Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ames

RedVive Red Light Therapy

Harness the healing power of red and near-infrared light to relieve foot pain, reduce inflammation, and accelerate recovery — no needles, no downtime.

Light That Goes Deeper Than You Think

RedVive is an FDA-cleared Class II medical device that delivers precisely calibrated red (660 nm) and near-infrared (850 nm) wavelengths directly into your tissues. Unlike superficial treatments, these wavelengths penetrate skin, fat, and muscle to reach the structures where healing actually happens — tendons, nerves, fascia, and bone.

1

Mitochondria Absorb the Light

Red and NIR photons are taken up by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria, triggering a cascade of cellular energy production.

2

ATP Production Surges

Cells generate more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — the body’s energy currency — fueling faster repair of damaged tissue.

3

Inflammation Calms

Pro-inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins and cytokines are downregulated, reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

4

Circulation improves

Enhanced blood and lymphatic flow deliver oxygen and nutrients to recovering tissues — critical for patients with neuropathy or diabetes.

When Your Feet Need More Than Rest

RedVive therapy addresses a broad spectrum of foot and ankle conditions — especially those driven by chronic inflammation, nerve involvement, or sluggish healing.

Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain

Reduces inflammation in the plantar fascia and supports collagen repair to break the cycle of chronic heel pain.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Improved circulation and nerve modulation can decrease burning, tingling, and numbness associated with diabetic and idiopathic neuropathy.

Achilles Tendinopathy

Stimulates tendon cell activity and collagen synthesis, accelerating recovery from both insertional and mid-portion Achilles pain.

Arthritis & Joint Pain

Decreases inflammatory load in arthritic joints of the foot and ankle, improving range of motion and reducing pain with activity.

Wound Healing

Promotes faster closure of surgical sites and chronic wounds by stimulating angiogenesis and tissue regeneration.

Post-Operative Recovery

Incorporated into recovery plans after procedures like Lapiplasty® bunion correction to reduce swelling and speed return to activity.

Sports & Overuse Injuries

Reduces muscle fatigue, improves strength and endurance recovery, and gets active patients back on their feet faster.

Nerve Pain & Entrapment

Complements nerve hydrodissection and conservative nerve care by lowering neuroinflammation and improving local tissue environment.

Why Patients Choose RedVive

No Needles, No Drugs

Completely non-invasive — no injections, no pharmaceuticals, no side effects.

No Downtime

Sessions are short and comfortable. Walk in, walk out — no recovery required.

FDA-Cleared

RedVive is a Class II medical device verified for power output and safety by third-party testing.

Measurable Results

Most patients notice meaningful improvement within the first few sessions, with continued gains over weeks.

Complements Your Care

Pairs seamlessly with orthotics, nerve hydrodissection, laser therapy, and surgical recovery.

Simple. Relaxing. Effective.

RedVive sessions require no preparation and no recovery. Here’s what a typical visit looks like.

Medical-Grade Device Specs

RedVive uses multi-wave spectral output delivering the highest irradiance available in LED therapy — meaning deeper penetration and faster results than consumer-grade lights.

  • Red light: 660 nm wavelength
  • Near-infrared: 850 nm wavelength
  • Irradiance: 100+ mW/cm²
  • FDA Class II Medical Device
  • Third-party safety & power verified
  • 2-year manufacturer warranty

Sharp heel or forefoot pain

Dr. Nelson reviews your diagnosis and goals to determine whether RedVive is appropriate and how to integrate it into your overall treatment plan.

Comfortable positioning

You sit or lie comfortably while the RedVive panels are positioned over the target area of your foot or ankle.

Relaxing treatment

Sessions typically run 10–20 minutes. You may feel a gentle warmth — many patients find it deeply relaxing.

Resume normal activity

There is no downtime. You can return to your day immediately after your session.

Consistent sessions for best results

Most treatment protocols involve 2–3 sessions per week for 3–6 weeks, though this varies based on your condition and response.

Good candidates & considerations

RedVive is broadly safe and well-tolerated, but Dr. Nelson will review your history to ensure it’s the right fit for your care.

RedVive may be a great fit if you…

  • Have chronic foot or ankle pain that hasn’t fully responded to rest or standard treatments
  • Are managing diabetic peripheral neuropathy or poor circulation
  • Are recovering from foot or ankle surgery and want to heal faster
  • Experience recurring sports injuries or overuse conditions
  • Prefer drug-free, non-invasive options alongside your current care
  • Want to enhance the results of orthotics, nerve treatments, or other services

Precautions & Contraindications

  • Active malignancy at or near the treatment site
  • Photosensitizing medications (discuss with Dr. Nelson)
  • Pregnancy (treatment near the abdomen/pelvis)
  • Direct eye exposure — protective eyewear is provided
  • Open, infected wounds without appropriate wound care in place

A thorough evaluation ensures RedVive is safe and appropriate for your individual situation.

“Red light therapy gives us a powerful tool to support healing at the cellular level — especially for patients dealing with nerve pain, slow recovery, or conditions where we want to do more than just manage symptoms.”

— Dr. Erin Nelson, DPM  ·  Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ames

Schedule Your Consultation

Schedule your consultation today to discover how we can help alleviate your fat pad atrophy symptoms and get you back to the activities you love.

 Call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ames at (515) 444-2390  or email info@fas-ames.com to make an appointment!