PRUNGO FluxGo Red Light Therapy Device Reviewed

Like most cyclists, I’ve certainly battled my share of aches and pains. But, perhaps the most over aching condition for me has been lower back discomfort, a nagging throb that has plagued my riding for years. 

During my search for a remedy, I’ve consulted with medical experts of every denomination, ranging from orthopedists to osteopaths to physiatrists, including a mountebank who practiced some fringe form of treatment called Prolotherapy. 

Additionally, I also availed myself to various kinds of holistic healing such as massage, yoga, reiki and different practices of core strengthening, as well as various types of medical devises such as a TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and so called massage guns, with the latter leaving me feeling like I had just gone 10 rounds with a kicking mule.

Did I mention painkillers of every variety, Bengay and other assorted ointments? 

However, as of late, I’d been hearing more and more about the benefits of red light therapy, a technology that relies on low-level red or near-infrared light (600–850 nm) to boost cellular energy (ATP) in mitochondria, resulting in reduced inflammation, accelerated healing and muscle recovery. So, when PRUNGO offered me the opportunity to try its FluxGo device, I was eager to test it out. 

Without going too far down the mine shaft, PRUNGO more specifically refers to its technology as Polarized Laser Therapy (PTL), a specialized form of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) that uses lasers with specific polarization characteristics to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Unlike traditional laser therapies that use non-polarized light, PLT adjusts the laser beam to a precise polarized state, allowing for more focused and efficient tissue penetration. Moreover, PRUNGO is the only brand that combines high-safety 3R-grade lasers with polarized filters and highly concentrated LED arrays for red light therapy. Polarized Laser Therapy is also especially effective for treating deep tissue damage, musculoskeletal pain and inflammation, vastly reducing soreness, swelling and related symptoms with a non-invasive, highly targeted approach. It’s also worth noting, for those who are skeptical of instruments or procedures that bear any semblance to radiation, FluxGo actually derives its technology from the positive effects that natural red light has on the body, a science that has been studied for decades. 

The FluxGo device itself is a modular design that’s comprised of three impressively made 3R-grade lasers that can be configured as just one unit or in an array, relying on an adjustable velcro belt with dedicated clip-in fasteners, while the system is stored and charged in a nicely designed case.*

How does it work?

Depending on the area of treatment, one or more lasers can be used to target the body, offering three levels of intensity, mild, mid and strong, with sessions lasting between 5, 10 and 15 minutes, respectively.

In my case, I decided to go full bore on settings with a maximum number of two daily sessions.*

While the lasers do have red lenses that illuminate when activated, the red light itself operates in the near-infrared spectrum of 850nm, which is invisible to the human eye. So, even when the lenses are visibly lit up, don’t expect to feel an immediate sensation, like some far-flung science fiction ray gun is shooting beams of heated light through your body. Still, I decided to conduct some blind testing. 

With the lasers positioned on my back, and out of sight, I had another person randomly twitch them on and off. Interestingly, despite not causing an immediate physical stimulus, I could quickly discern when they were functioning. And, this was not a mere placebo effect, because again, I could not see the lenses in that position. 

Is the FluxGo effective?

Yes, very much so, but it works in a cumulative way, with each session building upon the other to combat inflammation and swelling, resulting in improved muscle recovery and restoration over time – something that I’ve experienced more from holistic “body work” than any kind of medical device or treatment.

How would I describe the after effects of using the FluxGo?

Simply put, my lower back muscles felt “released”, as though a knot had been incrementally un-tied following each session, allowing me to resume activities with a restored measure of strength and flexibility.

Additionally, my activities and use of the FluxGo were not limited just to cycling. Here in New England, we have small, white particles that fall from sky during winter called snow. Recently, we had two feet fall in just 24 hours, which needless to say had to be cleared. Regardless of one’s level of fitness, shoveling snow of this magnitude is grueling on all parts of the body; hands, arms, neck and of course the back. Indeed, after hours of heaving what felt like a mountain of snow, even my eyebrows hurt. 

However, I did find relief using the FluxGo. Again, it wasn’t like a “Beam Me Up Scotty” experience, but more as the cumulative process that I described, requiring a couple of sessions to mitigate my lower back discomfort.

So, is the FluxGo worth the price?

At $399.99 the FluxGo doesn’t come cheap. Plus, the modules are a bit bulky and sometimes finicky to attach to the belt. Also, similar to how your grandfather’s TV has evolved over time, I imagine the modules will be a fraction of their size years from now, making them much more nimble to use. 

In the meantime, however, the FluxGo is undeniably a viable tool for athletes who are seeking to manage muscle pain and body fatigue in a safe and effective way.

Also, it’s reassuring to know that PRUNGO offers a 30-day trial period, giving buyers an extra peace of mind should they decide the FluxGo isn’t for them.  

PRUNGO

*The FluxGo case is equipped with a proprietary charger that charges the lasers via a USB-C cable

*PRUNGO recommends no more than two sessions per day