If you are managing stiff knees, osteoarthritis, or a slow-healing injury, you may be wondering whether red light therapy can help.
The short answer is: it may provide modest pain relief and support tissue repair for some people, but it is not a cure or replacement for medical care. The results depend on the condition being treated, the wavelength and dose, and how consistently the therapy is used.
This FAQ explains what current red light therapy science says about joint pain, arthritis, and wound healing in 2026.
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses low-level red and near-infrared light to influence activity inside cells.
In simple terms, the light may help cells produce energy more efficiently. This can support processes involved in inflammation control, circulation, collagen production, and tissue repair.
Unlike ultraviolet light, red and near-infrared light are not designed to damage the skin. Treatment is non-invasive and usually feels like gentle warmth, although the exact experience depends on the equipment and session settings.
The Cleveland Clinic’s overview of red light therapy describes it as generally safe when used correctly, while also noting that research is still developing for many conditions.
Can red light therapy help joint pain?
It may help reduce pain, especially in knee osteoarthritis
Research suggests that red and near-infrared photobiomodulation may provide short-term relief for some people with joint pain.
The strongest research has focused on knee osteoarthritis, a condition involving pain, stiffness, and changes in the joint cartilage and surrounding tissues.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Physical Therapy examined 10 placebo-controlled studies involving 542 people with knee osteoarthritis. The researchers found a moderate reduction in pain at rest compared with placebo treatment.
However, the certainty of the evidence was rated very low. The studies used different devices and treatment protocols, and many had unclear or high risks of bias. Improvements in walking tests and daily function were not consistent.
This means red light therapy may be useful for pain management, but it should be viewed as an adjunct, not a stand-alone treatment.
You can read the full 2024 Physical Therapy meta-analysis on PubMed.
What did the BMJ Open 2019 review find?
A 2019 systematic review in BMJ Open looked at 22 randomized placebo-controlled trials involving 1,063 people with knee osteoarthritis.
Overall, low-level laser therapy reduced pain by approximately 14 to 16 points on a 100-point pain scale compared with placebo at the end of treatment and during follow-up.
The results were more encouraging when treatments used dose and wavelength ranges recommended by the World Association for Laser Therapy. In those subgroups, pain relief was larger and disability scores also improved.
The review found no reported adverse events in the included trials. Still, the authors emphasized that results depend heavily on treatment parameters.
Read the BMJ Open systematic review.
Is red light therapy useful for arthritis?
It may help arthritis symptoms, but it does not reverse arthritis
The phrase “red light therapy for arthritis” can refer to several conditions, including osteoarthritis and inflammatory forms of arthritis.
For osteoarthritis, the evidence is most supportive for temporary improvements in pain and stiffness. It does not show that red light therapy rebuilds lost cartilage or reverses the underlying joint changes.
For rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune condition, light therapy should not replace disease-modifying medication or medical supervision. Symptoms such as persistent swelling, heat, joint deformity, or unexplained fatigue should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Red light therapy may be considered as part of a broader plan that includes:
- Appropriate exercise and strengthening
- Physical therapy
- Weight management where relevant
- Sleep and recovery support
- Medical treatment when needed
- Activity adjustments during flare-ups
Our earlier guide, Looking for Joint Pain Relief? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know About Red Light Therapy, explains how light-based treatments may fit into a larger joint-care routine.
Which wavelength is better for joint pain?
Near-infrared is generally preferred for deeper joint tissue
Visible red light is commonly used for surface-level skin and wound applications. Near-infrared wavelengths travel farther into tissue, so they are generally preferred when the goal is to reach deeper structures around the knee, shoulder, hip, or other joints.
A typical treatment system may combine:
- Red light: commonly used for skin, surface-level tissue, and wound-healing support
- Near-infrared light: commonly used for deeper muscle, connective tissue, and joint areas
Wavelength is only one part of the equation. Dose, irradiance, treatment time, distance from the panel, and the area being treated all matter.
More light is not automatically better. Photobiomodulation can have a dose range where the response is more helpful, while excessive exposure may be less effective or more irritating.
Can red light therapy help wound healing?
Evidence is promising, but it depends on the type of wound
Red light therapy for wound healing is being studied because photobiomodulation may influence several processes involved in repair, including:
- Cellular energy production
- Inflammation regulation
- Local circulation
- Fibroblast activity
- Collagen and connective tissue formation
- Skin cell migration and closure
Red light is commonly used for surface-level wound-healing support, while near-infrared wavelengths may be included when treatment is intended to reach deeper tissue.
Systematic reviews report promising findings for some diabetic foot ulcers, chronic wounds, and postoperative wounds. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of red and infrared light as an adjunctive treatment for diabetic foot ulcers found that photobiomodulation significantly improved healing and wound closure compared with conventional care alone, while the authors noted that treatment protocols varied widely and more high-quality trials are needed.
However, the research is not uniform. Studies differ widely in wavelength, dosage, wound type, timing, and standard care. Evidence is more encouraging for some diabetic and postoperative wounds than for venous leg ulcers or human burn wounds.
For that reason, red light therapy should be considered a supportive treatment, not a substitute for wound assessment, cleaning, dressings, infection control, surgery, or other recommended care.
See the 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis on PubMed.
Can you use red light therapy on an open wound?
Not without professional guidance.
A wound that is open, infected, bleeding, worsening, or associated with significant swelling should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare provider. People with diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, immune suppression, or a history of slow wound healing should be especially cautious.
A wellness session is not a replacement for wound care. If your clinician approves photobiomodulation as an adjunct, the treatment plan should account for the wound type, infection risk, dressings, medications, and the specific device being used.
What are the red light therapy side effects?
Side effects are usually mild when treatment is used correctly
Research and clinical overviews generally describe red light therapy as well tolerated. Possible short-term effects include:
- Mild warmth
- Temporary redness
- Skin sensitivity or dryness
- Eye strain or headache if the light is too bright or directed toward the face
- Temporary soreness in a sensitive treatment area
More serious problems, such as burns or eye injury, are uncommon but may occur with excessive exposure, faulty equipment, or direct viewing of intense light.
The Healthline red light therapy overview also highlights the importance of following device instructions and protecting the eyes.
A systematic review of LED treatments in dermatology found that light therapy was generally well tolerated, with relatively few adverse events reported across studies. You can review the LED dermatology systematic review on PubMed.
For practical guidance, see Wave Therapy’s 2026 eye protection safety guide.
Who should avoid or discuss red light therapy first?
Speak with a healthcare professional before treatment if you:
- Have an active or recently treated cancer
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Take photosensitizing medication
- Have a significant eye condition or unusual light sensitivity
- Have an implanted electronic device near the treatment area
- Have an undiagnosed or infected wound
- Have uncontrolled epilepsy or another condition affected by light exposure
- Have diabetes-related circulation or sensation problems
This does not automatically mean treatment is unsuitable. It means your situation deserves individualized advice.
What should you expect from a session in Edmonton?
A professional red light therapy Edmonton session is usually straightforward.
You may be asked to expose the area being treated and position yourself near a panel or full-body system. Eye protection may be recommended or required, especially when the face is near a bright panel or near-infrared light.
Sessions are generally comfortable and non-invasive. Most people feel gentle warmth rather than pain. A provider may recommend a series of treatments rather than a single visit because research commonly evaluates repeated sessions over several weeks.
At Wave Therapy, treatment plans are designed around your goals, comfort, and the area being treated. Results vary. Some people notice changes in comfort after several sessions, while others may notice little improvement.
For complementary support with muscle tension or general relaxation, some clients also explore massage through Massage Quest or Book a Therapy, Wave Therapy’s sister company for massage services.
What is the practical takeaway?
Red light therapy may be worth discussing if you are looking for a non-invasive way to support:
- Knee osteoarthritis pain and stiffness
- General joint discomfort
- Muscle and connective tissue recovery
- Surface-level skin repair
- Selected wound-healing plans approved by your healthcare provider
The most accurate way to describe the evidence is promising but still evolving. Near-infrared light is generally used for deeper joint tissue, while red light is commonly used for surface-level wound and skin applications. Neither should be presented as a cure.
If you are curious about red light therapy in Edmonton, you can learn more about Wave Therapy sessions or review available options through the Edmonton checkout page. Explore the information, ask questions, and book when you feel ready.
Leave a Reply