Have you ever felt water pouring down on your legs, making them feel heavy and swollen? Millions of people go through lymphatic discomfort daily, and one of the most efficient solutions that seems to work its way up is lymphatic drainage therapy. This kind of therapy is aimed at forcing the lymphatic system to become active, altering the pathway of lymphatic return, and reducing the edema fluid trapped between tissues. However, such effects are usually short-term. Today, we talk about red light therapy's potential benefits for lymphatic drainage.

Red Light Therapy and its relation with lymphatic drainage
Red light therapy, or LLLT or photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular function. RLT was first used for wound healing and tissue repair, but its application has expanded in health and wellness areas, from skin rejuvenation to pain reduction and lymphatic drainage.
Red light therapy may increase lymphatic drainage by stimulating the lymph vessels and providing a more efficient contraction for better tissue removal. It can help reduce swelling, improve blood circulation, and enhance the general performance of the lymphatic system.
Why is lymphatic drainage important?
The lymphatic system is one of the most important parts of the human immune and blood circulatory systems. It involves the circulation of lymph, a clear fluid whose primary components are white blood cells, proteins, and waste products, between the different parts of the body through the lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and lymphoid organs. Some of the functions of the lymphatic system:
- Assists in maintaining the fluid levels in the body by collecting the excess fluid from tissues and returning it into the bloodstream.
- Plays a vital role in the immune system since it transports white blood cells and helps filter deleterious substances.
- Aids in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the gut.
Problems caused by poor lymphatic drainage
When the lymphatic system is not functioning properly, it can lead to a variety of health issues, including:
- Lymphedema: The development of acquired lymphatic fluid within the tissues, usually causing arm or leg swelling.
- Soreness and Discomfort: When fluid keeps on accumulating, the affected parts are tender and sore.
- Weakened Immunity: Impaired lymphatic function may weaken the immune system, making the system more susceptible to infection or other diseases.
- Poor Lymphatic Drainage and Chronic Inflammation: Poor lymphatic drainage will very likely result in chronic inflammation and disorders.
Mechanisms of action
It is believed that red light therapy assists the lymphatic system in a variety of ways. Light penetrates the skin, thus stimulating the contraction of lymph vessels to increase the lymphatic flow rate. Red light is anti-inflammatory and helps reduce swelling with pain associated with poor lymph drainage. It increases adenosine triphosphate production inside cells and enhances cellular function and repair. It, therefore, becomes useful to overall lymphatic system efficiency.

Common uses
- Reducing Swelling and Inflammation: RLT can reduce swelling and inflammation caused generally by lymphedema, injury, or surgery.
- Faster Recovery from Exercise: One major use for red light therapy isspeeding up muscle recovery and reducing soreness for athletes and enthusiasts directly after high-intensity exercise.
- Shiny skin: RLT improves lymphatic function through red light therapy, enhancing skin tone and texture to help combat puffiness for healthier skin.
What does the research say about red light therapy for lymphatic function?
While preliminary clinical studies do find potential benefits of red light therapy for lymphatic drainage,
A study published in the "Journal of Palliative Medicine" demonstrated that red light therapy strongly reduced limb volume and improved the symptoms in patients with lymphedema. Another study published in the journal "International Molecular Science" showed that red light therapy can improve brain lymphatic flow and reduce swelling in patients.
Although promising, these findings-ending red light therapy for lymphatic drainage-are yet to be substantially supported by evidence.
How to use RLT for lymphatic drainage?
If you use red light therapy for lymphatic drainage, here are the guidelines to maximize benefits.
- Duration and frequency: It can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, and depending on patient recommendations, treatments are usually several times a week for optimum results.
- Body Positioning: Ensure that the light targets areas of body parts most likely to be affected by lymphatic drainage, such as legs, arms, or abdomen.
- Consistency: There are benefits associated with regular use.
Precautions and contraindications
- Always consult with a qualified professional about the suitability of using any given therapy for your particular condition.
- Overexposure may cause skin irritation or any other related side effects.
- Red light therapy should be avoided by those who have photosensitivity disorders or are on photosensitizing medications.
Conclusion
Red light therapy is a promising non-invasive procedure in enhancing lymph drainage and relieving associated symptoms such as swelling and pain. Early studies and anecdotal reports show that it has some benefits to offer, but more extensive research is needed to determine its full efficacy. If you would like to try red light therapy, you must consult a doctor to discuss your suitability for it, and you must strictly follow the usage guidelines. If used regularly and properly, red light therapy will give you healthier and lighter lymphatic circulation.
References
[1] Glass GE. Photobiomodulation: The Clinical Applications of Low-Level Light Therapy. Aesthet Surg J. 2021 May 18;41(6):723-738. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjab025. Erratum in: Aesthet Surg J. 2022 Apr 12;42(5):566. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjab396. PMID: 33471046.
[2] Li K, Zhang Z, Liu NF, Feng SQ, Tong Y, Zhang JF, Constantinides J, Lazzeri D, Grassetti L, Nicoli F, Zhang YX. Efficacy and safety of far infrared radiation in lymphedema treatment: clinical evaluation and laboratory analysis. Lasers Med Sci. 2017 Apr;32(3):485-494. doi: 10.1007/s10103-016-2135-0. Epub 2017 Jan 26. PMID: 28127644.
[3] Deng J, Lukens JN, Zhu J, Cohn JC, Andersen LP, Spinelli BA, Quinn RJ, Chittams J, McMenamin E, Lin A. Patient Experience of Photobiomodulation Therapy in Head and Neck Chronic Lymphedema. J Palliat Med. 2023 Sep;26(9):1225-1233. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0419. Epub 2023 Apr 28. PMID: 37116057.
[4] Salehpour F, Khademi M, Bragin DE, DiDuro JO. Photobiomodulation Therapy and the Glymphatic System: Promising Applications for Augmenting the Brain Lymphatic Drainage System. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Mar 10;23(6):2975. doi: 10.3390/ijms23062975. PMID: 35328396; PMCID: PMC8950470.