What You Should Know About Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy is regularly used to treat wrinkles, acne, scars and redness. But it’s increasing in popularity for other uses too, including for athletic performance and recovery and for chronic pain.

“Red light therapy more accepted and more commonly used in the skincare world,” says Jacob Calcei, MD, an orthopedic sports medicine physician and shoulder surgeon at University Hospitals. “But as more data comes out, I think more experts may recommend red light therapy as an option for musculoskeletal treatment.”

How Red Light Therapy Works

The noninvasive treatment uses low levels of red light to stimulate cellular activity, promote collagen healing and decrease inflammation. Red light devices include panels, face masks, hand-held wands, pads, blankets and therapy beds.

The devices deliver wavelengths of red light (typically 630-850nm) to penetrate the surface of your skin and underlying tissues. “The idea is that the wavelengths of light promote some collagen healing and decrease inflammation, and those are the kinds of things we like in musculoskeletal medicine too,” says Dr. Calcei.

Red Light Therapy for Muscle and Pain

Red light therapy is popular among sports trainers, elite athletes, and others who hope it’ll help them optimize their strength and performance, enhance recovery time after workouts and reduce soreness, stiffness and other pain.

• Strength and Performance: Some strength trainers and athletes incorporate red light therapy into their fitness routine to improve muscle performance and grip strength, boost endurance and increase speed. A few small studies suggest that red light therapy combined with exercise may also help muscles grow and get stronger.
• Muscle Recovery: Athletes and others are using red light therapy in an effort to improve physical fitness, recover faster from workouts and physical strain, and reduce risk of injury. Researchers suggest that this therapy lowers the levels of an enzyme associated with achiness and muscle damage after intense physical activity and that if used just before activity, the red light may prevent the enzyme’s ability to act.
• Pain Management: Red light therapy is being used to help reduce pain and improve quality of life in people who experience chronic pain or are managing acute pain from an injury. A 2021 review of studies suggests that red light therapy may offer relief from pain caused by acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions and fibromyalgia.

What It Can and Can’t Do

A growing number of studies have focused on the possible health benefits of red light therapy for a variety of conditions. The results look promising, but more research is needed.

“Red light therapy has shown some early promise for treating tendinopathies and problems that occur a little closer to the skin, such as those that tend to be more inflammatory,” he says. “It also seems to offer potential benefits to patients with chronic pain issues.”

Dr. Calcei doesn’t believe red light therapy can heal injuries like ligament tears that require more mechanical repair or reconstruction. “When you have a true mechanical problem, this isn't going to reverse it,” he says.

Still, if used correctly and consistently, it appears red light therapy can be helpful for managing inflammation and recuperating from certain wounds. “I think it's being used best in the recovery process, as people are trying to decrease their inflammation and heal better,” says Dr. Calcei. He adds that red light therapy may offer some benefits for osteoarthritis and pain, but ultimately, it’ll depend on the severity of the condition and its progression over time. “If you have advanced osteoarthritis, nothing has been shown to reverse it.”

Is Red Light Therapy Safe?

“The data that we have currently on red light therapy shows that it's low risk, so it's fairly safe,” says Dr. Calcei. “I usually tell patients, there's really low risk to you – the risk is more to your wallet, but if you're willing to spend the money on it, it may benefit you.”

He suggests that starting with a home device is sufficient, as long as it’s not a huge financial burden. The devices can be expensive and are not usually covered by health insurance. (Handheld devices typically start at a little under $100, but the price range can be hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the device.) You can also schedule red light therapy sessions with a dermatologist or other providers.

Dr. Calcei says it takes several treatments before any effects may become noticeable and you’ll need to use the device regularly. He emphasizes that with any red light therapy device, it’s important to use it as directed. He also recommends discussing your plan to use it with your doctor first, especially if you have other health problems or you’re planning to use a stronger, medical-grade device.

“I think it's very reasonable to try it, especially if you’re experiencing pain, having a harder time getting a wound to heal, or you’re trying to reduce inflammation,” he says. “And if it can lessen the need for additional medications, I think that's very beneficial.”

Related Links

At University Hospitals, our fellowship-trained sports medicine specialists, primary care doctors, nutritionists, sleep experts and other healthcare professionals ensure the very best sports medicine care for active people.