Can Red Light Therapy Help Kidney Stones?

Introduction: Red Light Therapy for Kidney Stone Relief

Kidney stones are firm, solid structures composed of crystals that develop in the kidneys from material that is usually dissolved in urine. The stones may form in any portion of the urinary tract and often cause excruciating pain and discomfort. Patients with this condition usually require quick relief, as pain brought about by kidney stones may be so violent that it becomes almost insufferable. These persistent pains can interfere with your day-to-day life, affecting your ability to work or perform routine tasks. Although it might not be constant, when it hits, it is unbearable.

Most people who go through conventional treatments are never satisfied with the outcome since the drugs must be taken for a very long time, and even then, they can fail to provide full relief. Sometimes surgery is also suggested to treat the condition. However, with the advancement of science, another non-invasive solution has been made available—red light therapy.

By applying specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, this treatment can potentially reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve blood flow to the kidneys. While red light therapy is not a direct treatment for kidney stones, it is known to complement the body's healing processes, which may contribute to a quicker recovery and improved kidney functionality when combined with proper hydration and medical treatment.

In this article, we will examine whether red light therapy can be used to treat kidney stones, its applications, advantages, and the scientific community's perspective on this promising treatment.

Understanding Kidney Stones: Causes, Symptoms, and Risk Factors

Kidney stones are hard crystals that develop in the kidneys when some chemicals in the urine, like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, become concentrated. When these chemicals don't dissolve into solution correctly, they bond together and create stones. Kidney stones come in a variety of sizes, from small grains to big lumps that can obstruct urine flow. Small stones can also lead to intense pain and discomfort.

Several factors can contribute to the formation of kidney stones, including dehydration, excessive intake of salt, sugar, or protein, certain medical conditions (such as gout or urinary tract infections), and genetic predisposition. Inadequate fluid consumption is usually the primary cause, as it allows concentrated urine to form more easily, thereby facilitating the formation of crystals. Kidney stones may also form with excessive consumption of green leafy vegetables and tomatoes due to their high oxalate content.

You usually do not experience pain until the kidney stones begin to move inside the kidney or into the ureter. When this occurs, you will have sharp, severe pain in the side or back, painful urination, blood in the urine, nausea or vomiting, a constant need to urinate, and cloudy or smelly urine.

Risk factors for the formation of kidney stones include a low intake of fluids, a high-sodium or high-protein diet, obesity, gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease, and excessive consumption of certain foods, including tomatoes and green leafy vegetables.

Challenges with Traditional Kidney Stone Treatments

Patients who have tried traditional therapy say that the therapies do not provide complete relief. Traditional treatments are developed to manage symptoms and not to remove kidney stones completely. Since kidney stones are composed of various materials, traditional therapies are not effective for all patients. Medicines prescribed to dissolve or help the stones pass can take time to become effective, and some stones do not respond well to these drugs. Thus, pain occurs frequently, and patients are left with persistent discomfort and psychological tension.

In severe cases, especially when it is difficult for the stone to pass through the ureter or when many stones are present, surgical interventions or invasive techniques like lithotripsy (shock wave breaking of stones) are needed. Surgical interventions are not affordable to most individuals since they are expensive, and others are afraid of undergoing surgical interventions due to complications and the time needed for recovery.

Furthermore, the traditional treatments do not reduce the chances of kidney stones recurring, i.e., the stones recur even after treatment.

How Red Light Therapy Supports Kidney Health and Stone Relief

The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Pain and Inflammation

Red light therapy is a drug-free and non-surgical treatment that utilizes low-wavelength red light and near-infrared light. Red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate the skin and travel deep into cells, activating the body's healing processes. Red light therapy stimulates the mitochondria, the cell's energy-producing components. Upon absorbing low wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, mitochondria start producing increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP maintains multiple cellular functions, enabling cells to repair and regenerate more quickly. So, all damage inflicted on kidney cells by kidney stones can be healed by red light therapy.

Red light therapy also enhances blood flow, and improved blood circulation can help the body naturally dissolve and eliminate kidney stones more effectively. Moreover, red light therapy reduces pain by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. As pain is among the most important symptoms that individuals with kidney stones feel, red light therapy can offer good relief. It also decreases inflammation, stress, and oxidative stress, which helps protect kidney tissues from damage caused by the stones.

Does Red Light Therapy Help with Kidney Stones? What Research Says

Red light therapy is not a direct treatment for kidney stones, but it brings relief from symptoms and reduces the possibility of developing kidney stones again. There is limited research on the use of red light therapy for kidney stones. Red light therapy has been proven to effectively reduce inflammation and pain, stimulate cellular healing, and enhance blood flow. All these factors contribute to successfully reducing the symptoms of kidney stones.

Clinical Studies on Red Light Therapy for Kidney Stone Patients

Study 1: Exploring Photobiomodulation (PBM) as a Potential Non-Invasive Therapy for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Objective

The goal is to determine whether photobiomodulation (PBM), a type of light therapy, can be used as a treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD), as existing treatments only slow down the disease but do not halt its progression. 

Results

Early research suggests that PBM may also alleviate certain key issues associated with CKD, including inflammation, cellular stress resulting from damaged cells, gastrointestinal disturbances, and impaired cellular energy production. Other illnesses also show positive effects, implying that PBM can also treat CKD.

Conclusion

PBM appears to be an exciting, drug-free, and non-pharmacological treatment that may help individuals with CKD. Further research is needed before it can be recommended absolutely as a therapeutic option.

Study 2: Evaluating At-Home Red Light Therapy for Managing Chronic Kidney Disease in Pets.

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of home-based Red Light Therapy (also called Laser Therapy or Photobiomodulation) in enhancing the quality of life and renal function in companion animals—primarily cats and dogs—with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), following previous encouraging results in a 2016 pilot study.

Results

• Out of 29 enrolled pets, three were excluded due to treatment difficulty, and three were euthanized due to other medical conditions.
• Twenty-three pets remained on treatment, and the majority of owners saw marked improvement in their pets' appetite, energy levels, and overall health.
• Some animals displayed better kidney function (i.e., lower creatinine, BUN, and phosphorus levels), while others remained stable or experienced only minor increases.
• Animals treated in the earlier stages of CKD appeared to have improved outcomes compared to those treated in more advanced stages.
• The treatment has been straightforward for most pet owners to administer at home, and several reported that their animals appeared to enjoy the sessions.

Conclusion

While it's too early to draw solid conclusions, the current study suggests that home Red Light Therapy may be a practical, non-surgical approach to managing CKD in pets, particularly when initiated in the early stages. Additional data and longer follow-up are necessary to establish its complete benefits.

Note: Although these clinical trials do not directly support the use of red light therapy for kidney stones, they show that red light therapy is effective in healing kidney issues and improving overall kidney health.

Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device for Kidney Stone Support

Key Features to Look for in an Effective Device

If you need to alleviate the symptoms of kidney stones and maintain good kidney health, you can treat yourself with red light therapy in the comforts of your home by simply buying a good red light therapy device. You should purchase the correct device, as most available devices are of poor quality and low cost. These devices are incapable of producing the therapeutic intensity of light required to heal and instead deliver no healing benefits.

When purchasing a good device, ensure it has these characteristics:

Wavelength Range

Your device should release light within the right range. To reduce symptoms of kidney stones, it needs to emit red light at 610–670 nm and near-infrared light at 810, 830, 850, and 1064 nm. These waveforms are beneficial in reducing pain, inflammation, and oxidative stress, promoting cellular recovery, and promoting blood flow.

FDA Approval

Your device needs to be FDA-approved because FDA-approved devices are proven to be safe and effective for use.

Power Output (Irradiance)

Your device should have a power output range of 30–100 mW/cm² on the treatment surface. This will deliver enough energy to the treated surface to produce a therapeutic effect without causing heat damage.

Timer and Intensity Controls

To facilitate safer and more controlled treatments, especially at home, your device should incorporate timers and intensity controls.

Light Source

Since LEDs, unlike other light bulbs, can emit the therapeutic range of natural red and near-infrared light, the device should utilize LEDs as its light source.

Easy-to-Use Functionality

Your device must be easy to use and light enough so that you can carry it with you wherever you are and never miss a therapy session.

Total Spectrum Devices: Tailored Red Light Therapy for Kidney Relief

Overview of the Total Spectrum Series for Kidney and Urinary Health

If you wish to purchase the best and highest-quality red light therapy device, then buy from RLT Home. RLT Home is a company that offers top-quality Total Spectrum devices. The devices emit the proper spectrum of red and near-infrared light, which is effective in providing relief from kidney conditions and symptoms associated with kidney stones. They are FDA-approved and also have other certifications like CE and RoHS, ensuring the safety and efficacy of the devices for use at home. They have sufficient power output and utilize good-quality LEDs that give the appropriate range of light deep into your tissues without interference.

With a good device like this, your body will heal naturally. It is easy to use and safe for daily home treatment.

Best Practices for Using Red Light Therapy for Kidney Stones

Finding the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance

Once you have purchased the right red light therapy machine, you will need to follow some guidelines in order to perform red light therapy in the right way and get maximum benefits out of the treatment. You can give this treatment 3 to 5 times a week, but do not give it on a daily basis because daily use may interfere with the normal recovery that red light therapy provides. Every session should be 10–20 minutes long, as prolonged exposure to red light therapy can irritate your skin rather than healing it. Also, hold the device 6–12 inches away from your body to avoid overheating.

Conclusion: The Role of Red Light Therapy in Kidney Stone Management

Can Red Light Therapy Help Kidney Stones?

Red light therapy does not directly treat kidney stones, but it can relieve their symptoms. It reduces the significant pain of kidney stones by causing the body to release endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving substances. Red light therapy also increases blood flow, which can reduce the likelihood of substances like calcium and oxalate accumulating and forming new stones.

It calms your body and maximizes the feeling of being comfortable. Treating kidney stone symptoms at home becomes easy.

Can Red Light Therapy Cause Cancer?

Red light therapy employs low wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, which are not cancer-causing. UV rays are cancer-inducing because they can potentially change the structure of the DNA, but red light therapy is absolutely safe and does not harm in any way.

FAQs: Addressing Common Questions

Is red light good for the kidneys?

Yes, red light therapy is good for the kidneys because it stimulates cellular recovery, enhances blood circulation, and decreases inflammation and oxidative stress. All these factors contribute to improving kidney health.

Where is red light therapy not to be used?

Do not use red light therapy on open wounds, infected areas, or directly over cancerous tumors. Also, avoid using it near the eyes or on the thyroid gland without consulting a doctor.

Can infrared help with kidney stones?

Infrared light can help alleviate kidney stone pain by reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and easing muscle tension in the surrounding area. While it doesn't break down the stones, it may support symptom relief and help the body pass stones more comfortably.

References

1. Therapeutic Potential of Photobiomodulation for Chronic Kidney Disease.
2. Clinical Study Using Laser Therapy (Photobiomodulation) to Treat Chronic Kidney Disease.