For many, the post-operative phase brings universal challenges: swelling that seems to linger for weeks, pain and discomfort, and a nagging anxiety about how scars will ultimately look.
At SeaRhythms, I have developed a post-operative game plan that utilizes my specialized training in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Post Operative Recovery. Now, I have added non-invasive Red/Infrared Light Therapy to most of my care plans to enhance your results even more!
Here are three ways Red Light Therapy can enhance your post-op lymphatic drainage sessions and significantly help in your recovery.
1. Conquering Swelling and Inflammation at the Source
Post-operative swelling is more than just puffiness; it’s a biological logjam. The body sends an abundance of resources to heal your surgical wounds, and that also creates more metabolic waste. If allowed to accumulate unchecked, this build up of fluid and cellular waste products can slow down healing, and even cause unwanted complications.
- Red & Near-Infrared Light (The Targeted Anti-Inflammatory): Light therapy acts as our targeted specialist. Both red and near-infrared light can help to reduce the inflammation that causes discomfort and can slow down recovery. Red light also stimulates mitochondria function in the cells that power the body.
2. Rebuilding Better Tissue and Minimizing Scarring
Healing isn’t just about closing an incision. It’s about rebuilding strong, healthy, and flexible tissue from the inside out. This is the key to achieving supple skin and scars that are minimally visible.
- Red Light (The Master Builder): This is where Red Light Therapy truly shines (pun intended!). It has been clinically shown to stimulate the activity of fibroblasts—the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. By energizing these “cellular masons,” Red Light provides the high-quality raw materials your body needs for reconstruction, leading to stronger, more flexible tissue.
3. Managing Pain and Calming the Nervous System
Pain is more than a physical sensation; it’s a constant alarm bell that keeps your entire nervous system in a state of high-alert, or “fight or flight.” This stress state actively inhibits the deep, restorative processes required for healing.
- Near-Infrared Light (The Soothing Warmth): The gentle, penetrating warmth of NIR light provides immediate comfort. It increases local circulation and helps relax the tense muscles that often guard a painful area, providing targeted relief without medication.
Don’t Just Recover. Recover Smarter.
You did the hard part by choosing and undergoing your procedure. Now, it’s time to provide your body with everything it needs to realize the best possible outcome from that investment.
By tackling recovery from every angle — reducing swelling, managing pain, rebuilding high-quality tissue, and calming your nervous system—I can help make your healing process smoother, faster, and more comfortable.