Whether you're looking to speed up muscle recovery, reduce inflammation, or boost circulation, adding a cutting-edge treatment to your wellness routine can make all the difference. One such treatment gaining popularity in wellness circles is red light therapy. If you haven’t yet explored its benefits, you’re in for a treat.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into how red light therapy can complement your Pilates practice, decrease pain, and enhance your recovery. We’ll also discuss the scientific research backing its benefits, helping you make an informed decision about adding it to your wellness regimen.

What is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy (RLT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-wavelength red light to penetrate deep into the skin, reaching muscle tissue, joints, and even bones. Unlike ultraviolet (UV) light, which can be harmful, red light is known for its deeply therapeutic effects on the body. It promotes natural healing processes and has been widely studied for its positive impact on inflammation, pain relief, tissue repair, and overall wellness.

This treatment works by stimulating mitochondria—the powerhouse of our cells—leading to increased energy production, faster cell regeneration, and improved tissue repair. As a result, red light therapy can help enhance muscle performance, reduce soreness, and speed up recovery times.

How Red Light Therapy Benefits Your Pilates Practice

1. Enhanced Muscle Recovery

After a Pilates session, your muscles may feel tired or fatigued. Red light therapy can significantly reduce muscle soreness by improving circulation and reducing inflammation. I have been doing trials with the red light therapy panel after my workouts and plan to post a detailed review of post-workout and pre-workout light usage. So far, I am loving post-workout RLT 10 minute sessions, and finding them insanely beneficial to recovering faster from my weightlifting workouts.

The increased blood flow from red light therapy helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues, promoting faster healing. By using red light therapy regularly, you may experience less post-workout discomfort and quicker recovery times, allowing you to return to your Pilates practice feeling fresh and ready to go.

2. Pain Relief and Reduced Inflammation

For many people, joint pain and inflammation can be a roadblock to progress.

Whether you suffer from chronic conditions or experience temporary discomfort due to overexertion, red light therapy may help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation in the area you target.

Studies have shown that RLT can significantly reduce markers of inflammation, providing relief from conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, and muscle strains (Source: RedTherapy.co). Prior to my dog passing at 15 years old, we used RLT during his last year of life and noticed a significant improvement in his back pain and mobility.

3. Improved Circulation

Good circulation is essential for optimal performance in all aspects of life, as it ensures that muscles receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients. Because of what red light therapy does on a cellular level by stimulating mitochondria, it also heats up the skin which helps promote better blood flow. This not only aids in muscle recovery but also enhances endurance and flexibility during your workouts.

With regular sessions, you may notice that you feel less fatigued and are able to push yourself harder in your Pilates classes. This is one of the reasons pre-workout red light therapy is a great option for anyone who is stiff or has extreme tightness in an area we plan to work in class.

4. Increased Collagen Production

There are studies showing red light therapy can help boost collagen production in the body, which is vital for maintaining strong, healthy connective tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This can be especially beneficial for those doing Pilates, as it supports the integrity and elasticity of muscles and joints. Improved collagen synthesis also promotes better posture and body alignment!

5. Boosted Energy and Performance

Red light therapy works by increasing ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production in your cells, which is essentially the energy currency of your body.

More ATP means more energy for your cells, helping you power through your Pilates workouts with less fatigue. Whether you're performing challenging core exercises or working on your flexibility, red light therapy can help you push through those barriers.

How to Incorporate Red Light Therapy Into Your Routine at Pella Pilates & Wellness

Integrating red light therapy into your fitness routine is simple. Sessions are 10 minutes long, so you can mark 15 minutes off on your schedule to include setup and cleanup. You can get red light therapy before or after your workouts.

Pre-Workout: Using red light therapy before your Pilates class can help warm up your muscles, increase flexibility, and enhance circulation. This is great for people who have stiffness, or extreme tightness in a specific muscle group.
Post-Workout: After your Pilates session, red light therapy can accelerate recovery by reducing inflammation and speeding up muscle repair. This is great for athletes who take a class and want to quicken recovery for their next workout, and minimize soreness. Red light therapy can benefit sleep, making it a great way to wind down after a night class. Because of the various frequency settings on the panel, it can also be an incredible way to energize your day by doing RLT after your morning pilates session.
Each appointment costs $10

If you're interested in exploring this treatment, please book your first session by emailing us at pellapilates@gmail.com

More Science Behind Red Light Therapy (If you aren’t already convinced)

The therapeutic effects of red light therapy are well-documented in scientific literature!

Research shows that red light therapy can reduce inflammation and promote healing at the cellular level, as discussed above, while also benefiting skin & collagen production, boosting energy, increased immune system, decreased depression and anxiety, better sleep, faster wound healing, increased fat loss, and the list goes on.

A study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that red light therapy could accelerate tissue repair and reduce pain and inflammation (Source: RedTherapy.co).

Another study from the National Institute of Health found that red light therapy could effectively treat joint pain and improve muscle strength, making it an excellent complement to strength-based practices like Pilates (Source: RedTherapy.co).

Come Try Red Light Therapy at Pella Pilates!

Whether you're a seasoned Pilates enthusiast or a beginner, red light therapy is a great tool to support your overall health and fitness journey.

Contact us today at pellapilates@gmail.com to start your RLT sessions!

Sources:

RedTherapy.co. (n.d.). Red Light Therapy Benefits. Retrieved from https://redtherapy.co/pages/resources
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. (n.d.). Red Light Therapy for Tissue Repair. Retrieved from https://redtherapy.co/pages/resources
National Institute of Health. (n.d.). Red Light Therapy for Joint Pain and Muscle Strength. Retrieved from https://redtherapy.co/pages/resources

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