If you have heard people talking about red light therapy recently, you may be wondering what all the interest is about.

Is it simply another wellness trend? Is it the same as using a heat lamp? Does shining red light onto the body really do anything? And, perhaps most importantly, is there any genuine science behind it?

These are sensible questions.

Red light therapy has become increasingly visible in recent years, with everything from handheld devices and face masks to large panels appearing online. Alongside this increased popularity have come some very bold claims about what red light can supposedly achieve.

I believe it is important to approach complementary therapies differently.

Rather than promising miracles, I prefer to look at what a therapy is designed to do, what the scientific evidence tells us, and whether it might be appropriate for the individual person or animal in front of me.

So let’s look at red light therapy properly.

Red light therapy is actually photobiomodulation

The scientific term commonly used for red light therapy is **photobiomodulation**, often shortened to PBM.

You may also come across older terms such as low-level laser therapy or low-level light therapy.

Photobiomodulation involves exposing tissue to particular wavelengths of red or near-infrared light. Unlike ultraviolet light, this type of light isn’t being used to tan or deliberately damage the skin.

And despite the warmth that some devices may produce, photobiomodulation isn’t simply another form of heat therapy.

The important part is the interaction between light and biological tissue.

What happens when the light reaches your body?

This is where things become particularly interesting.

Our cells aren’t simply passive structures. They constantly carry out chemical reactions that allow tissues to function, repair and adapt.

Inside most of our cells are structures called “mitochondria”.

You may remember mitochondria from school biology as the “powerhouses” of cells. That’s a simplified description, but it’s useful because mitochondria play an important role in producing the energy cells need.

Research into photobiomodulation suggests that particular wavelengths of red and near-infrared light can interact with light-sensitive molecules within cells.

One of the most widely discussed mechanisms involves an enzyme in the mitochondrial respiratory chain called “cytochrome c oxidase”.

The interaction is thought to influence cellular signalling and energy metabolism.

This doesn’t mean that red light simply “charges your cells like a battery”, as it is sometimes described online. The biology is much more complicated than that.

What it does mean is that light can produce biological effects.

That concept isn’t particularly strange when you think about it.

Light already has profound effects on biology. Sunlight influences our circadian rhythms, plants convert light into chemical energy, and ultraviolet light can trigger biological changes in human skin.

Photobiomodulation uses particular wavelengths of light with the intention of producing specific biological responses.

Why red and near-infrared light?

Different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation interact with tissue differently.

Visible red light generally penetrates superficial tissues, while near-infrared wavelengths can penetrate more deeply.

That doesn’t mean that near-infrared light travels unrestricted through the body. Skin, blood, water, fat and other tissues absorb and scatter light.

It does mean that the wavelength used matters.

And this brings us to something that is often overlooked when people talk about red light therapy.

Not all red light is the same.

The wavelength matters.

The intensity matters.

The length of exposure matters.

The distance between the device and the body matters.

And the total amount of light delivered to the tissue matters.

Simply buying something that glows red doesn’t necessarily mean you are receiving the same type of photobiomodulation that has been investigated scientifically.

More isn’t necessarily better

This is one of the most important things to understand about photobiomodulation.

People naturally assume that if a little of something is beneficial, more must be even better.

Biology doesn’t always work that way.

Photobiomodulation research describes a dose-response relationship in which an inadequate dose may produce little effect, while excessive exposure may not produce greater benefit and can potentially reduce the desired biological response.

So treatment isn’t simply a matter of shining a light at an uncomfortable area for as long as possible.

The parameters matter.

This is one reason I believe red light therapy should be approached thoughtfully rather than simply following the idea that “more light equals more healing”.

What is red light therapy being investigated for?

Photobiomodulation has been studied across a surprisingly wide range of areas.

Research has explored its potential effects on areas including:

* inflammation and cellular signalling

* tissue repair

* muscle performance and recovery

* wound healing

* certain musculoskeletal conditions

* pain

* rehabilitation

* oral and dental applications

* neurological conditions

However, this needs an important qualification.

The fact that researchers have studied photobiomodulation for a condition does **not** automatically mean that it has been proven to treat that condition.

The quality and strength of evidence varies.

Some areas have considerably more research behind them than others. Studies also use different wavelengths, devices, doses, treatment schedules and populations, which can make direct comparisons difficult.

This is why I am cautious when I see red light therapy advertised as though it is capable of treating almost anything.

No responsible therapy should be presented that way.

Where does it fit with muscular discomfort and mobility?

This is the area that particularly interests me in my own work.

Many of the people I see aren’t looking for miracles.

They simply want to move more comfortably.

Perhaps getting out of the car has become difficult.

Their back feels uncomfortable after gardening.

Their shoulders feel tight after sitting at a computer.

They are recovering from exercise.

Or an old problem keeps reminding them that it is still there.

My work has always focused on helping people and animals with comfort and movement using a calm, gentle approach.

Photobiomodulation gives me another tool that may be appropriate in some circumstances.

Rather than physically manipulating tissue, light energy is delivered to the treatment area.

That makes it quite different from the light-touch Emmett-based work I also provide.

The two approaches don’t need to compete.

Depending upon the circumstances, I may feel that hands-on treatment is appropriate, that red light therapy may be useful as supportive care, or that a combination may be worth considering.

The important part is deciding what makes sense for the individual rather than automatically applying the same treatment to everyone.

What does red light therapy feel like?

This surprises some people.

There isn’t necessarily a dramatic sensation.

Depending upon the equipment being used, you may experience some gentle warmth, but photobiomodulation shouldn’t be confused with a treatment whose primary purpose is to heat tissue.

There is no deep pressure.

There is no manipulation.

There is nothing you have to “push through”.

For people who dislike aggressive treatments, that can make the experience particularly appealing.

The treatment area needs to be appropriately exposed because clothing can interfere with the delivery of light to the tissue.

The device is then used according to the treatment parameters appropriate for the area being addressed.

Can you see results after one treatment?

This is another area where I prefer to manage expectations realistically.

Some people may report noticing changes quickly.

Others may not.

And depending upon what red light therapy is being used to support, repeated treatments may be more appropriate than a single exposure.

Many research protocols use a series of treatments rather than one isolated session.

That doesn’t mean everybody needs a long course of treatment.

It means that response, treatment goals and progress should be reviewed rather than promising that one session will solve a problem.

I would much rather someone came to me with realistic expectations than booked because they had been promised a miracle.

Is red light therapy safe?

Photobiomodulation is generally regarded as well tolerated when appropriately administered, but that doesn’t mean it should be used indiscriminately.

The eyes require particular consideration because sufficiently intense light can present an ocular risk, and appropriate eye protection or other precautions may be required depending upon the device and treatment.

There are also situations where medical advice or additional caution may be appropriate.

And red light therapy should never be used as a way of avoiding investigation of unexplained symptoms.

If you have persistent pain, unexplained swelling, a new lump, significant injury, neurological symptoms, signs of infection or another concerning change, the first question shouldn’t be:

“Can Tony put red light on it?”

The first question should be:

“Does this need to be medically assessed?”

My background in healthcare has made that distinction particularly important to me.

Complementary therapy should complement appropriate healthcare, not replace it.

What about animals?

Photobiomodulation is also used within veterinary medicine and animal rehabilitation.

This is particularly interesting to me because much of my work involves dogs and horses as well as people.

Animals can’t tell us where something hurts in words.

Instead, owners may notice changes such as reluctance to move in a particular way, altered posture, stiffness, reduced enthusiasm for activity or changes in behaviour.

Those signs can have many causes.

That’s why veterinary assessment is important when an animal develops unexplained or significant changes.

Where appropriate, however, red light therapy may form part of supportive care alongside veterinary treatment and rehabilitation.

I will explore this in much more detail in a separate article specifically about photobiomodulation for dogs.

What makes professional treatment different from buying a red light online?

The explosion in popularity of red light therapy has produced an enormous consumer market.

Search online and you’ll find panels, torches, belts, wraps, masks and countless other products at dramatically different prices.

Some may be perfectly legitimate devices.

Others may tell you very little about what they actually deliver.

The colour of the light alone isn’t enough information.

If we’re interested in photobiomodulation, we also need to think about factors such as wavelength, irradiance, treatment time, treatment distance and dose.

That deserves an article of its own because it is one of the most misunderstood areas of red light therapy.

I’ll be looking at exactly that in another article: **Why Buying a Red Light Device Doesn’t Necessarily Mean You’re Getting Effective Red Light Therapy.**

Why I have introduced red light therapy into my work

My approach to therapy has evolved considerably over the years.

Before becoming a complementary therapist, I spent nearly three decades working within the NHS, much of it in critical care and clinical research.

That background has never left me.

I remain fascinated by the human body, by research and by the difference between something that sounds scientifically impressive and something for which there is meaningful evidence.

At the same time, my own experiences taught me that conventional healthcare and complementary therapy don’t have to exist in opposing camps.

They can sit alongside one another.

That philosophy is central to the way I work today.

I don’t believe every person needs the same treatment.

I don’t believe every problem can be “fixed”.

And I don’t believe responsible therapists should make promises they cannot substantiate.

What I can do is listen, observe and consider which of the approaches available to me may be appropriate for the individual.

Red light therapy is now one of those options.

Could red light therapy be appropriate for you?

Perhaps you have heard about red light therapy and wondered whether it could help support your recovery.

Perhaps you’re living with muscular discomfort or stiffness.

Perhaps you’re physically active and interested in recovery.

Or perhaps your dog or horse is experiencing mobility difficulties and you’re investigating supportive options alongside appropriate veterinary care.

You don’t need to understand wavelengths, mitochondria or photobiomodulation before contacting me.

That’s my job.

Your job is simply to tell me what’s happening.

From there, we can discuss whether red light therapy, gentle hands-on treatment, a combination of approaches, or perhaps referral back to an appropriate healthcare or veterinary professional makes the most sense.

Sometimes the most useful answer I can give someone is that I don’t think a particular treatment is right for them.

That is part of providing responsible care.

Curious about whether red light therapy could help?

If you’ve been wondering whether red light therapy might be appropriate for you or your animal, you’re welcome to get in touch.

I provide complementary therapy for people and animals, with mobile appointments available across Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

My approach is calm, professional and individualised, drawing on decades of healthcare experience alongside my work as a complementary therapist.

There are no miracle promises.

Just a conversation about what’s happening, what you’d like to improve and whether one of the therapies I provide may be an appropriate way to support you.

**Ready to find out whether red light therapy could be suitable for you or your animal? Get in touch to discuss your needs or book an appointment.**

*Red light therapy/photobiomodulation is offered as complementary support and is not a substitute for medical or veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If you have new, severe, persistent or unexplained symptoms, please seek appropriate professional healthcare or veterinary advice.*