How red light therapy
can help with pain

What happens when light reaches your body?

Red light therapy uses red or near infrared light. Some light reflects off the skin, and some passes into tissue, where it is scattered or absorbed. The amount reaching a particular area depends on the light, the tissue and the treatment setup.

The scientific name is photobiomodulation. Researchers study how absorbed light affects cellular activity, including mitochondria; the parts of cells involved in producing usable energy.

How does that connect to pain?

Proposed explanations include changes in cellular energy, inflammatory signals and the activity of pain sensing nerves. These are explanations scientists investigate; clinical trials are what tell us whether a particular treatment actually reduces pain.

Read the review of proposed mechanisms ↗

What have pain studies found?

Jaw pain: a positive LED trial

A randomized, controlled study of people with temporomandibular disorder used 660 nm red and 850 nm near infrared LED clusters. Pain decreased after treatment in the LED group, while the placebo group showed no improvement. Not every movement measure improved.

This supports the treatment studied for that patient group. It does not establish the same result for a different condition or an arbitrary home panel. Read the trial ↗

Back pain: some benefits, limited evidence

NCCIH describes evidence that low level laser therapy benefits some chronic low back pain settings. The evidence is limited, and outcomes depend on the protocol and patient population. Read the NCCIH overview ↗

Osteoarthritis: guidelines remain cautious

NICE advises against offering laser therapy for osteoarthritis because there is insufficient evidence of benefit. Findings for one pain condition should not be treated as proof for another. Read the NICE recommendation ↗

What does this mean for a home panel?

Clinical studies use specific devices, wavelengths, doses, treatment locations and schedules. Some use lasers or contact probes; others use LEDs. A home panel needs to be assessed on its own evidence and instructions.

A review of home use devices found encouraging results across several applications but called for additional randomized controlled studies. Read the home device review ↗

Is 1064 nm the deciding factor?

No single wavelength establishes that a panel is best for pain. A review of 1064 nm treatment specifically examined high powered lasers. It does not prove that a consumer LED panel containing 1064 nm is superior. Read the 1064 nm review ↗

What should you check?

• Whether research examined the exact device or a genuinely comparable treatment.
• The stated output, measurement distance and instructions.
• The body area, condition and outcomes actually studied.
• Suitability for your medical situation, discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Follow your device’s instructions, including exposure and eye precautions. This guide does not prescribe a treatment schedule or replace professional care.

Sources you can explore

The links throughout this guide lead to the research or clinical guidance behind each section. Reading both the positive findings and the limitations gives you a more useful basis for a purchase.