A recent study from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) has found that using infrared light along with regular physical therapy could be a new way to relieve nerve pain in people with diabetes.
This type of nerve damage, called peripheral diabetic neuropathy, often affects the legs and feet.
It’s a common and painful complication for people with diabetes, often worsening over time if blood sugar isn’t well-controlled.
Nerve pain from diabetic neuropathy usually develops five to ten years after a diabetes diagnosis and can cause intense symptoms like burning, tingling, and numbness.
These symptoms often worsen at night, which can disturb sleep and lower quality of life.
While medications are commonly used to manage this pain, they can lead to unwanted side effects like dry mouth, low blood pressure, and trouble urinating.
Lead researcher Denise Miyuki Kusahara explained that their team aimed to explore a different kind of treatment to ease the burden of diabetic neuropathy pain.
They chose to study photobiomodulation, which involves the use of light therapy, to help reduce pain naturally.
This therapy works by using a specific type of infrared light, which has been shown to influence pain pathways without causing harmful side effects.
The study involved 144 patients from public health clinics in São João da Boa Vista, São Paulo, Brazil.
Participants were split into two groups: one group received a combination of physical therapy and light therapy, while the other group only received physical therapy without the light treatment.
The infrared light used in the study had a wavelength of 890 nanometers, which was paired with physical therapy methods like electrotherapy and kinesiotherapy to support muscle movement and pain relief.
Both groups participated in 18 therapy sessions and were monitored over a 10-week period. To track the progress, pain and sleep quality were measured using different pain assessment tools.
The results showed that patients receiving both light therapy and physical therapy experienced significant improvements in pain and sleep quality, especially those who initially reported severe pain.
This combination treatment could potentially be used in various healthcare settings, including primary care facilities, pain management clinics, and outpatient units.
However, the researchers noted that healthcare providers must be trained to use this specific type of infrared light therapy to achieve the best results safely.
This includes understanding how to adjust the treatment for each patient, such as setting the light’s intensity and duration based on individual needs.
Following proper guidelines is important for the success and safety of this treatment.
The study suggests that light therapy, combined with physical therapy, could offer an effective and drug-free way to manage diabetic nerve pain, providing relief and improving the quality of life for those affected by diabetic neuropathy.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about diabetes and vitamin B12, and the right diet for people with type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat smart with diabetes, and turmeric and vitamin D: a duo for blood pressure control in diabetic patients.
