{"id":389371,"date":"2026-08-31T15:00:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dutchhealthstore.com\/?p=389371"},"modified":"2026-08-31T15:21:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:21:35","slug":"elementor-389371","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dutchhealthstore.com\/de\/elementor-389371\/","title":{"rendered":"Elementor #389371"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Wilma explains:<\/span><\/h2>

Small Red Light Therapy Device: 11 Smart Treatment Spots<\/p>

Not everyone wants or is able to start straight away with a large full body red light therapy panel. Maybe you have limited space, want to treat specific areas, or you’re looking for a device you can easily move around.<\/p>

A small red light therapy device might seem limited, but its precision is exactly what makes it interesting. You can treat a sore knee, shoulder, or lower back, but you can also target strategic zones that work more broadly throughout the body.
A small device doesn’t replace a large panel, but it gives you more control to target specific treatment spots precisely.<\/p>

We call this principle the systemic effect of red light therapy: treating locally, with effects reaching beyond the treated area.<\/p>

In this blog you’ll discover how the systemic effect works and which 11 smart treatment spots you can use to make the most of it.<\/p>

What Is the Systemic Effect of Red Light Therapy?<\/h3>

The systemic effect means that red light therapy doesn’t always work only on the spot you shine the light on directly. A local light stimulus can trigger processes that reach further throughout the whole body.
In other words: you might treat the abdomen, chest, lower back, or a problem area, but the health benefits can spread throughout the entire body.<\/p>

What Does Research Show?<\/h4>

An interesting study looked at what happens when red light is directed at the body, specifically in cases of wounds and nerve injury (1). The researchers found that the light didn’t just affect the treated wound, but also other wounds on the body that weren’t directly exposed to the light.<\/p>

Not only did the treated wound heal, but the untreated wounds also healed faster than in the control group.<\/p>

Several studies showing this systemic effect (2).<\/p>

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How Can One Local Treatment Work More Broadly?<\/h4>

You light up one spot, but that spot consists of skin, blood vessels, nerves, immune cells, and connective tissue. Once biological processes are activated there, signals can spread further through the blood, nervous system, immune system, and signaling molecules. This works mainly through:<\/p>

Mitochondria and Energy Production<\/strong>
Red and near-infrared light can influence mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of your cells. This can support the production of ATP, the main energy source for cells. When cells have more energy, they can recover better, cooperate, and pass on signals more effectively.<\/p>

Nitric Oxide and Blood Flow<\/strong>
Red light therapy can also influence nitric oxide, a substance naturally produced by the body that’s involved in blood vessel dilation. When blood vessels relax more easily, local blood flow can improve.<\/p>

Inflammation Regulation and the Immune System<\/strong>
Red light therapy is being studied for its influence on inflammatory processes and immune responses. Because the immune system is active throughout the entire body, a local reaction can also have a wider effect.<\/p>

Cytokines and Signaling Molecules<\/strong>
Cytokines are signaling molecules that cells use to communicate with each other. When cells at the treated site respond to light, they can release signals that are picked up elsewhere in the body too.<\/p>

11 Strategic Treatment Spots with a Small Red Light Therapy Device<\/h3>
  1. Abdomen and gut: photobiomics and gut flora<\/li>
  2. Eyes and face: circadian rhythm<\/li>
  3. Forehead: brain energy and focus<\/li>
  4. Neck area: thyroid and metabolism<\/li>
  5. Sternum: thymus, sleep, and immune system<\/li>
  6. Lower back: kidneys, adrenal glands, and relaxation<\/li>
  7. Lower abdomen: sex hormones and fertility<\/li>
  8. Lymph areas: neck, armpits, and groin<\/li>
  9. Shin and sternum: stem cell-rich areas<\/li>
  10. Upper right abdomen: liver function<\/li>
  11. The problem area itself<\/li><\/ol>

    BONUS:<\/strong> Healthy eyes and better vision<\/p>

    1. Abdomen and Gut: Photobiomics and Gut Flora<\/h4>

    The emerging science of ‚photobiomics‘ describes the effect of red light therapy on the microbiome, or gut flora. Research into photobiomics suggests that red light therapy may influence inflammation, mitochondria, and the microbiome. This is an interesting and growing field of research (3).<\/p>

    Healthy gut flora affects the immune system, energy, mood, and digestion.<\/p>

    Tip:<\/strong> using the skin contact method allows even more light to reach the gut.<\/p>

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    It’s also becoming increasingly common to restore gut flora to support brain health. This interplay between the gut and the brain, called the ‚gut brain axis‘, is now well documented in the literature (4).<\/p>

    For Parkinson’s treatment, light therapy directed at the abdomen also appears to work effectively, alongside the logical approach of treating the head (5).<\/p>

    In short, treating the abdomen and gut area is one of the most interesting ways to use a small red light therapy device to work more broadly than just locally.<\/p>

    2. Eyes and Face: Circadian Rhythm<\/h4>

    The eyes are the primary route for communicating light information to the brain, and from there to the rest of the body. You need bright light in the morning for a healthy circadian rhythm and good sleep.<\/p>

    You don’t need to look directly into the light. In fact, with powerful red light therapy devices, it’s wise not to look straight into the LEDs. Use the light on your face gently, keep your eyes closed, and choose an appropriate distance and treatment duration.<\/p>

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    Bright light on the face and eyes can, through this route, help improve alertness, energy levels, sleep, and mood (6).<\/p>

    Red light therapy doesn’t replace natural morning light, of course, but it can be part of a healthy light routine. Especially during the darker months, this can be practical for many people.<\/p>

    That brings us to the next application:<\/p>

    3. Forehead: Brain Energy and Focus<\/h4>

    The best area to get light to the brain is through the forehead. This is because there’s no hair here to partially block the light, and the skin is relatively thin (7).<\/p>

    Red light therapy on the forehead is being studied for its potential support of brain energy, mood, and cognitive function. Various studies show interesting results, but the effects depend heavily on dosage, wavelength, application, and individual circumstances.<\/p>

    You can read more about red light therapy, mood, and brain function in this blog.<\/p>

    4. Neck Area: Thyroid and Metabolism<\/h4>

    It has been shown that red light therapy directed at the neck area can support thyroid function. People with an underactive thyroid are often tired and lack energy. When thyroid function improves, you often notice it throughout your whole body.<\/p>

    In addition, thyroid function is essential for achieving a healthy weight and metabolism.<\/p>

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    5. Sternum: Thymus, Sleep, and Immune System<\/h4>

    The thymus is an organ that plays an important role in the immune system. This organ sits behind the sternum, and like the pineal gland, it’s capable of producing melatonin (the sleep hormone).<\/p>

    Using red light on the chest early in the evening can promote better sleep. A good night’s rest has positive effects on your mood and energy throughout the day.<\/p>

    In addition, red light therapy can strengthen immune function by counteracting thymus atrophy (8).<\/p>

    6. Lower Back: Kidneys, Adrenal Glands, and Relaxation<\/h4>

    When you shine red light on your lower back, where the kidneys and adrenal glands are located, this can contribute to healthy kidney function (9, 10, 11) and improve the regulation of stress hormones (adrenal glands).<\/p>

    A simple way to expose both the kidneys and adrenal glands to light is by placing a panel against the backrest of your chair and sitting in front of it.<\/p>

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    Tip:<\/strong> using the skin contact method allows more light to reach the kidneys.<\/p>

    Healthy kidney function and hormone balance both influence how your entire body functions.<\/p>

    7. Lower Abdomen: Sex Hormones and Fertility<\/h4>

    The testes (in men) and the ovaries (in women) are responsible for producing sex hormones. These hormones regulate fertility, energy, muscle growth, mood, and bone density, among other things.<\/p>

    Researchers have shown that red light therapy directed at the testes or groin area supports fertility and testosterone production in men (12).<\/p>

    8. Lymph Areas: Neck, Armpits, and Groin<\/h4>

    The lymphatic system removes waste products and helps defend against diseases and infections. Red light therapy directed at the lymph areas, the neck, armpits, and groin, can be used to stimulate lymphatic drainage throughout the body and reduce inflammation (13).<\/p>

    9. Shin and Sternum: Stem Cell-Rich Areas<\/h4>

    Our bone marrow (the inner part of bones) is rich in stem cells. Stem cells are of great value throughout the body for repairing damaged tissue.<\/p>

    Researchers have found that red light therapy (PBM) can stimulate stem cell production in the bone marrow, which can help reduce heart damage after a heart attack (14).<\/p>

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    The most effective spots to target light for stem cell production are the shin, the sternum, and the forehead, since the bone marrow is easiest to reach with light in these areas.<\/p>

    10. Upper Right Abdomen: Liver Function and Metabolism<\/h4>

    The liver is a vital organ with so many different functions that its performance affects the entire body. Think of:<\/p>