Buying guide for best infrared therapy lamp
Anyone who suffers from chronic pain understands just how frustrating the quest for relief can be. It’s especially difficult if you prefer natural treatments because many non-pharmaceutical options aren’t particularly effective. But clinical studies have shown that infrared light therapy can be extremely successful in treating pain, wounds, and other health issues, which is why an infrared therapy lamp could be the ideal addition to your pain management strategy.
Infrared therapy lamps use light of a specific wavelength to penetrate through layers of skin to affect your cells, tissues, bones, and other body parts to help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and assist in the healing process. However, for an infrared lamp to be effective, it must produce the right wavelengths of light or you’ll only be wasting your time and money.
In addition to knowing what wavelength to look for, you have to choose the best type of lamp for your needs, as well as determine what size and other features will be most helpful in your situation. With such a wide variety of infrared lamps to choose from, finding the right one can be a challenge.
There’s no need to worry. Our helpful shopping guide has all the information you need to select the best infrared therapy lamp for your particular pain issues. If you’re still unsure, check out the matrix above for our top five picks.
Key considerations
Uses
Infrared therapy lamps are often used to treat joint pain, muscle pain, neuropathy pain, or pain related to injuries. The lamps can help if you suffer from arthritis, fibromyalgia, knee pain, neck pain, lower back pain, tendinitis, and a variety of other chronic pain conditions. Because it’s noninvasive, it’s an ideal option if you’re searching for a nonsurgical or non-pharmaceutical approach to relieving your pain.
Infrared light therapy has also been proven effective in treating slow-healing wounds, repairing sun damage, reducing the appearance of scars, and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.
Wavelength
The most important feature to consider when shopping for an infrared therapy lamp is the wavelength of light that it produces.
At-home infrared therapy lamps generally offer wavelengths between 600 and 1400 nanometers (nm). Clinical studies indicate that wavelengths in the range of 630 to 680 nm and 800 to 880 nm are usually the most effective, so it’s important to choose a lamp that’s able to provide those wavelengths.
Type
Infrared therapy lamps typically come in four styles: tripod, light panel, desk, and handheld.
Tripod infrared therapy lamps are similar to traditional floor lamps, though they often have wheels on the bottom for moving the lamp around your home. This type is very adjustable, making it easy to focus the light on a specific area of the body.
Light panel infrared therapy lamps are tabletop lamps with a large square or rectangular panel that emits the light. This type of lamp often provides the largest treatment area, but it might be difficult to position the panel so it targets the specific area of the body that you’re trying to treat.
Desk infrared therapy lamps are small tabletop lamps that are similar to the tripod style but smaller and not quite as adjustable. However, the desk lamps are easier to angle than the light panels.
- Handheld infrared therapy lamps are similar in design to a flashlight, making one ideal for travel. Because you can hold the lamp in your hand, it’s extremely easy to focus on a specific area of the body. However, a handheld lamp’s treatment area is usually much smaller than that of other lamp types.
Infrared therapy lamp features
Size
The overall size of an infrared therapy lamp is an important feature to consider because you have to have space in your home to use and store it. Tripod infrared therapy lamps are usually the largest, with a size that’s similar to most standard floor lamps. Light panels are typically the next largest in size, though they can fit easily on most tabletops, making them a more convenient option. Desk infrared lamps are even smaller and fit comfortably on most desks. If you’re really short on space – or want an option you can take when traveling – a handheld lamp is your best bet.
Corded vs. cordless
The majority of infrared therapy lamps have cords that must be plugged into an outlet for use. Some handheld lamps are cordless and run on batteries. Cordless models give you more options in terms of use because you don’t need to be near an outlet. They’re also ideal for travel. Some cordless infrared therapy lamps run on traditional disposable batteries, while others use rechargeable batteries.
Treatment area
While the overall size of an infrared therapy lamp is an important practical concern, it’s the size of the lamp’s treatment area that really determines how effective and easy it is to use. The treatment area refers to the portion of the lamp that emits the light on the affected area of your body.
If you’re using the lamp to treat a large area, such as your back, you’ll want a lamp with a larger treatment area. For smaller spots, such as the knee, the size of the treatment area isn’t quite as important. If you plan to use the lamp for multiple ailments, it’s best to choose a model with a larger treatment area so you know you can accommodate any area of the body.
Light panel infrared therapy lamps offer the largest treatment area, while handheld devices have the smallest. Keep in mind that you can easily move a handheld lamp over your body, so its small treatment area may not matter as much.
Treatment time
You may not have much time to devote to infrared light therapy in your schedule, so you should consider the amount of time necessary for successful treatment when considering a lamp. The treatment time can vary from lamp to lamp based on the wavelengths that a model uses, as well as the intensity of the light. Some lamps require only a few minutes per area per day, while others require up to 20 minutes a day for each treatment area.
Timer
Some infrared heat lamps are equipped with a timer that counts down the length of time the light is in use. This feature helps guarantee that you meet the recommended treatment time without exceeding it. You can find some lamps with an automatic shutoff, so the lamp turns off once the timer counts down.
Infrared therapy lamp prices
Prices for lamps vary based on the type of lamp, but you can usually expect to pay between $30 and $360.
Handheld infrared therapy lamps are generally the most affordable, ranging from $30 to $125.
Most desktop models cost between $35 and $125.
Light panel infrared therapy lamps are a bit pricier, typically ranging from $55 to $300.
Tripod lamps are the most expensive, with most priced between $80 and $360.
Tips
Consult your doctor before using an infrared therapy lamp. That way you’ll know if it’s the best treatment for your condition or injury.
Make sure that your skin is free of any lotions, creams, or oils before using the lamp. The lamp can burn you if there are any oils or emollients on your skin.
Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual. Determine the recommended treatment time so you don’t irritate your skin.
- Don’t use the lamp to treat injury pain in the first 24 hours after the injury occurs. The light could make the inflammation worse during that first day.
FAQ
Q. How long does it take to see results with an infrared therapy lamp?
A. It usually depends on the condition you’re treating and how much pain you’re experiencing. If you have pain from a mild injury, you might experience relief that lasts for hours with just a single treatment. If you’re treating chronic knee pain, you may need two or three sessions before you feel the pain lessen. For severe pain, it could take a few months of regular treatments before you feel noticeable relief.
Q. Does it hurt to use an infrared therapy lamp?
A. If used properly, an infrared therapy lamp shouldn’t hurt at all. You may feel some warmth and your skin may become temporarily red, but you shouldn’t feel any pain. Keep in mind that some infrared therapy lamps aren’t meant to be used on bare skin and may cause discomfort if you allow the light to hit your skin.
Q. Do I need to continue using an infrared therapy lamp even after I feel relief?
A. You should continue using the lamp daily until you’re entirely free of pain. Once you’ve reached your desired results, you can switch to a maintenance schedule of just once or twice a week.
