Are You Treating the Athlete — Or Just Following the Protocol?

by Mitch Hauschildt in Podcasts

In this episode of The Fringe, Mitch Hauschildt (sports medicine specialist and clinical director at Fringe) sits down with Corey Tremble, Director of Medical Operations for the Miami Marlins and a 20-year veteran of professional baseball. Together they dig into how sports medicine has evolved, what a truly collaborative athlete care team looks like, and why workload management is at the heart of keeping athletes healthy and on the field.

Corey and Mitch share their philosophy of "loading tissue" and building resilience rather than simply reacting to injuries. Red light therapy gets a central role in the conversation — not as a magic bullet, but as what Mitch calls a "condiment": something that layers on top of manual work, dry needling, and blood flow restriction to speed recovery and reduce tissue damage. They walk through specific case studies including how RLT has transformed bruise recovery, post-op UCL rehab, and the shift away from ice as a default intervention.

If you work in sports medicine, coach athletes, or are simply curious about how elite performance teams think about recovery, this conversation offers a candid look at real-world application — and why the most effective approaches are always about stacking the deck, not following a single protocol.

 

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Transcript

Mitch Hauschildt: All right. Welcome to the fringe. Excited to be here. So, my name is Mitch Hauschildt. Those of you guys I haven't met — this is actually my first time hosting our podcast. I am the sports medicine and clinical director at Fringe. I've got a long history of working in the sports medicine fields, as an athletic trainer and a strength coach. My role at Fringe is to really support our clinical staff and make sure they have all the education they need, all the product they need, and everything that needs to be put in place for them to be successful. But I am also still a practicing clinician. I'm the rehab and injury prevention coordinator at Missouri State University. My days are spent doing injury prevention and rehab with Division 1 athletes, which keeps me in the weeds and busy. I get to use our products and relay a lot of that information back to our clinical friends. I'm super stoked to have Corey Tremble with us. Corey is a longtime friend of mine, has a long history of working in professional baseball. I'm gonna kick it to him and let him do his own intro.

Corey S. Tremble: Yeah, no, great. Thanks, Mitch. Love being on the fringe here today. So a little bit about me — my name is Corey Tremble. I've worked in professional baseball the last 20 years. Currently, I'm the Director of Medical Operations for the Miami Marlins. In that role, I oversee the entire medical umbrella from the Major League team all the way down to our Academy in the Dominican Republic. Anywhere between 20 plus direct reports with a bunch of physicians and the whole paradigm of the sports medicine contingent. I'm in my second year here. Prior to that I spent one year with the Texas Rangers and then before that was 17 years with the Detroit Tigers. Most of my experience is with baseball which I think really plays into what Fringe does and the products they put out because we are constantly chasing workload and trying to find ways to stack the deck any way we can. In my current role I'm leveraging the doctorate I achieved at Florida International University in academic and entrepreneurial leadership — really utilizing that in creating process and feedback loops and mentoring programming and really starting to zoom out and look at how can we create a department built on trust, integrity, and a player-centered approach. That's what we try to do with the Marlins. And that's where products like red light therapy have really become a huge piece to our day to day.

Mitch Hauschildt: You and I, when we first met, you were the rehab coordinator with the Tigers. You happened to stumble into a tape class I was teaching. We started talking. You guys had some of our Missouri State guys that were in your system. That's really what our background is and how we met.

Mitch Hauschildt: I love what you were just saying and I think a lot of our clinical friends that are listening can relate. You've had this natural evolution of patient care now moving into a leadership role. Maybe expand on that just a little bit of how that has worked for you.

Corey S. Tremble: Sure, and I think everybody in their career has these lulls where they run into kind of a wall and go like, you know, is this what I really want to continue doing? Instead of pivoting or trying something different, I just kind of leaned into how to make the zoomed in program or the athlete better. I was taking a ton of courses, reading a bunch, but it really wasn't anything next level or bigger picture. I just started having higher level conversations with really intelligent people in a lot of leadership spaces. And it just seemed that that was going to be an avenue that would fulfill that hunger I had, but also allow a bigger picture mentality that could affect growth throughout an entire department. I think in a lot of our sports medicine settings, you just go from an assistant athletic trainer to a head athletic trainer to a director of athletic training — and it has nothing to do with more than time served. And I've seen that fail because it was just a higher paycheck of the same messaging. If we were going to do something bigger and better, we were going to have to reimagine and look at it a different way. So my day to day is filled with how can I mentor my younger clinicians to find out what makes them tick and put them in the position to get to what they want. And it's also — if everybody's thinking the same, nobody's thinking. That's where different modalities and different trains of thought can really come into play. We need a forum where everybody can talk about what they've seen and really bring that back to the forefront of what we're trying to do, which is put the player in the center of all of our decisions.

Mitch Hauschildt: I love that. Especially in pro baseball, you'd have guys working rookie ball for $18,000 a year on a nine month contract, slowly working up through the levels. Now it's really looking at the bigger picture. You not only have athletic training, but strength coaches, physicians, dietitians — this whole team approach. And then I'm guessing you've got some sports scientists, because you mentioned workload.

Corey S. Tremble: Yeah, and to see it evolve over the last 20 years is just bananas really. Right now we're holding our major league performance meeting before every game. It has six athletic trainers, two physical therapists, two dietitians, three strength conditioning coaches, our GM, and our pitching coach. Those days of just the head athletic trainer writing down on a piece of paper what this guy is going to do today — those days are done. We have one of the more robust staffs. We travel with five athletic trainers, one physical therapist, three strength coaches, and two dieticians. That's just the major league team with a roster of 26. And then we have our facility in Jupiter with four physical therapists, two athletic trainers, four strength coaches, and three dietitians for when players are on rehab.

Mitch Hauschildt: So what does that collaborative look like now? Because sports medicine was always king. You had the biggest voice, the most implication to the roster.

Corey S. Tremble: For a long time, athletic trainers knew we had the biggest piece to the pie and the strongest voice. And I think what ended up happening was we're starting to phase out those clinicians that are like my way or the highway. Now it's a much more collaborative, much more inclusive approach — we make sure that we touch every single department on every single player in our lineup. Because if we're fueling them better, if we're helping them recover better, if we're doing strategies in the strength conditioning side of things to not just maintain their strength but gain strength during the season — that creates such a better net for the player to have success. One of the biggest myths in all of baseball is that you just want to maintain during the season. So you're going to tell me that we're going to take the next six months of a 12 month year and just maintain our strength? And then you're going to take a month off at the end of the season? In a 12 month calendar year, you're going to try to get stronger for less than 5 months? We've had to change that mentality. Sports medicine is really the bystander in a lot of it. It's all these other spaces that are allowing us to have the good results on the back end on paper.

Mitch Hauschildt: Right. We've evolved as athletic trainers really to primary care physicians in a sense. We're the main contact point, but at the end of the day we're referring to PTs, sports psychologists, registered dieticians, strength coaches, and really tying those pieces together. And one of the big evolutions we've had in the last few years is we're now involved in conversations before we offer scholarships, which for the bulk of my career we never did. That's been good — now we at least know what we're getting ourselves into.

Corey S. Tremble: At the minor league level, we're still a one man band for the most part in a lot of spots. And that's where how can I leverage different modalities? How do I do some manual therapy with this player, and also get this player going? We have to be intentional of what we're buying, why we're buying it, and how it's benefiting our players day to day.

Mitch Hauschildt: So if you were to describe your practice philosophy, what does that look like?

Corey S. Tremble: Sure, and I think it's shifted over the years. When I got into baseball early on, I was so manual therapy minded — we were going to just make guys' tissue feel better. And it was like, well, why are you coming in every three or four days consistently? I guess I'm not doing a very good job of making you feel better. So then it shifted to more movement-based. The body just wants to move. Muscles don't know anything besides contracting and not contracting. They just know they're using their hamstrings — the hamstring has to contract. So now the philosophy with the Marlins is we are going to load tissue. We want to make sure that if we're going to get the most out of our athletes, we need to make sure they can accept that load, they're robust, they have the capacity to increase their volume and accept the intensity that we're asking them to do. The biggest shift for me has been getting away from being scared that if we load the tissue too much, that's gonna hurt them — versus understanding that actually if you load the tissue more often, more effectively, they're going to be more robust and actually a better athlete.

Mitch Hauschildt: I love that. So we have to load tissue, but then there's this word that keeps coming up — workload. Especially in pro baseball. You go back 50 years and guys were throwing 120, 150 pitches on an outing and coming back three or four days later. Now everything is about how do we manage workloads. How do you balance loading tissue with managing workload?

Corey S. Tremble: I think you have to be really strategic about it and look at it from a slightly different lens. Workload has this negative connotation — like we're going to stop players from playing. Reimagine it: we're going to track workload to give you the ability to do more. We're going to take away some of this fluff that might just be adding to chronic fatigue and we're going to be really intentional with the things that are going to give you the biggest bang for your buck. Instead of the two hour lift, we're going to do a 15 minute lift. Let's figure out how much time do you really need to prep the tissue, how much time do you really need to put the tissue under tension, and let's get minimum effective dose across the board. For instance, our relief pitchers don't throw before the game in the minor leagues. Historically, guys would go throw at 3 or 4 o'clock and then not throw again until 8:30 or 9 at night. Why would you let them throw high intensity at 3 o'clock and then not throw again until game time? It's like sprinting at 3 in the afternoon for your 8 o'clock race. So now if a guy doesn't throw in the game and wants to throw, they play catch after the game. We're putting all of our eggs in the basket of being the best version of ourselves when we're asked to do that in competitive game situations.

Mitch Hauschildt: What I'm hearing is intentionality. Get rid of the junk. Why are we playing catch just to play catch? And I think the workload problem in baseball isn't in game — it's all around the game. A relief pitcher going out there and throwing 16 pitches max effort — it's tough to say that's the workload that's hurting our players. What are the tools your guys are typically using?

Corey S. Tremble: Sure, and I think it's definitely shifted away from pain modulation as our focus. When I got into athletic training, it was stems and ice and how can we just take pain away and stop inflammation from happening. Versus now we're much more into creating inflammation. And there's a difference between throwing the kitchen sink at a player versus stacking the deck. You should know what is creating the change or improvement that you want. It's an easy one to say that red light therapy is an easy add-on to what the athlete's doing — it's an easy piece to add to their treatment process when they're not doing any treatment. If we're being very invasive on a player through needles, through shockwave, through anything really invasive that can cause soreness and kick-up inflammation, and we want to give that player a really good recovery day the next day, there are so many avenues to use red light therapy. It's not a patient-clinician interface that has to happen for it to happen. What can we do to allow athletes to recover well when we as clinicians aren't around them? And this is where I'd always challenge anybody that says a player just needs a treatment day. We're doing treatment to put the tissue in a better spot to go load the tissue again. So it's dry needles, the blood flow restriction machines, the pneumatic devices. And honestly — and I hate saying this because it's what we do for a living — the most inexpensive best way to recover is eat better and sleep better. It's also a big part of our process. Educating on food choices, how much sleep they're getting. It's okay to get 10 hours of sleep as an athlete. Do it. We want that.

Mitch Hauschildt: Yeah. I mean, I love that. And there's a difference between throwing the kitchen sink at somebody and stacking the deck. In our younger years it's like, well, I don't know what to do, so we're just going to throw everything we can think of. Then as you get older and more experienced, you start to look at, okay, I can use this tool for this mechanism, this tool for that mechanism, and I can stack them together. One of my favorite stacks we've discovered with our athletes for bruising — take a quad contusion, a guy takes a foul ball off their shin. We stumbled across this last fall: if we do dry needling with small 15mm needles throughout the area to stimulate lymphatic flow, then do red light over top of that, then put BFR on that extremity at a recovery setting — 4 minutes with 80% occlusion, a minute and a half reperfusion, repeat for 30 minutes — those guys come back the next day looking like nothing ever happened. We're getting lymphatic flow, we're regulating inflammation, and we've got blood flow being flushed into the area. That's stacking, not just throwing stuff.

Corey S. Tremble: Right, and your why is really strong. Athletes are way more well-read now. They are way more intelligent than they probably ever have been. You can't car-sales them into a treatment plan or a rehab program. They really want to know the why and we should be able to tell them it.

Mitch Hauschildt: Talk to me about inflammation because you mentioned you're actually introducing more of it now than you used to.

Corey S. Tremble: In baseball, you have so much that's acute on chronic or chronic — it's constantly trying to play catch up. You never have three days where it's like, okay, we're just going to get this under control. It's just constantly bringing the gauge down. What really changed our mindset is understanding that inflammation wasn't the villain. Our athletes aren't coming in unable to move their elbow because of inflammation. They're sore in their flexor pronator group because of chronic workload. So it's how can we make them feel better, and how can we jumpstart the process. A lot of what we see in baseball — these acute on chronic or chronic tendinopathies — is actually a lack of blood flow, not true inflammation. By kicking it up, we're actually helping the tissue. Stacking the deck: if we use dry needles or BFR to increase blood flow to an area that's going to create some micro damage and kickstart the inflammatory process, what can we do to make sure that inflammation is doing good by us? That's where red light therapy is so great. We know there's going to be traffic, but red light therapy comes in and it's like — I'm the traffic cop. I'll make sure everything goes right. How are we leveraging the healing process? How do we make sure we're not just kicking up inflammation, but making sure that's actually benefiting us and not hurting us?

Mitch Hauschildt: So I'm guessing there's not a lot of ice and NSAIDs in your training room anymore.

Corey S. Tremble: No, we've gotten away from that quite a bit. Ice is for our post-game drinks. That's about it. And where do I put red light therapy in my clinical flow? Exactly what you said — the things we used to heat and ice, replace that with red light therapy. You're going to get a similar pain-relieving effect but now you're getting healing properties, upregulating cellular metabolism, working at a cellular level.

Mitch Hauschildt: Is there anything specific your guys are using red light therapy for in the field?

Corey S. Tremble: We're using it a ton for our post-op UCL reconstructions — putting it right over the elbow. The surgery has evolved now. They don't just reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament — now they're also putting in an internal brace, so there's more tissue and more to heal. We're also seeing more flexor strains on top of the ligament. We're seeing them out front now where it's almost like this eccentric pull off the medial epicondyle — big pronated and supinated pitches held for much longer, so it's this eccentric pull ripping the tendon along with the ligament. There's just so much more damage going on in the elbow than with the traditional Tommy John surgery. So we have pitchers that are two or three years out that will still red light their elbow the day after they pitch, and before they go out to pitch. We're also using it in place of ice — guy fouls a ball off his shin, we're putting that on it instead of a big bag of ice. And it travels really well. Baseball is 81 road games — if we can't travel with it, it's a really tough thing for us to buy. When you showed me what Fringe had, that also changed my mind — it's cost-effective, portable, can be used every single day for every single athlete at some spot in their treatment program.

Mitch Hauschildt: I have personal experience with this — we actually have a case report on the Fringe website of a post-op elbow UCL repair, which happened to be my 16-year-old son. He's a catcher. He evolved a UCL at the distal end when he was 16 — travel ball all spring, caught every game through the high school season, finished districts on a Thursday, and Saturday morning we're playing a travel ball tournament. I used red light with him after surgery, once a day every day, and his outcomes have been phenomenal. Is that the only reason? No, but it was a real game changer compared to ice. And one of the things I want to mention — we just launched our red light mats, a full-body solution. I actually think full-body red light therapy is where we're going to evolve to. There's such a systemic effect. We have so much inflammation in our bodies because of the amount of sugar we consume, the caffeine, the crap we're putting in our bodies, and the lack of sleep. Since I got my red light mat — it's just like a yoga mat with a lot of red light in it, cordless, rolls up — my body feels amazing. I'm 48, I've had six knee surgeries, I've got some miles on my body. I do think we're going to evolve to the point where that is where it's at.

Corey S. Tremble: And that's what you need in baseball — something portable. I can't remember the last time we turned on an ultrasound machine, the therapeutic kind. E-STEM has really kind of died except with dry needles. IFC and all that is just really not it anymore. But the thing that's great about red light is it's like a condiment to some of the other therapies that we're doing. It's not a standalone add-on — it's an add-on in conjunction with. It's not invasive. It's not to the point where we're hurting tissue or hitting on tissue more. A really deep massage, you know that might bring some soreness the next day. Red light isn't going to do that, but it's definitely going to help. That's where it's been the biggest bang for our buck — such a great add-on to what we're already doing.

Mitch Hauschildt: I love that idea of the condiment. You've got your hot dog and it's good — but it's a little bit better when you add some onions, some relish. I'm a ranch guy, so ranch can go on anything. Any final thoughts or pearls for our listeners?

Corey S. Tremble: Stay open-minded. I think all athletic trainers want to say that they're open-minded and constantly learning, and you hear all these buzzwords, but then they always gravitate back to what they know works. Get uncomfortable. Get really comfortable with being uncomfortable. Challenge how you think. Challenge what you believe. And especially for our young clinicians out there — don't be scared to speak up. Inexperience can be a real superpower because you don't have biases. You don't have things that you think work or don't work. Speak up to some old guy like me and say, no, no, why don't we look at this again? I want all of my staff to think independently and critically. Everybody in sports medicine uses the tagline of I'm a career learner — well okay, then be about it. Open up your mind. Be willing to change. And I would say red light is one of the microcosms of that bigger picture thinking. I was not a big fan. I didn't believe in it. And now, from changing the way I thought, I think better.

Mitch Hauschildt: Greatest moments of discomfort are also our greatest opportunities for growth. Red light therapy is all over social media because it looks really good — it looks awesome on Instagram. Us as clinicians, we naturally push back: great for Instagram doesn't mean it actually works. But in this case, you and I agree that we've seen some pretty amazing outcomes with it. It's been a really valuable tool. All right, well on that note, we're gonna sign off. Corey, thank you so much for the time. I always enjoy our conversations. Hopefully I can see you soon in person. And I do have some Marlins gear still in my closet that I pull out every now and then.

Corey S. Tremble: We'll have to get you updated. Wonderful. Thank you.

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Last updated: June 24, 2026
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about the author

Mitch Hauschildt - Sports Medicine Director at Fringe

Mitch Hauschildt, MA, ATC, CSCS, is a certified athletic trainer, educator and the Prevention, Rehab and Physical Performance Coordinator at Missouri State University.

Mitch has spent 18 years at MSU, helping athletes both on and off the field recovery and perform at their best. Mitch’s focus is specifically on performance training, injury prevention and rehab from injuries.

Mitch lectures nationally for TRX, Woodway, Rocktape, Pesi, Master Dry Needling, and Fringe.

Mitch is helping Fringe lead the way with red light therapy as a recovery tool in clinical, team and college settings.

The contents in this blog; such as text, content, graphics are intended for educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider.

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Red Light Therapy for Women's Health: 10 Ways It Can Support Your Body - Fringe

Red Light Therapy for Women's Health: 10 Ways It Can Support Your Body

Introduction Women's health is remarkably complex. Across a lifespan, the female body navigates hormonal cycles, reproductive transitions, and chronic pain conditions that are often underprioritized in conventional medicine. Red Light Therapy (RLT) is one tool that spans a surprisingly wide range of these challenges. RLT uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared (NIR) light to interact with cells and tissues. The primary mechanism is absorption by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, triggering increased ATP production, improved circulation, reduced oxidative stress, and calming of inflammatory signalling pathways. Blue light acts through distinct mechanisms and is particularly relevant for antimicrobial effects and certain inflammatory skin conditions. These cellular effects are foundational biological processes that underlie tissue repair, pain modulation, hormone-sensitive tissue health, skin regeneration, mood regulation, and immune function, which is why RLT has meaningful relevance across so many areas of women's health. At Fringe, we have developed a line of devices designed with women's health in mind: the Fringe Pelvic Wand for internal pelvic use; the Fringe Abdominal Belt and Regular Wrap for external abdominal and pelvic coverage; the Fringe Head Wrap for transcranial applications; the Fringe Face Mask for facial skin health; the Fringe Tiny Wrap for targeted body skin support; the Fringe Joint Wrap for joint-specific applications; the Fringe Extra Long Wrap for larger muscle group coverage; and the Fringe Full Body Mat for whole-body RLT. Top 10 Ways Red Light Therapy Can Support Women's Health 1.  Menopause: Pelvic Comfort, Vaginal Health, and Bladder Support Declining estrogen during menopause drives a cascade of changes in pelvic tissues, collectively referred to as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). This includes thinning and drying of the vaginal walls, reduced elasticity and lubrication, increased tissue fragility, and a shift in vaginal pH that raises susceptibility to infection. These changes contribute to vaginal discomfort, pain with sex, and bladder symptoms including urgency and leakage. RLT supports pelvic tissue health through several mechanisms that are directly relevant to GSM. Red and NIR light stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis in mucosal and connective tissues, improving tissue thickness and resilience. They also improve microcirculation, which supports tissue hydration and the conditions needed for better lubrication. It has been suggested that transvaginal red and NIR light in vaginal atrophy and dryness may improve lubrication, reduce irritation, and support tissue health with consistent use. For urinary incontinence, RLT may support pelvic floor muscle performance and connective tissue integrity. Research has found improvements in stress urinary incontinence when light therapy was combined with pelvic floor exercises, and reduced leakage episodes, improved sexual quality, and pelvic floor muscle strength have been observed with combined light and vibration therapy. For dyspareunia (painful sex), red and NIR light address two of the primary contributing factors: tissue dryness and local inflammation. A recent review further supports the potential of transvaginal RLT to improve vaginal blood flow and tissue regeneration. Recommended products: Fringe Pelvic Wand, Fringe Abdominal Belt or Regular Wrap (external) 2.  Mood Support: Easing the Emotional Weight of Hormonal Shifts Mood fluctuations are woven through virtually every stage of women's reproductive health. PMS, perimenopause, and the postpartum period all bring measurable neurobiological shifts in estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and serotonin that affect emotional regulation, stress resilience, and sleep. These are not simply subjective experiences; they reflect physiological changes with real neurological underpinnings. Transcranial RLT, applied to the head, has emerged as a promising, non-pharmacologic approach for mood support. A recent integrative review in Lasers in Medical Science found that RLT showed improvements in brain activity, reduced anxiety, and antidepressant effects across multiple clinical studies. Similarly, a randomized controlled trial of wearable transcranial RLT for major depressive disorder and sleep further supports its mood-stabilizing and sleep-supportive effects. Since PMS is associated with measurable alterations in sleep architecture and circadian rhythm regulation, and because mood and sleep are tightly coupled, transcranial RLT during the premenstrual window, perimenopausal period, or postpartum recovery may help support both. Recommended products: Fringe Head Wrap 3.  Skin Health: Aging, Conditions, and Post-Procedure Recovery Skin health is deeply connected to women's hormonal biology. Estrogen plays a central role in maintaining skin thickness, collagen content, and moisture, which means the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause often bring visible and uncomfortable skin changes that may be supported by RLT. RLT may also be able to help support skin following aesthetic procedures and during wound healing.  RLT has one of the strongest evidence bases in dermatology, with applications spanning everyday skin aging to chronic inflammatory conditions to aesthetic procedure recovery. A systematic review of LED therapy randomized controlled trials found that red and NIR light can improve wrinkles, skin texture, and elasticity with good tolerability. Clinical trials have further demonstrated significant reduction in periocular wrinkle volume and improvements in under-eye skin texture following consistent RLT. Across these applications, the core mechanisms are consistent: RLT supports mitochondrial energy in skin cells, improves local circulation, and stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin. Blue light adds a distinct layer of benefit through its antimicrobial activity and influence on inflammatory skin immune pathways. Key skin health applications include: Skin Aging: Red and NIR light support collagen and elastin production, improve skin firmness and texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with consistent use. Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Red and NIR light support barrier repair and reduce inflammatory signalling, which may have relevance for eczema, although clinical trials are currently lacking. Blue light has shown clinical benefits for reducing eczema severity and itch. The National Eczema Association acknowledges the growing interest in LED devices, emphasizing conservative dosing and careful wavelength selection. Rosacea: Combined blue and red light therapy has shown improvements in redness and inflammatory lesions in controlled LED protocols. Red-only mode is often the best starting point for those prone to flushing. Psoriasis: In psoriasis, blue light influences immune activity in the skin and may slow excessive skin-cell proliferation, while red and NIR light address deeper inflammatory processes. Wound healing: Red and NIR light support angiogenesis, fibroblast activity, collagen remodelling, and epithelial repair. Blue light adds surface antimicrobial support. Post-procedure recovery (microneedling, chemical peels, laser, Botox, fillers): Red and NIR light introduced after the acute inflammatory phase has resolved can help calm lingering redness and support tissue repair. It is generally recommended to wait 24 to 72 hours after most procedures before applying RLT, though timing should always follow your provider's guidance. Recommended products: Fringe Face Mask; Fringe Tiny Wrap (body skin and wound support) 4.  Menstrual Support: Pre-Menstrual Syndrome and Menstrual Cramps RLT may provide menstrual support to women, including both pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps). These are common experiences that affect the majority of women of reproductive age. Dysmenorrhea arises from uterine contractions driven by prostaglandin release and inflammatory signalling that creates cramping, radiating pelvic pain, and lower back ache. A 2025 systematic review of randomized controlled trials on light-based interventions for primary dysmenorrhea found reductions in pain intensity, decreased inflammatory signalling, and improved comfort with consistent abdominal light application. A randomized multicentre trial comparing RLT directly against the oral contraceptive pill for menstrual pain found that both achieved clinically meaningful reductions in pain, suggesting RLT is a viable non-pharmacologic option. Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) involves a broader constellation of symptoms: mood changes, bloating, sleep disruption, breast tenderness, and fatigue in the days before menstruation. Although no studies have examined PMS as a primary endpoint, adjacent research is relevant. PMS is associated with sleep and circadian rhythm changes, and transcranial RLT has been shown to improve sleep quality and stabilize the sleep-wake cycle. Mood-supportive effects of transcranial RLT, as discussed in section 2, are directly applicable to the luteal phase mood changes that characterize PMS. For abdominal bloating and early cramping that begins before the period, abdominal RLT may also offer comfort support. Recommended products: Fringe Regular Wrap or Abdominal Belt (abdominal and pelvic); Fringe Pelvic Wand (pelvic floor); Fringe Head Wrap (PMS mood and sleep) 5.  Aches and Pains: Joints, Muscles, and Pelvic Discomfort Chronic pain affects women at higher rates than men across virtually every pain category. RLT addresses pain at a fundamental biological level, making it relevant whether the pain is joint, muscular, or pelvic in origin. For osteoarthritis, a clinical study published in the Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine (2024) showed meaningful pain reduction after RLT, and randomized trials have shown additive benefits when light therapy is paired with exercise. For muscle and myofascial pain, research suggests RLT may reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness, improve muscle recovery markers, and support faster return to performance, through enhanced mitochondrial ATP production and reduced inflammatory cascades. For pelvic pain, transvaginal RLT has shown meaningful clinical benefit. A study found that women with chronic pelvic pain experienced reduced symptoms and improved wellbeing following regular transvaginal RLT, with 64.5% of women meeting the threshold for clinically meaningful improvement. Combined with low-level vibration, transvaginal RLT may also help reduce pelvic floor hypertonicity, which is a common contributor to chronic pelvic pain. Recommended products: Pelvic pain: Fringe Pelvic Wand, Regular Wrap, or Abdominal Belt | Joints: Fringe Joint Wrap | Muscles: Fringe Regular Wrap, Extra Long Wrap, or Full Body Mat 6.  Athletic Support and Recovery Women athletes face physiological considerations that are often underrepresented in sports science research, including the influence of the menstrual cycle on training response, recovery, and injury risk, and higher rates of certain injuries such as ACL tears and stress fractures compared to male athletes. RLT is one tool where the underlying mechanisms are directly relevant regardless of sex: the primary mechanism in athletic contexts is mitochondrial: RLT upregulates cytochrome c oxidase activity, enhancing ATP production and cellular energy efficiency. Both pre-exercise and post-exercise application have shown benefits. Pre-exercise light exposure, sometimes called muscular pre-conditioning, has been shown to reduce lactate accumulation, delay the onset of muscle fatigue, and increase the number of repetitions performed before exhaustion. Post-exercise, RLT may reduce markers of muscle damage including creatine kinase, support faster functional recovery, and reduce DOMS. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials found that RLT applied before exercise improved maximum voluntary contraction, oxygen consumption, time to exhaustion, and fatigue markers regardless of dose or wavelength variations. A 2025 comprehensive review further confirms RLT's role in skeletal muscle regeneration through fibroblast stimulation, collagen synthesis, and modulation of inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, supporting its relevance for connective tissue repair and the higher rates of soft tissue injury seen in female athletes. Consistent use in the hours before or after training, rather than sporadically, allows cellular adaptations to compound over time. Full-body RLT extends these benefits systemically, supporting whole-body recovery in a single session. Recommended products: Fringe Joint Wrap, Fringe Regular Wrap, Fringe Extra Long Wrap, Fringe Full Body Mat 7.  Cognitive Health: Focus, Clarity, and Brain Wellness Brain fog, cognitive fatigue, and difficulty concentrating are common complaints during perimenopause, the postpartum period, and in the context of chronic pain and poor sleep. These symptoms reflect real neurobiological changes: altered cerebral blood flow, shifts in neurotransmitter balance, and the effects of sleep disruption on prefrontal function. Transcranial RLT supports mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in neural tissue, improves regional cerebral blood flow, and modulates neuroinflammation. Controlled human studies have demonstrated improved attention, executive function, and memory performance following transcranial RLT, with neuroimaging evidence of increased regional cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity. Transcranial RLT shows promise across a wide range of neurological and psychological conditions, including cognitive impairment, depression, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative disease, through these overlapping cellular mechanisms. For women navigating cognitive shifts at any stage, transcranial RLT offers a gentle, non-pharmacologic option for supporting mental clarity and brain resilience. Recommended products: Fringe Head Wrap 8.  Fertility: Supporting Reproductive Wellness Fertility depends on a constellation of factors including egg quality, hormonal signalling, uterine receptivity, and pelvic blood flow. RLT does not treat infertility, but the cellular mechanisms it targets are directly relevant to reproductive physiology, particularly energy production in reproductive tissues, reduction of oxidative stress, and improvement of circulation. Eggs are among the most energy-demanding cells in the body, and the quality of their energy production is a key determinant of reproductive success. The human evidence, however, is limited to small uncontrolled case series. One case series followed women with unexplained infertility who received red and near infrared light over the lower abdomen and reported pregnancies among participants. An earlier clinic series similarly reported pregnancies when light was used through the pre-conception period. Neither included a control group, so these outcomes cannot be attributed to the light therapy itself. Many people align RLT use with their cycle, focusing on the follicular phase (approximately days 1 to 14). Those preparing for IVF or egg retrieval may consider beginning 2 to 3 months in advance, which aligns with the timeline of follicle development. Recommended products: Fringe Pelvic Wand (transvaginal), Fringe Abdominal Belt or Regular Wrap (external abdominal) 9.  Pregnancy and Postpartum Support During pregnancy, RLT is generally considered safe when applied appropriately. Direct use over the abdomen is not recommended as a precaution. Common supportive applications include back, hip, and pelvic discomfort from postural changes and increased load; neck and shoulder tension; leg and foot heaviness and swelling; and mood and sleep support. Sessions on non-abdominal areas complement standard prenatal wellness practices. Postpartum recovery places significant demands on the body. For C-section recovery, research has demonstrated that red and NIR light can reduce postoperative pain, decrease inflammation, and improve tissue healing. For perineal wounds and episiotomy repair, research shows light exposure reduces pain and supports faster tissue recovery. Light therapy should only begin once wounds are fully closed and a clinician has confirmed it is safe. For postpartum pelvic floor recovery, transvaginal RLT may support tissue repair and complement pelvic floor physiotherapy once cleared for internal use. Research also suggests that red light therapy may offer benefits for breastfeeding-related discomfort. A review of studies looking at breastfeeding nipple trauma found that light therapy showed a trend toward reduced pain and improved. Another study observed reduced nipple pain and inflammation, as well as increased milk production when low-level light was used during breastfeeding. These findings suggest that red light therapy may be a gentle, non-invasive way to support comfort and continuation of breastfeeding. Recommended products: Fringe Pelvic Wand (with timing and clinician clearance); Fringe Abdominal Belt or Regular Wrap; Fringe Head Wrap (mood and sleep); Fringe Panel or Wrap (breastfeeding and musculoskeletal support during pregnancy)                                           10.  Pelvic Diseases: Endometriosis, PCOS, Interstitial Cystitis, and Microbiome Support A number of chronic pelvic conditions disproportionately affect women and are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. RLT is not a treatment for any of these conditions, but may offer meaningful supportive benefits for pelvic comfort, tissue health, and the shared underlying mechanisms of inflammation and microvascular dysfunction.     Endometriosis: Involves chronic inflammation, pelvic floor tension, and persistent pain that can radiate through the abdomen, pelvis, and lower back. A small 2022 study without a control group, presented at a gynecology conference, followed 48 women receiving transvaginal red and NIR light; over eight weeks, the share reporting moderate-to-severe pelvic pain fell from about 86% to 44%. Without a comparison group these results are preliminary, but external abdominal RLT may offer additional comfort support. PCOS: Preclinical research shows that red and NIR light may help normalize aspects of ovarian function and reduce inflammation associated with PCOS. Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome: A 2022 study found that red and NIR light applied to the suprapubic and pelvic-floor regions improved validated IC/BPS symptom indices including pain, urgency, and urinary frequency. Vaginal microbiome support: Emerging research suggests that RLT may help support a healthier vaginal environment by reducing inflammation, supporting beneficial bacterial activity, and modulating the immune response in vaginal tissues. Blue light adds a direct antimicrobial dimension, helping to discourage pathogenic organisms at the surface. Recommended products: Fringe Pelvic Wand; Fringe Abdominal Belt or Regular Wrap; Fringe Face Mask (PCOS acne) How to Use Red Light Therapy for Women's Health A wide range of Fringe devices can be used to support women’s health, including: Fringe Pelvic Wand — Transvaginal application with red, NIR, and blue light modes, plus vibration. Can also be applied to the external genitals. Applications: vaginal dryness and atrophy, dyspareunia, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, menstrual cramps, endometriosis, PCOS, IC/BPS, fertility support, postpartum pelvic recovery (with clinician clearance), vaginal microbiome support. Fringe Abdominal Belt / Regular Wrap — External red and NIR light over the lower abdomen and pelvis. Applications: menstrual cramps, PMS abdominal discomfort, pelvic pain, fertility, postpartum abdominal recovery, endometriosis, PCOS. Fringe Head Wrap — Transcranial red and NIR light for brain-targeted applications. Applications: PMS mood and sleep, perimenopausal mood shifts, postpartum mood support, cognitive health, brain fog. Fringe Face Mask — Red, NIR, and blue light for the face. Applications: skin aging, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, melasma (conservative protocol), vitiligo (exploratory), PCOS acne, post-procedure recovery support. Fringe Tiny Wrap — Compact targeted device with red, NIR, and blue light. Applications: body eczema, wound healing, localized inflammatory skin conditions. Fringe Joint Wrap — Joint-contoured red and NIR light with optional vibration. Applications: osteoarthritis, joint pain, athletic joint recovery. Fringe Regular Wrap / Extra Long Wrap — Large surface area red and NIR light. Applications: DOMS, myofascial pain, athletic recovery, back pain, pregnancy musculoskeletal support (away from abdomen). Fringe Full Body Mat — Whole-body red and NIR light. Applications: systemic recovery, broad musculoskeletal support, general wellness, athletic recovery. Light: Red and NIR light are the primary therapeutic wavelengths in RLT, and both are present in nearly all Fringe devices. Though their effects overlap, they differ in how deeply they penetrate tissue. Red light (typically 630 to 660 nm) is absorbed strongly in the skin and superficial tissues, making it particularly effective for collagen production, surface skin health, and tissue healing in areas close to the body's surface. NIR light (typically 810 to 850 nm) is less absorbed by surface tissue and penetrates more deeply, reaching muscles, joints, and deeper pelvic structures. This is why NIR is especially important for applications like athletic recovery, joint support, and transvaginal use. When used together, red and NIR light produce complementary and overlapping effects that benefit both superficial and deep tissues. Red light on its own (without NIR) may be preferred when heat sensitivity is a concern, for more delicate skin conditions like rosacea or melasma, when starting a new protocol and wanting a gentler introduction, or for conditions where surface-level effects are the primary goal and deeper penetration is less critical. Fringe devices vary in the number of light wavelengths and modes they offer. The Pelvic Wand, Face Mask, and Tiny Wrap each offer three modes, allowing you to choose between combined red and NIR light, blue light only, or red light only depending on your goals and sensitivity. The Head Wrap delivers three wavelengths of light, including red, NIR, and a longer NIR wavelength at 1050 nm that is unique to this device and chosen specifically to support brain health applications. The remaining devices, including the Regular Wrap, Extra Long Wrap, Joint Wrap, and Full Body Mat, deliver red and NIR light in a single combined mode with adjustable intensity. Intensity: All Fringe devices allow you to reduce light intensity to 50% by pressing the sun button. Reduced intensity is recommended when starting a new device or application, when using RLT on sensitive or reactive skin (rosacea, eczema flares, post-procedure recovery), when using the Pelvic Wand internally for the first time or after a break, and as a starting point during pregnancy or early postpartum. Full intensity is appropriate for most established uses once comfort is confirmed. Frequency: For most applications, 3 to 5 sessions per week is the standard recommendation. This frequency allows cells to recover and respond between sessions and aligns with research showing sustained benefits from consistent use. Daily use is safe but does not typically produce faster results than the recommended frequency. Some situations call for more frequent use: During active menstrual cramps, up to daily use is appropriate for abdominal and pelvic applications. In the 24 to 48 hours following intense training, daily use is appropriate for muscle and joint recovery. Blue light (Mode 2) should be limited to 2 to 3 times per week for active concerns, and 1 to 2 times per week for maintenance. Duration: Fringe devices have built-in timers that automatically end sessions at the recommended duration, so you do not need to time sessions manually. The Fringe Pelvic Wand, Tiny Wrap and Face mask have a 10-minute timer. Body wraps, the Head Wrap, and the Full Body Mat are set to 20 minutes. For conservative protocols (melasma, rosacea, post-procedure recovery, or first-time use of any device), starting with a 5-minute session and increasing gradually is advisable. Post-procedure use should always begin shorter and increase only if the skin remains calm. Conclusion Women's health is not a single issue but a lifelong journey through shifting biology, changing needs, and often inadequate support from conventional medicine. What makes RLT a compelling tool in this context is not that it addresses one condition, but that it operates at the level of cellular function, improving how cells produce energy, manage inflammation, and repair tissue. These are processes that matter across every stage of a woman's life, from the menstrual cycle to fertility to menopause and beyond. The research supporting RLT across these applications is growing, and while more dedicated clinical trials are still needed in some areas, the mechanistic foundation is well established, and the safety profile is excellent. Used consistently, as part of a broader approach to health, and alongside appropriate medical care, RLT offers women a non-invasive, evidence-informed tool that can be woven into daily life at home. Disclaimer: This information is for general wellness and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Fringe devices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Individual results may vary. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any red light therapy regimen, especially if you have a medical condition or are under medical supervision.  

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How Red Light Therapy Supports Abdominal and Pelvic Health - Fringe

How Red Light Therapy Supports Abdominal and Pelvic Health

Why Abdominal and Pelvic Health Matter The abdomen is home to several of the body’s most important systems. Within this relatively small region are the digestive organs, reproductive organs, bladder, major immune tissues, and a large network of nerves that connect the gut to the brain. When these systems function well, they support digestion, metabolism, hormonal balance, immune function, and overall wellbeing. When they become disrupted, the effects can be widespread. Many common health concerns originate in, or strongly involve, the abdominal and pelvic region. Conditions such as digestive disorders, menstrual pain, bladder dysfunction, and pelvic pain affect millions of people and can significantly impact daily life. In many cases, these conditions involve complex interactions between inflammation, circulation, nerve signaling, and tissue health. Because of this complexity, researchers have increasingly explored non-invasive approaches that support the body’s natural repair and regulatory processes. One area of growing interest is Red Light Therapy (RLT), using red and near infrared light. These wavelengths of light interact with cells in ways that can influence energy production, inflammation, circulation, and tissue recovery. In recent years, scientists have begun studying how these effects may apply not only to skin and muscles, but also to deeper tissues within the abdomen and pelvis. This emerging research is opening the door to new ways of supporting digestive health, reproductive health, bladder function, and recovery from abdominal injury. How Red and Near Infrared Light Affect Abdominal Tissues Red and near infrared light therapy works by delivering specific wavelengths of light that interact with cells and tissues. When these wavelengths are absorbed by cellular structures, they can influence several biological processes involved in energy production, circulation, inflammation, and tissue repair. One of the most studied mechanisms involves the mitochondria, the structures within cells responsible for producing energy. Red and near infrared light are absorbed by molecules within the mitochondrial respiratory chain, which can improve cellular energy production and support normal metabolic function. Increased cellular energy can help tissues repair, recover, and function more efficiently. These wavelengths of light can also influence nitric oxide signaling in the body. Nitric oxide is a molecule that helps regulate blood flow and circulation. When circulation improves, tissues receive more oxygen and nutrients while metabolic waste products are cleared more efficiently. This effect may be particularly relevant in the abdomen and pelvis, where many conditions involve impaired circulation or chronic inflammation. Another important effect of red and near infrared light therapy is its ability to modulate inflammation. Numerous studies have shown that these wavelengths can influence inflammatory signaling pathways and support the body’s natural healing processes. Because many abdominal and pelvic conditions involve inflammatory mechanisms, researchers have increasingly explored light therapy as a potential supportive tool. Near infrared wavelengths are especially relevant for abdominal applications because they penetrate deeper into tissue than visible red light. This allows light energy to reach structures beneath the skin, including muscles, connective tissue, and deeper organs within the abdominal region. The Fringe Abdominal Belt uses three wavelengths that have been widely studied in light therapy research. The device delivers red light at 660 nm along with near infrared light at 850 nm and 1050 nm. Together, these wavelengths are designed to support both surface tissues and deeper structures within the abdomen and pelvis, and to have broad effects on cells and other structures in the abdomen (such as water). Introducing the Fringe Abdominal Belt The Fringe Abdominal Belt was designed to deliver red and near infrared light therapy directly to the abdominal and pelvic region in a simple, comfortable format. The device contains 135 LEDs that emit three wavelengths of therapeutic light: red light at 660 nm and near infrared light at 850 nm and 1050 nm. These wavelengths have been widely studied for their ability to support cellular energy production, circulation, tissue repair, and inflammation balance. While red light primarily interacts with tissues closer to the surface, near infrared light penetrates more deeply, allowing light energy to reach muscles, connective tissue, and other structures within the abdominal region. Here are some applications for each of the three wavelengths: 660 nm (Red Light): A very well-studied wavelength, 660nm is well absorbed in skin and superficial tissues, making this wavelength ideal for improving circulation and reducing inflammation near the skin’s surface. It also supports collagen production, accelerates wound healing, and promotes dermal regeneration. The 660nm wavelength also reduces oxidative stress and improves functionality of tissues. 850 nm (Near-Infrared Light): A well-studied NIR wavelength that penetrates more deeply into muscle and connective tissue, 850 nm is widely studied for its effects on mitochondrial ATP production, pain modulation, and nerve repair. Near-infrared light in this range activates cytochrome c oxidase and is frequently used in both sport recovery and neurological research. 1050nm (Near-Infrared Light): This longer wavelength near-infrared light has an effect on water, which may influence intracellular and extracellular water viscosity, potentially enhancing mitochondrial efficiency and protein dynamics. To make sessions convenient and accessible, the Abdominal Belt is fully portable and wireless. The device can be comfortably secured around the abdomen using an adjustable belt, allowing it to be worn while sitting, resting, or relaxing. This design makes it easy to position the device over areas such as the lower abdomen, pelvic region, bladder area, or digestive organs. In addition to light therapy, the Abdominal Belt also includes optional vibration therapy. Gentle vibration can support circulation and relaxation of abdominal muscles and may reduce pain and enhance comfort when using the device for pelvic or digestive concerns. Because the abdomen contains several interconnected systems including the digestive tract, reproductive organs, bladder, and large networks of nerves and immune tissues, supporting this region may have wide ranging effects on health. For this reason, researchers have begun exploring how RLT may help support a variety of abdominal and pelvic conditions. In the following sections, we will look at some of the most commonly studied and emerging applications of RLT for abdominal and pelvic health. Shop the Abdominal Belt Top Uses of Red Light Therapy for Abdominal and Pelvic Health The abdomen and pelvis contain several interconnected systems, including the digestive tract, reproductive organs, bladder, and large networks of nerves and immune tissues. Many common health concerns affecting this region involve inflammation, impaired circulation, muscle tension, and altered nerve signaling. Because red and near infrared light therapy can influence these biological processes, researchers have begun studying its potential role in supporting a variety of abdominal and pelvic conditions. The following sections highlight several areas where light therapy has been investigated or is emerging as a promising supportive approach. Pelvic pain. Chronic pelvic pain can arise from many causes, including muscle tension in the pelvic floor, inflammation of pelvic tissues, and altered nerve signaling. Red and near infrared light therapy has been studied as a non-invasive approach to help support tissue recovery and reduce pain in this region. Clinical studies investigating RLT for pelvic pain have reported meaningful reductions in pain severity and improvements in daily function, likely related to improved circulation, reduced inflammatory signaling, and better cellular energy production within affected tissues. While many of these studies used internal delivery methods, the underlying mechanisms they demonstrate may also be relevant to external light therapy applied over the lower abdomen and pelvic region. Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps). Dysmenorrhea, or painful menstrual cramps, affects a large proportion of menstruating women and is primarily driven by elevated prostaglandins that cause strong uterine contractions, inflammation, and reduced blood flow to uterine tissue. Research has begun exploring red and near infrared light therapy as a non-pharmacologic option for menstrual pain. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials involving 645 participants found that light therapy significantly reduced menstrual pain compared with sham exposure after repeated use, with improvements typically observed over multiple menstrual cycles. The strongest evidence so far involves ~20-minute sessions once daily applied over the lower abdomen for several days around menstruation, repeated across multiple cycles. Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often leading to persistent pelvic pain, painful periods, and abdominal discomfort. Because inflammation, altered nerve signaling, and impaired circulation contribute to symptoms, researchers have begun exploring whether red and near infrared light therapy may help support comfort. Red light therapy is not a treatment or cure for endometriosis, and the human research so far is early and limited: in one small study without a control group, presented at a 2022 gynecology conference, women with endometriosis-related pelvic pain reported less pain after eight weeks of internally delivered light therapy. Because the study had no comparison group, it is not possible to know how much of that change came from the light itself rather than from other factors. These early findings are encouraging but preliminary. They point to light therapy applied over the lower abdomen and pelvic region as a gentle, non-invasive way to support comfort for people living with endometriosis, rather than as a way to treat the condition itself. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex condition involving hormonal imbalance, ovarian dysfunction, inflammation, and metabolic changes that can affect the reproductive system, skin, and energy metabolism. Red light therapy is not a treatment for PCOS, and it has not yet been studied in people with the condition. So far the evidence comes only from laboratory and animal research. These studies suggest that red and near infrared light may support healthier ovarian function by improving mitochondrial activity, reducing oxidative stress, and helping regulate inflammatory and endocrine signaling pathways. These effects have been associated with improvements in ovarian morphology, hormone balance, and cycle regulation in experimental models. Whether the same holds true in people has not yet been tested, but these early findings suggest that light therapy applied over the lower abdomen may be a gentle way to support pelvic tissue health and metabolic balance in people living with PCOS. Fertility support. Fertility depends on many factors, including ovarian health, egg quality, endometrial receptivity, and adequate blood flow to reproductive tissues. Red light therapy does not treat infertility, but the cellular processes it influences—mitochondrial energy production, oxidative stress, and circulation within ovarian and uterine tissues—are relevant to reproductive physiology. Laboratory and animal studies suggest that red light therapy may improve ovarian cell function, hormone balance, and follicle development while reducing inflammation and oxidative damage, though these are laboratory and animal findings that may not translate directly to people. In women, the published evidence is limited to small case series without control groups. One such case series followed women with unexplained infertility who received multiwavelength red and near infrared light over areas related to blood flow, including the area over the abdomen, and reported pregnancies among participants. Because there was no comparison group, it is not possible to attribute these outcomes to the light therapy itself. Because the human research in this area is still early and uncontrolled, light therapy is best thought of as a low-risk way to support reproductive tissue health and circulation during the preconception period, rather than as a fertility treatment.  Overactive bladder. Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and sometimes urge incontinence, often caused by involuntary contractions of the bladder’s smooth muscle. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated a skin-adhesive light therapy device applied to the lower abdomen in people with OAB. After 12 weeks of sessions, participants using active light therapy experienced significantly greater reductions in daily urge urinary incontinence episodes and overall incontinence compared with the sham group, and more than two-thirds of participants achieved a ≥50% reduction in symptoms. The therapy was also well tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. These findings suggest that light therapy may help support bladder function by relaxing smooth muscle and improving pelvic circulation. Gut microbiome. The gut microbiome plays a central role in digestion, immune regulation, inflammation, and metabolic health. Emerging research suggests that red and near infrared light therapy applied to the abdomen may influence microbial balance in the gut. Experimental studies show that abdominal RLT can help preserve intestinal epithelial integrity and shift microbial populations toward beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which support gut barrier health and reduce inflammation. Additional research has proposed the concept of “photobiomics,” in which red and near infrared light influence host metabolism, immune signaling, and microbial composition simultaneously, suggesting a potential pathway by which light therapy may support whole-body health through gut microbiome interactions. Gut–brain axis. The gut and brain communicate continuously through immune, metabolic, hormonal, and neural pathways collectively known as the gut–brain axis. Disruptions in gut microbial balance can contribute to systemic inflammation, altered neurotransmitter signaling, and neuroinflammation that affect mood, cognition, and neurological health. This may play a role in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Emerging research suggests that red and near infrared light therapy applied to the abdomen may influence this axis by improving mitochondrial function, reducing inflammatory signaling, and modulating the gut microbiome. Preclinical and translational studies show that abdominal RLT can alter microbial composition, improve intestinal barrier function, and influence brain-related outcomes such as cognition, stress responses, and neuroinflammation. Experimental brain–gut RLT research further suggest that combined light exposure can restore stress-related cognitive changes while simultaneously modulating the gut microbiome and inflammatory signaling pathways. Gut diseases (IBS, IBD, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis). Chronic gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis are characterized by intestinal inflammation, barrier dysfunction, altered immune signaling, and changes in the gut microbiome. Emerging research suggests that red and near infrared light therapy applied to the abdomen may help modulate several of these underlying mechanisms. Preclinical studies of ulcerative colitis models show that abdominal RLT can reduce inflammatory cytokines, decrease immune cell infiltration, and improve intestinal tissue structure and mucosal integrity. Additional experimental research suggests that light therapy may also influence gut microbiota diversity and immune pathways involved in inflammatory bowel disease progression. While human clinical research is still limited, these findings highlight a growing interest in light therapy as a supportive, non-invasive approach for intestinal health conditions. Abdominal wounds and surgical recovery. Red and near infrared light therapy have been widely studied for their ability to support tissue repair and wound healing. These wavelengths are known to influence key stages of healing by improving local circulation, supporting collagen production, and helping regulate inflammatory signaling. Research across a range of wound models shows that light exposure can enhance angiogenesis, fibroblast activity, and epithelial repair, creating conditions that support faster and more organized tissue recovery. Clinical studies have also explored postoperative applications, including recovery after abdominal surgery such as C-section incisions, where light therapy has been associated with reduced pain, improved tissue healing, and greater comfort during recovery once the incision is closed and cleared for light therapy by a medical provider. These findings suggest that targeted abdominal light therapy may be a supportive tool for people recovering from surgical wounds or other abdominal tissue injuries when used alongside appropriate medical care. Abdominal metabolic health and body composition. Abdominal fat is not just a storage tissue—it is metabolically active and closely linked to inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and hormonal signaling. Red and near-infrared light have been studied for their effects on cellular metabolism and adipose tissue biology. Studies suggest that light exposure can influence mitochondrial activity, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory pathways within adipocytes. In human studies using red light therapy applied to the waist and abdomen, participants have shown modest reductions in waist circumference and improvements in body contour compared with control groups. While these findings do not suggest that light therapy directly “melts fat,” they support the idea that improving local circulation, mitochondrial function, and metabolic signaling in abdominal tissues may influence body composition over time. These emerging findings highlight a potential role for abdominal light therapy as a supportive tool for metabolic health when combined with nutrition, movement, and other lifestyle strategies.                 How to Use the Fringe Abdominal Belt The Fringe Abdominal Belt is designed to deliver red and near-infrared light comfortably across the lower abdomen using a flexible, wearable design. The device contains 135 LEDs emitting 660 nm red light, 850 nm near-infrared light, and 1050 nm near-infrared light, allowing light to interact with both surface tissues and deeper abdominal structures. The belt also includes optional vibration therapy and a removable strap so the device can be worn comfortably during sessions.   General Use: For most wellness goals, the Abdominal Belt can be used: • 3–5 sessions per week• 10–20 minutes per session The device includes a built-in timer for both 10-minute and 20-minute sessions, making it easy to follow a consistent routine. The light intensity can also be adjusted. At full intensity, the device delivers approximately 20–40 mW/cm² at the body surface. Users who prefer a more gentle session can reduce the intensity to 50%, which may be helpful for those who are sensitive to warmth or beginning light therapy for the first time. Positioning: Place the device directly over the lower abdomen, centered between the hips. The removable belt can be used to secure the device comfortably so the light panel stays in place during sessions. The belt can be worn while resting, sitting, or lying down. Using Vibration Therapy: The Abdominal Belt includes optional vibration therapy, which can be used alongside the light session. Gentle vibration may help relax abdominal muscles and improve local circulation, which some people find helpful when experiencing pelvic or abdominal discomfort. Vibration can be turned on or off depending on personal preference. Frequency Adjustments for Specific Needs: While most people benefit from 3–5 sessions per week, frequency can be adjusted depending on the goal. For example: • Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea): daily sessions during the painful portion of the menstrual cycle may be helpful. • General abdominal or pelvic wellness: 3–5 sessions per week is typically sufficient. • Sensitive users: begin with shorter sessions or reduced intensity and increase gradually as comfortable. As with all light therapy devices, consistency tends to produce the most noticeable results over time. Conclusion The abdomen is home to many interconnected systems that influence overall health, including the digestive organs, reproductive tissues, immune signaling pathways, and the gut microbiome. Because these systems are metabolically active and closely linked to inflammation, circulation, and cellular energy production, the abdominal region is an important target for supportive wellness therapies. Red and near-infrared light therapy have been studied across a wide range of biological processes relevant to abdominal health, including tissue repair, inflammation regulation, mitochondrial function, and microbial balance. Emerging research suggests that these mechanisms may influence diverse areas such as pelvic pain, menstrual discomfort, gut health, metabolic signaling, and postoperative tissue recovery. While the strength of evidence varies depending on the condition, the growing body of research highlights the broad biological activity of light within human tissues. The Fringe Abdominal Belt was designed to deliver these wavelengths comfortably and conveniently to the lower abdomen using 660 nm red light, 850 nm near-infrared light, and 1050 nm near-infrared light, combined with optional vibration therapy. With its wearable design, adjustable intensity, and built-in session timer, the belt allows users to integrate light therapy into regular wellness routines at home. Shop the Abdominal Belt As research into light therapy continues to expand, abdominal applications represent an exciting area of investigation. By supporting fundamental biological processes such as cellular energy production, circulation, and inflammation balance, targeted light therapy may offer a gentle and non-invasive way to support abdominal and pelvic wellness as part of a broader approach to health.

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Introducing the Fringe Red Light Therapy Clinical Pad - Fringe

Introducing the Fringe Red Light Therapy Clinical Pad

Red light therapy (RLT) (also known as photobiomodulation) is increasingly used in both clinical and home settings to support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote recovery. The therapy works by delivering specific wavelengths of red and near infrared light to the body, where they influence many cellular processes, most notably mitochondrial energy production. By increasing the availability of ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell, RLT can support healing, maintenance, and repair across many types of tissues.  Over the past decade, wearable RLT devices have made this technology accessible outside of specialized clinics. Devices such as wraps and panels allow targeted light delivery to joints, muscles, and skin, making it possible to use light therapy at home as part of a regular wellness routine. At Fringe, our RLT products were designed to deliver wavelengths and light intensities that closely resemble the therapeutic portion of natural sunlight, which research suggests falls within an effective biological range.  While wearable wraps remain one of the most versatile ways to apply RLT, some environments require equipment that can withstand more demanding conditions. Clinical settings, athletic training facilities, and veterinary environments often require devices that are durable, easy to disinfect, and resistant to sweat, oils, and hair. The Fringe Red Light Therapy Clinical Pad was designed with these environments in mind. Made from medical-grade silicone and powered by high-density LED light arrays delivering both red (660 nm) and near infrared (850 nm) wavelengths, the Clinical Pad provides the same therapeutic light exposure as our standard wraps while offering a surface that can be easily cleaned and disinfected between uses. What Makes the Clinical Pad Different from a Standard Wrap The Fringe Red Light Therapy Wrap remains one of the most versatile ways to apply red and near infrared light therapy. Its soft neoprene design makes it comfortable to wear and easy to position around many parts of the body, which makes it ideal for home use and for people who want a flexible wearable device. The Fringe Red Light Therapy Clinical Pad, however, was designed for situations where durability, hygiene, and ease of cleaning are especially important. Because of this design, the Clinical Pad may be particularly useful in situations such as: Clinical settings such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, and sports medicine clinics where devices need to be disinfected between patients. Athletic recovery environments, where sweat and skin oils can quickly accumulate on equipment. Veterinary and animal care, since silicone surfaces do not trap fur and can be easily cleaned after treating animals. Skin and dermatological applications, where hygienic surfaces are important when treating acne-prone skin or other conditions that benefit from careful cleaning between sessions. Both the Clinical Pad and the standard Fringe Wrap deliver the same therapeutic wavelengths and light intensity, meaning the biological effects of the light remain the same. The difference lies primarily in the material and the environments in which the device is most practical to use. Common Uses for the Fringe Red Light Therapy Clinical Pad Red and near infrared light therapy have been studied for a wide range of health applications. By supporting mitochondrial energy production and influencing cellular signaling pathways involved in inflammation and repair, these wavelengths can promote healing and recovery in many different tissues.  Because the Clinical Pad can be easily positioned over many parts of the body, it can be used for many of the same applications as other Fringe red light therapy devices. Common uses include: Joint and muscle painRed light therapy has been studied for pain associated with joints, muscles, and connective tissue. Research suggests that red and near infrared light may help reduce inflammation and influence nerve signaling related to pain perception.  Tendon and soft tissue injuriesLight therapy has been shown to support tissue repair by influencing cellular metabolism and collagen production, both of which play important roles in healing injured tissues such as tendons and muscle.  Post-exercise recoveryAthletes often use red light therapy to support muscle recovery after training. Studies suggest it may help reduce muscle fatigue, decrease inflammation, and improve recovery between training sessions.  Skin health and wound healingRed light therapy is widely used in dermatology and skin care because of its ability to support tissue repair and collagen production. It has been studied for applications including acne, scarring, and wound healing.  General inflammation supportBecause inflammation is involved in many different health conditions, the anti-inflammatory effects of red and near infrared light may contribute to benefits across a wide range of tissues and systems.  Like other Fringe red light therapy devices, the Clinical Pad delivers light at intensities designed to mimic the beneficial wavelengths of natural sunlight, allowing users to apply light therapy safely and conveniently to targeted areas of the body.                How to Use the Fringe Red Light Therapy Clinical Pad The Fringe Red Light Therapy Clinical Pad is designed to make light therapy simple and easy to integrate into daily routines. Because the pad is flexible and lightweight, it can be placed directly on the skin over joints, muscles, or other target areas.     Session duration The Clinical Pad includes built-in timers for both 10-minute and 20-minute sessions, which helps ensure consistent session times. These durations fall within the range commonly used in red light therapy research and help keep sessions within the therapeutic window. Light intensity The device allows the light intensity to be adjusted to either 100% or 50% power. Most users will use the full intensity setting, which delivers light in the approximate range of 20–40 mW/cm² at the skin. This intensity is similar to the therapeutic wavelengths of sunlight and falls within the range commonly used in light therapy studies.  The 50% setting can be useful for people with more sensitive skin or when treating areas that may feel more sensitive to warmth. Session frequency For most applications, we recommend that RLT be used 3–5 times per week, with one session per day on the same area of the body. This is because the biological effects of light therapy can persist for 24–48 hours, meaning that repeated sessions on the same area within a short time frame may not provide additional benefit. It is also safe to use RLT daily, although doing it more often does not necessarily lead to faster results. Placement For best results, the pad should be placed directly against the skin over the area you wish to treat. Direct contact reduces light reflection and helps maximize the amount of light absorbed by the tissue. The flexible design allows the Clinical Pad to be used over many areas of the body, including: • joints such as the knee, shoulder, or elbow• large muscle groups such as the back or thighs• localized areas of pain or inflammation• skin areas requiring targeted light exposure Because the pad is wireless and portable, sessions can be done while sitting, resting, or lying down, making it easy to incorporate into daily routines. Cleaning the Clinical Pad One of the key advantages of the Fringe Red Light Therapy Clinical Pad is its medical-grade silicone surface, which allows the device to be easily cleaned and disinfected between uses. Unlike fabric-based devices, silicone does not absorb sweat, oils, lotions, or other substances that may come into contact with the surface during sessions. This makes the Clinical Pad well suited for environments where hygiene is important, including clinics, athletic facilities, and veterinary settings. To clean the Clinical Pad: • Wipe the silicone surface with a disinfecting wipe or cleaning solution that is safe for medical-grade silicone, such as alcohol-based disinfectant wipes commonly used in clinical settings.• Allow the surface to air dry before the next use.• Avoid soaking the device or allowing liquid to enter the charging port or control unit. Regular cleaning helps maintain a hygienic surface and allows the Clinical Pad to be used safely across multiple sessions. This easy cleaning process is one of the reasons the Clinical Pad is particularly useful in professional environments where equipment may be used repeatedly throughout the day. Conclusion Red light therapy has become an increasingly popular way to support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote recovery across a wide range of applications. As interest in light therapy continues to grow, so does the need for devices that can be used in a variety of environments beyond the home. The Fringe Red Light Therapy Clinical Pad was designed to meet this need. By combining the same therapeutic red and near infrared light used in our standard wraps with a medical-grade silicone surface, the Clinical Pad offers a durable and hygienic option that can be easily cleaned between uses. Whether used in clinical practices, athletic recovery settings, veterinary care, or home environments where easy cleaning is important, the Clinical Pad provides a flexible and practical way to deliver targeted light therapy to the body.  

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