If you’ve been following my blog, you may know that I have been trying red light therapy for lymphedema. I’ve had the light panel for over 6 months, although I have taken breaks from it for travel.
I am thrilled to report that it is working incredibly well, both for lymphedema and general improvements in health and energy. Wow! I am literally blown away by it. As a 58-year-old, the change in my overall energy level has been nothing short of dramatic. And, from what I’ve seen so far, my lymphedema has been reduced.
PLEASE NOTE NONE OF THIS IS MEDICAL ADVICE. I AM JUST SHARING MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. PLEASE ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.
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Here’s a summary of what I’ve experienced:
Lymphedema: Great Control and Noticing Even Bigger Changes
I’ve written before about the research behind red light for lymphedema.
There is evidence that red light can actually “reboot” many aspects of the lymphatic system based on research. However, this is still very new and much of the research is on animals. However, one study on rodents showed that red light actually helps increase lymphatic cells. So if we have too few from birth, or if we’ve lost function in some due to radiation or some other reason, it might just help us grow new ones. Exciting research, that is for sure.
Here’s my experience. I no longer feel liquid in my left leg. Even if the swelling wasn’t visible, I would feel that. That is a significant improvement. I even forget about my lymphedema for days at a time without thinking about that constantly changing sensation.
Changes on Possibly a Bigger Scale
Also, one big change. Usually, if I don’t exercise daily—at least walking—my left leg will swell. It’s disheartening, and I’m sure many of you can relate. Well, I tweaked my lower back last week (totally my fault; hiking too far with a heavy backpack). I went from my usual 10-15k steps daily to about 500 for several days. Normally, when I miss more than one day of activity, that would mean more swelling of my left leg. That’s no surprise since movement is the pump for
our lymph system.
Thankfully, I did not get the swelling for the first days. I was shocked. After the fourth day, I did get the sensation of swelling, but it was very minor. This is a massive improvement for me!
Fingers crossed, this is actually improving my entire lymphatic system. It appears that it is! However, I won’t really know until I see progress over a longer time.
No Need for Maintenance Chinese Herbs
For the past several years, I’ve always had to do a maintenance dose of Chinese herbs at least once a year (sometimes twice). Now, I don’t feel the need to, and it has been over a year and a half. That’s huge as that is always a big expense. So, to me, this red light panel is a complete no-brainer investment. Instead of spending $350-$700 per year for a maintenance dose of herbs, I spent about $1,100 once, which will hopefully do away with that much of that ongoing expense. Of course, I’m not sure yet, but so far, so good.
But the benefits I have experienced go way beyond just lymphedema.
Massive Increase in Energy
Since I’ve been using the red light for a longer time, my energy level has dramatically increased. I had read about that on other blogs and was always skeptical. Whatever it is, it is golden. I am now spending more time exercising and not getting tired. Huge!
Now, this didn’t happen immediately…it kicked in around month 4 of use. I also have less soreness and general pain issues. If I do get a tweak, it seems to go away more quickly. For us oldies, that’s a big thing.
This increase in energy itself is a HUGE benefit for lymphedema, too, since movement powers our lymphatic system. The more we move, the better our lymphatic system will perform, so to me, this is a huge benefit.
How I’m Using the Red Light Panel
One thing I like is that you don’t need to be a slave to this panel to get good results. And in fact, a few MDs say it is good to take a break. I use it about 5 times a week. I’ve also taken a break from it when traveling –for over 5 weeks–and still reaped the benefit.
I really like that it doesn’t require some crazy regime because, as we all know, that can be hard. Fortunately, it is easy to use at home. I use it while listening to podcasts or anything video/audio that doesn’t require much vision. I also can use it sometimes when making phone calls. I’ve ramped up my time exposure to about 24 minutes each time, but doing it a day or so less often.
More Information on This Unique Technology
There’s a whole lot of research in this field now, but the “grandfather” of this entire field of study is a gentleman named Michael Hamblin, PhD. He’s been researching this stuff for over 30 years at Harvard and other institutions. He has had over 600 papers published on the topic. He seems to believe that this red light therapy is also pivotal for preventing brain problems, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
He also emphasized that red light seems to influence stem cells, which explains much of its ability to regenerate.
Here’s a good interview that covers this for many issues, if you’d like to learn more about this fascinating technology.
Bottom Line So Far…
As you can probably guess, I highly recommend this for anyone suffering from lymphedema. Based on my experience, it is an investment in both my lymphatic system and my overall health. It seems to benefit so many critical aspects of health and healthy aging. Plus, it is a safe and non-invasive lymphedema treatment.
And while it is a more significant expense, it is one time. The one I purchased, the MitoPro 1500, is exceptionally well-built. It is sturdy and should last a long time (as long you keep it out of harm’s way, of course).
And, if you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible savings account (FSA), you may be able to use those funds. Just consult your plan to double-check on any requirements.
If you’re interested in trying this, here’s the one I’m using, which, after research, appeared to offer the best combination of power and size for a reasonable price.
MitoPro 1500
Use FL001 promotion code for an additional 5% off.
Other New Potential Strategies to Reduce Lymphedema
I’m constantly monitoring the landscape for other things that might help. I’m mentioning two that I’ve looked at recently. I’ll probably write about them in more depth later, but for now, I’m introducing them in case you’re looking for more things to look into and try sooner.
Fasting Mimicking Diet
This is one I tried, and I love it! There is some fantastic research going on with dietary modifications that can have a pronounced impact on longevity and even treat many aging-related diseases. The Fast-Mimicking Diet (FMD), developed by Dr. Valter Longo at the University of Southern California, is a five-day fasting program that tricks your body into entering a fasting mode, even though you’re able to eat.
There’s a lot of research on this already. But this is what it has already been shown to do:
– Promotes Longevity: The diet aims to extend lifespan by mimicking the effects of fasting, which has been found to activate stem cell-based regeneration.
– Boosts Immune System: Early clinical trials indicate that the diet rejuvenates the immune system, potentially improving the body’s response to viral infections and disease.
– Improves Health Metrics: The diet has been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors, including blood pressure and signs of inflammation, as well as fasting glucose levels.
– Clinically Tested: The diet has undergone rigorous scientific evaluation and is backed by multidisciplinary aging research.
Why try this for lymphedema? Well, why not! This can potentially “reset” all the systems in the body and activate stem cells. Why wouldn’t it also benefit lymphedema?
I just did it. When I injured my back and was stuck inside, I figured that was the time to do it. It was boring, but it was overall easy. By day 3, I was feeling great. I just did the 5 days and feel great. I lost some weight (although that was not my goal), but I just felt calm, focused, and light.
I’ll talk more about this later, but there is a lot out there and research behind it if you google the Fast Mimicking Diet or Dr. Valter Longo MD.
There is a product for sale for this at the Prolon website, where you get a box shipped to you with all the food you need for the five days. I did a DIY version, and it seemed to work fine. You can google DIY Fast Mimicking Diet to learn more about this, as people have posted their homemade versions of this diet.
Metformin: Another Potential Lymphedema Treatment?
One last idea I came across. This one is for any of you where this is farther along, not in control, and really impacting your life.
There’s a recent study from China about using Metformin on lymphedema. The research, conducted on mouse models, found that Metformin not only reduced inflammation but also alleviated fibrosis in lymphedema. The drug achieved this by activating AMPK signaling, a cellular pathway that regulates energy balance.
In that Chinese study, Metformin’s impact was multi-faceted:
– Reduced Inflammation: It decreased the number of CD4+ T cells and inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
– Alleviated Fibrosis: It lowered the protein and mRNA expression of TGF-β1 in skin tissue and reduced type I collagen deposition.
– Promoted Lymphangiogenesis: It increased the formation of new lymphatic vessels.
Here’s a link to the study: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4387230
What makes this whole thing fascinating is that many healthy people are using Metformin as an anti-aging agent. It is very well studied and according to some leading scientists, is very safe and a potential “wonder drug”. Check out this article on it by a Harvard MD:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-metformin-a-wonder-drug-202109222605
OF COURSE, PLEASE UNDERSTAND I’M NOT A MEDICAL PERSON, SO THIS IS ONLY EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION. PLEASE CONSULT WITH A PHYSICIAN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THIS AVENUE.
I just wanted to share the idea. My lymphedema is so well controlled I won’t think about it now. Still, if it ever returned in force, I would absolutely consider trying Metformin. If you read about this drug, the side effects are nothing short of amazing…reduced cancer, better health, and living longer.
So…there’s my update. Hopefully, this provides some food for thought at a minimum.
Interested in adding red light therapy to your lymphedema care routine?
Check out the panel that I am using:
MitoPro 1500
Use FL001 promotion code for an additional 5% off.
Have any of you tried these various strategies? If so, please share your results!
Thank you very much for all these informations, they are helpful and I will give the red light therapy a try!
How many clothes do you leave on during a session? Are your legs bare?
I am thinkin about using the panel at work, si i can save time. I have my own office, so it woulf be possible to leave the pants off..
Sorry for the spelling mistakes above, I’m on the road.
Hi Larisa,
The light has to hit the skin directly based on what I’ve read. So…I usually do it with no or minimal clothes. Mine is primary so I treat the whole body….but from my understanding, some of the affects are systemic so by treating your torso, for example, it treats the blood which then can benefit other areas too. I think since we’re trying to get our entire lymphatic system functioning better, its best to treat the whole body, which can mean being full or partially undressed all or part of the time. But fortunately I have found it pretty easy to multi task and make use of that time to listen to podcasts, videos or catch up on personal phone calls. Hope that helps, if not let me know!
Hi Jeanne, perfect, thank you very much for your answer! I have another quick question (I am not sure if you mentioned it already in one of your posts): Do you have the normal sized panel or one of the big sizes?
All the best,
Larisa
I bought the Mitopro 1500 which is one of the full size panels (https://mitoredlight.com/products/mitopro-series?variant=32084839432292&afmc=1c5). It just has more power and easier to do bigger areas at once. That said, the small ones might work fine if you are willing to spend a bit more time treating areas. It sounds like some people start with a small panel then add later, which makes sense too…most of these can be linked together so you can control them with one switch. Hope that help!
Thank you again for your answer.
I am hesitant to buy the panels, because they are really expensive.
Do you suffer from primary or secondary lymphedema? And: Do you still have to wear you compression stockings every day?
Hi Larissa,
Yes, I understand. I know that fighting this condition is fortunately not cheap, except on the dietary and exercise front, which can be done without extra expense (eat healthier and walk more). I have primary lymphedema. If you read these blogs, you’ll see that it is basically under control and not really noticeable now that I have countered it with chinese medicine, a healthy plantbased diet, alot of movement and other natural treatments. The only time I wear compression now is preventively when I get on a plane or if I have to go on a long drive.
Thank you for your answer!
Hi Jeanne,
I bought the MitoPro 1500 and have two questions:
Do you use the red light and the infrared light at the same time or just one of them?
I was not aware that the red light gets warm. I live in Germany and warm red light is not recommended here for lymphedema; it is said that under the influence of heat the vessels dilate and even more fluid builds up.
So can I just use the infrared light, which doesn’t get warm?
And:
How do you use the panel on the side? It has vents on the sides, which should probably not be covered.
Best,
Larissa
Hi Larissa,
I use both red and infrared at the same time, but if you have a negative reaction to the regular LED light then it makes sense to do just one. Much of the research that has been done on red light for lymphedema has included both, but I know that some people’s swelling gets worse with heat. Mine doesn’t….no clue why.
Here’s more information on researchers using both: https://hadhealth.com/assets/articles/JOL_8-1LED%20LEEWgCarroll.pdf. However its also my general understanding that the infrared wavelengths penetrate more and are more powerful, so are probably more important for long term changes. (But, I’m just a layperson so please take that into account.) Here’s an excerpt from the table in that paper on the top of page 4 of the pdf: LLLT has been successful in the range 600–1000nm but wavelengths outside these ranges have been effective. The peak penetrating wavelengths are in the range 700–900nm. Wavelengths used in published lymphoedema research include lasers and LEDs at 632.8, 660, 808, 890, 904 and 905nm.
As far as putting it on its side, I have not had any issue with that at all and we’ve had it on carpet and on a wood floor. It does not get hot and seems to vent fine out the other sides. Then again if you’re using it for hours that may not be the case. My husband and I each use it a max of 20 minutes a day or maybe 40 minutes at one time on occasion, and it has not been an issue. Although, I’m sure getting a stand might be ideal.
Let us know how it goes! Hope you get some great results from it.
Thank you Jeanne for your helpful answer! I will only use the infrared light and see how it goes..
Are you still seeing success with the mitopro? My dream would be to get rid of the compression stockings for a few days a week without pain or swelling.
You’re very welcome. Yes I love the red light panel! It has made a big difference for me both in the lymphedema plus just general fitness, eliminating feeling cold in the winter, etc. I very much hope this helps you. I’m also writing a new blog with more detail about the fasting mimicking diet (which I touched on in this article), the more I learn about it the more I think this can be a huge help for all us struggling with this condition. I think using these together might be even better. 🙂
Hi. I came across your website in my search for information on abdominal lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Thank you for doing this. No doctor has helped me or even said I have lymphedema (except in my breast) but i absolutely noticed something strange happening to my abdomen after the mastectomy. Anyways, I have read a lot about the benefits of Red Light/NIR light therapy and after reading your blog I decided it was time to try it. I bought the MitoPro 1500X (it seems the Mito PRO 1500 has morphed to other options.) If anyone is interested, I will post my progress or lack of it. I’m starting very slowly, so I don’t expect any benefits for a at least a month or so.
How long before you saw benefits?
I’m also looking for an acupuncturist with herbal knowledge, that’s a bit hard around my area but I won’t give up.
I would love to hear other people’s experiences with their Light therapy.
Hi Sunnie,
Thanks for reading! Sorry you are dealing with that, but glad you are being proactive. Yes, definitely please share your results, we need more of that. It took a few months for me to see the benefit of the red light, but I still continue to love it. Has definitely put the swelling back into the unnoticeable state for me, and it’s also been a game changer for energy and fitness as well for me. I can do far more than I could before and have far more energy. The more I read about the mitochondria, the better I feel about adding this practice to my life (on top of eating well, exercising, etc. which if of course critical as well.) Best of luck and look forward to hearing back from you!