Awareness of red light therapy and its proliferation into chiropractic practices have grown over the last few years.
The term “red light therapy” is a catchall for a variety of LED wavelengths, both red and infrared, nicknamed because the human eye can see the red part of the spectrum but not the infrared portion.
Figure 1 shows the electro-magnetic spectrum.
Whether the light is applied via a pad on the body, standing in front of a panel or through an LED bed, the results of this therapy vary based on the wavelengths used and dose delivered. This article explores a variety of studies on LED therapy and how it can benefit the patients in your practice.
Review of photobiomodulation (PBM) mechanisms
Zein, et al. describes the mechanisms as absorption of energy by cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, the primary initiating interaction triggering PBM effects. Both adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and oxygen consumption by the cells increase. This may lead to changes in nitric oxide (NO) levels, activation of secondary messenger pathways, activation of transcription factors and growth factor production.1
Whelan, et al. help quantify that the specific wavelengths of light are shown to stimulate fibroblasts, resulting in various health benefits. Mitochondrial photostimulation through LED has been shown to improve cellular function by up to 200%, decrease wound healing time by up to 40% and reduce pain by 47%.2
Are there “magic” wavelengths?
No. Research shows that some bands of wavelengths are more effective than others based upon their absorption and penetration into the body. Figure 2 below shows how water, hemoglobin and melanin impact light at different wavelengths. As the figure shows, there is not one wavelength that is superior to all others. In fact, many LED devices have two or more wavelengths. Usually, these are red (in the 630nm–680nm range) and infrared (in the 810nm–880nm range).
In my experience, various LED devices tend to utilize different combinations of wavelengths in their LED pads, panels and beds. Some offer four or more wavelengths to ensure that all of the more optimal ranges of penetration by photons are covered.
Why multiple wavelengths like those mentioned above? Because infrared will penetrate more deeply than visible colors like red.
Matching patient complaints to studies
Let’s see how PBM’s mechanisms impact various conditions you see in the office. According to Beliveau, et al., writing in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, chiropractic practice remains predominately musculoskeletal in nature, with patients’ list of most frequent complaints led by lower back pain and neck pain. In their large scoping review, the most common presenting complaints were low back/back pain (49.7%), neck pain (22.5%) and extremity problems (10%).3
Literature search
On March 22, 2026, I searched PubMed.gov for studies relevant to the topic of this article. Depending on wording, the results varied dramatically. Examining the lowest to the highest results shows over a 200 to 1 ratio. There may be laser and LEDs discussed in some articles but the key term from high to low is “LED.”
- LED therapy 235,875 results
- Light therapy 161,735 results
- Red light therapy 8,289 result
- LED light therapy 6,766 results
- LED treatment for musculoskeletal conditions 1,095 results
Be specific in your search criteria as you look up studies to help you expand the uses of LED therapy in your practice. Read the research and make sure it applies to the type of device you are utilizing. Especially differentiate between laser and LED studies.
Back pain
Low back pain (LBP) affects approximately 51% to 57% of hospital nurses and nurses’ aides in Europe. The patients were treated with photobiomodulation therapy that included wavelengths of 630nm (red) and 850nm (infrared). LED treatment was three times per week for two weeks. The sham group had the exact same protocol.
The outcome measures were assessed before therapy and two weeks, four weeks, eight weeks, 12 weeks and six months after the first interventions were completed. This study revealed that LED therapy could be an effective alternative treatment by reducing pain and fatigue and improving fear-avoidance beliefs, function and quality of life.
Neck pain
Red light therapy’s ability to effectively reduce pain in conditions affecting both the neck and shoulders has been scientifically proven. For example:
Neck pain: A 2009 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Lancet found that red light therapy “…reduces pain immediately after treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain.”5
Shoulder pain: A 2014 systematic review focusing on light therapy treatment effects in shoulder tendinopathy concluded that red light therapy “can offer clinically relevant pain relief and initiate a more rapid course of improvement, both alone and in combination with physiotherapy interventions.”6
Extremity problems
Epicondylitis, whether medial (golfer’s elbow) or lateral (tennis elbow) is a common complaint that is seen in clinics. One study involved patients withacute tennis elbow. Researchers applied LED therapy over the lateral epicondyle three times per week for four weeks. The results showed reduced pain, increased function and increased pain–free grip at the end of treatment.7
Musculoskeletal disorders
Many patients experience muscle soreness from a sedentary lifestyle or even after physical activity, such as a session in their local fitness center. That soreness can cause patients to limit their physical activity. Douris, et al. set out to test the idea that LED therapy can relieve muscle pain. They treated the experimental group with 8 J/cm2 of phototherapy each day for five consecutive days using super luminous diodes with infrared wavelengths of 880nm and visible red diodes of 660nm at three standardized sites over the musculotendinous junction of the bicep.
Final thoughts
LED phototherapy has been proven to safely heal injured muscles, tendons or ligaments,9 increase performance and alleviate pain without any notable adverse effects. Several studies back the effectiveness of light therapy for athletes and view it as an advantage in sports.
Rob Berman, MBA, a partner at Energia Medical LLC, which specializes in light therapy and vibration products. He is also a partner at Berman Partners LLC, a medical device sales and marketing company. Berman Partners specializes in new and pre–owned therapeutic lasers. Rob has written 11 ebooks on whole–body vibration, light therapy and lasers. He has more than 25 articles published on light therapy, laser and practice management. He serves as an Editorial Board Advisor to Chiropractic Economics. He actively blogs on various topics of interest to healthcare providers along with his bi–weekly newsletter which is 11 years strong. He has an MBA in marketing from Boston University. He has helped healthcare providers improve patient outcomes while increasing their income for more than 15 years. Contact him at 860–707–4220, rob@energiamedical.com or via energiamedical.com.
References
1. Zein R, Selting W, Hamblin MR. Review of light parameters and photobiomodulation efficacy: Dive into complexity. J Biomed Opt. 2018 Dec;23(12):1-<17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30550048/. Accessed May 12, 2026.
2.Whelan HT,et al. Effect of NASA light emitting diode irradiation on wound healing. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 2001 Dec;19(6):305-14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11776448/. Accessed May 12, 2026.
3. Beliveau PJH, et al. The chiropractic profession: a scoping review of utilization rates, reasons for seeking care, patient profiles, and care provided. Chiropr Man Therap. 2017;25:35. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12998-017-0165-8</a. Accessed May 12, 2026.
4. Lin YP, et al. Light–emitting diode photobiomodulation therapy for non–specific low back pain in working nurses: A single–center, double–blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Aug 7;99(32):e21611. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32769919/. Accessed May 12, 2026.
5. Chow RT, et al. Efficacy of low–level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: A systematic review and meta–analysis of randomised placebo or active–treatment controlled trials. Lancet. 2009 December 5;374(9705):1897–908. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19913903/. Accessed May 12, 2026.
6. Haslerud S, et al. The efficacy of low–level laser therapy for shoulder tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta–analysis of randomized controlled trials. Physiother Res Int. 2015 June;20(2):108–25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25450903/. Accessed May 12, 2026.
7. Stasinopoulos D. The use of polarized polychromatic non–coherent light as therapy for acute tennis elbow/lateral epicondylalgia: A pilot study. Photobiomod Photomed Laser Surg. 2005;23(1):66–69. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/pho.2005.23.66. Accessed May 12, 2026.
8. Douris P, et al. Effect of phototherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. Photomed Laser Surg. 2006 June;24(3):377–82. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16875447/. Accessed May 12, 2026.
9. Ferraresi C, Huang YY, Hamblin, MR. Photobiomodulation in human muscletissue: An advantage in sports performance? J Biophoton. 9(11–12), 1273–1299. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbio.201600176. Accessed May 12, 2026.
