Infrared Light Therapy Is More Affordable Than Your Patients May Think

Peripheral neuropathy, a debilitating condition affecting millions, manifests in persistent numbness, tingling, burning pain, and muscle weakness. For sufferers, the discomfort is often relentless, compromising their ability to sleep, work, and enjoy life. Confronted with this chronic condition, patients frequently turn to prescription medications. While these may offer temporary relief, they often come with high recurring costs, potential side effects, and diminishing returns. 

Coupled with the NeuropaCalm Care Program’s infrared light therapy approach, however, patients can enjoy symptomatic pain relief while focusing on better long-term healthcare management. Yet, some medical professionals fear the upfront cost of infrared light therapy devices may deter patients. Keep reading to learn why investing in infrared light therapy along with more standard interventions may be the better medical decision and smarter economic choice for your patients.

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Diminishing Returns Over Time

To understand the financial argument, let’s look at what patients already spend on pharmaceutical treatments for peripheral neuropathy. The most common medications include gabapentin, pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and tricyclic antidepressants. These are not cures. They are symptom managers that target different facets of pain, providing temporary relief. 

Depending on insurance coverage, a month's supply of these medications can cost between $50 and $600. If we conservatively estimate $150 per month for a single medication, that adds up to $1,800 annually. Many patients take these drugs for years, noticing diminishing returns over time. In our example, within five years, the cost skyrockets to $9,000, without factoring in price increases, insurance co-pays, doctor visits for refills, and potential medication changes due to side effects or inefficacy. 

While we don’t advocate NeuropaCalm as an alternative or replacement for pharmaceuticals, when the modalities are combined, many medical professionals see better patient outcomes with longer term results. In other words, physicians skilled in combining therapeutic options provide their patients with better long-term prognoses and fewer overall costs. Many patients who use light therapy in conjunction with prescriptions avoid overuse, unnecessary side effects, and diminishing health and financial returns over time. 

Infrared Light Therapy: A Long-Term Investment

Infrared light therapy, more specifically near-infrared and red-light wavelengths, offers a fundamentally different approach. Instead of masking symptoms, it stimulates blood flow, reduces inflammation, and promotes the regeneration of damaged nerves. Over time, it may potentially reverse the effects of neuropathy in some patients.

At the heart of the NeuropaCalm Care Program approach is our competitively priced, at-home infrared light therapy device. At first glance, the price tag may seem steep. However, it’s crucial to consider what patients are paying every month for pharmaceuticals. For many, the cost of a single device is equivalent to just a few months of prescription medications. And after the initial purchase, the cost of therapy is essentially zero. No monthly co-pays, no side effects to treat, and no repeat pharmacy trips.

While we do not recommend an either-or approach regarding prescription drugs, they work well in concert, masking unwanted systems in the present while providing hope for the future. Moreover, infrared therapy devices do not expire. Our durable models are built to last three to five years or longer. If a patient uses the device consistently, the cost per treatment session drops dramatically, often to less than $1 per session within the first year, providing additional support and long-term investment in better overall health outcomes. 

Clinical Efficacy Supports the Investment
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While the financial logic is clear, it’s natural for patients to ask: Does it actually work?
Clinical research strongly supports the use of infrared light therapy for neuropathy. Studies have concluded that consistent use of near-infrared light therapy leads to a statistically significant reduction in pain and improved sensation in diabetic neuropathy patients. Other studies point to improved balance and decreased fall risk due to enhanced nerve function.
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The critical takeaway is that infrared therapy does more than suppress symptoms. It promotes healing. For patients, this means a potential reduction in their dependence on medications, translating into more savings and fewer side effects.

Hidden Costs of Not Investing in a Device

Delaying or avoiding the purchase of a light therapy device due to the upfront cost may seem practical in the short term. But long term, it’s financially counterproductive. Here’s why:

• Missed Work & Reduced Productivity: Chronic pain interferes with employment. Lost wages due to reduced hours or early retirement can dwarf the cost of any therapy device.
• Doctor & Specialist Visits: Ongoing medication management requires frequent appointments to primary care physicians, neurologists, pain specialists, etc. These visits add up in terms of both time and money. They may also overwhelm in-demand practitioners. 
• Comorbid Conditions: Poorly managed neuropathy can lead to mobility issues, falls, and even depression. These conditions carry additional medical costs and the potential for more prescriptions.
• Quality of Life: While harder to quantify, the ability to sleep through the night, walk without fear, or enjoy pain-free moments with family is invaluable. And infrared therapy, by addressing the underlying issue, may offer these benefits when coupled with pharmaceuticals. 

Moreover, patients must consider the long-term prognosis for peripheral neuropathy, including costs associated with amputation, decreased independence, loss of productivity, and premature death. The cost of an amputation alone can range from $20,000 to $70,000 in the United States although the exact figure depends on the complexity of the surgery and other fees. And this doesn’t include post-operative care, prosthetics, and ongoing rehabilitation expenses. Fifty percent of patients with peripheral neuropathy will require amputations, a truly sobering fact from both a financial and health perspective.  

Making the Purchase More Accessible

For patients concerned about the upfront investment, we offer financing options. With low monthly payments, owning a device becomes immediately affordable. Explore our financial assistance opportunities. 

Additionally, some insurance providers or HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) may cover part of the cost, especially if the device is recommended by a physician. It’s worth discussing these options with qualifying patients. 

A Paradigm Shift in Treatment and Spending

Peripheral neuropathy patients have been conditioned to think in terms of monthly pharmaceutical expenses. But this model is flawed. It’s also expensive, symptom-based, and ultimately unsustainable. The addition of infrared light therapy requires a mindset shift: from recurring cost to one-time investment. But that shift pays off over time and in terms of medical, financial, and emotional well-being.

Yes, there are initial costs. But what patients are really purchasing is not just a device. They are buying reduced dependence on medications, a safer side effect profile, and a pathway to potential nerve regeneration. In a world where healthcare costs continue to climb, helping patients make informed, evidence-based investments isn’t just wise. It’s essential. For peripheral neuropathy patients, the question is no longer “Can I afford an infrared light therapy device?” It’s “Can I afford not to have one?”
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Call or contact us for a comprehensive exploration of the benefits and applications of the NeuropaCalm Care Program in conjunction with your patients’ current modalities. Together, we can empower patients to reclaim their lives and attain the improved health outcomes they deserve. We can bridge the gap in peripheral neuropathy care and uplift the overall health and well-being of the communities we serve.