury that diminishes their ability to provide the body's organs with enough oxygen, as it boosts the production of Nitric Oxide (NO) within the body. Multiple published studies from November 2020 have shown that NO inhibits the replication cycle of severe ARDS. Additionally, light therapy has been seen to play a major role in reducing the lethality of COVID in severe cases, based on a June 202 study published by PubMed.

As for recovery and healing, Photobiomodulation Therapy has been proven to help with tissue healing and pain reduction. Of note, green light can help provide emotional and anxiety relief, as it has calming properties. And as mentioned earlier, blue light, has anti-bacterial properties that can help combat infections and speed up the healing process from COVID.

In conclusion, light therapy definitely can improve your general wellness and overall health, promoting deep body healing and accelerating recovery. Research on red light therapy for COVID-19 is ongoing to determine its efficacy in managing symptoms and aiding recovery. The benefits of light therapy are almost endless as more research continues to be published and adding light therapy to your lifestyle can have a far reaching impact on your body, mind and soul. 

My name is Sandra Burkhart, I am the owner of Light Therapy Resource, based out of California. I am a Certified Light Therapist and I would be honored to support you in your light therapy journey. Whether you are just starting out or have already experienced the amazing benefits of light therapy, my company offers something to fit your needs. And all purchases come with a complimentary call to ensure you understand how to use your device and to answer any questions. To visit the website, click here.