A Modern Approach to Pain Management with Red Light Therapy

According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 20% of American adults suffer from chronic pain, contributing to skyrocketing healthcare bills, lost productivity, and poor quality of life across the nation. People are desperate for more than something that just masks their symptoms…they are looking for healing and long-term relief. Whether you are looking for relief from a chronic condition like arthritis or healing of a specific injury (i.e. an ankle sprain or a strained muscle), red light therapy is an effective, non-toxic, and easy-to-use option.

Red and infrared (IR) therapy use specific, proven wavelengths to stimulate a natural response in human tissue that can increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, ease muscle pain, relieve joint stiffness, and enhance overall cell performance on a microscopic level. Much like a cell phone charger increases the battery power of your cell phone, red light therapy increases the energy in your cells to promote healing of the muscle or injured tissue.

How it Works

Manage Your Pain with Light Therapy

Research shows human bodies absorb particles of light (photons) and transform that light energy into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the form of energy that powers metabolic processes, improves cellular performance, and encourages tissue repair and regeneration. Infrared light is clinically proven to penetrate deep below the skin’s surface layer targeting muscle and joint pain at the source.

Benefits of Low-Level Light Therapy For Pain

Enhances tissue repair

General pain reduction

Reduces inflammation

Increases circulation

The Science of LED Red Light Therapy for Arthritis & Pain Management

Poor circulation and the lack of oxygen and other essential molecules (i.e., glucose, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)) in blood vessels can cause pain or a lack of sensation. Light energy stimulates the release of nitric oxide, causing blood vessels to increase in diameter (vasodilation) and allowing more blood flow, oxygen, and other important factors to be delivered. This increase in oxygen and nutrients increases ATP production, which activates pain relieving pathways. This decreases pain and inflammation and increases tissue regeneration in the localized area to promote healing. This reduction in inflammation is what those suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are searching for.

What all that means is that inflammation is the root cause of a lot of muscle and joint issues associated with arthritis. But you can get relief of these debilitating aches and pains with red light therapy, which is safe, non-invasive, and requires no prescription. Choosing an FDA-cleared device can help you treat a wide variety of muscle, joint, and skin conditions. Medical grade light therapy is your secret weapon to help with post-workout recovery, muscle sprains, and joint pain caused by injury, overuse, or a chronic condition such as arthritis.

When it comes to effective treatment of pain conditions with LED red and infrared light therapy, wavelength is key. Compared to blue light therapy, near-infrared wavelengths can penetrate deep into the muscle and joint tissue to alleviate pain, increase circulation and decrease inflammation. Infrared light therapy provides compromised cells with extra energy to accelerate the natural repair of compromised tissue cells, foster cell production, and restore homeostasis within the body.

Pain Management Wavelengths

Celluma devices emit multiple proven wavelengths of light energy simultaneously for compounded therapeutic benefits.

The aches and pains, acne, and wrinkles treatment modes contain a combination of blue (465nm), red (640nm), and near infrared (880nm) wavelengths. The aches and pains mode is red and near infrared light dominant but also contains a small amount of blue light.

Each treatment mode is a proprietary algorithm that produces the correct combinations of wavelengths and fluence that deliver the results supported by clinical studies.

Illustration of how Celluma uses blue light therapy, red light therapy, and near-infrared light therapy to treat acne.  The labels on the illustration say 'Epidermis', 'Dermis', 'Sub-cutaneous', 'Fat Cells', along with 'Blue 465nm', 'Red 640nm', and 'Near-Infrared 880nm' Illustration of how Celluma uses blue light therapy, red light therapy, and near-infrared light therapy to treat acne.  The labels on the illustration say 'Epidermis', 'Dermis', 'Sub-cutaneous', 'Fat Cells', along with 'Blue 465nm', 'Red 640nm', and 'Near-Infrared 880nm' Illustration of how Celluma uses blue light therapy, red light therapy, and near-infrared light therapy to treat acne.  The labels on the illustration say 'Epidermis', 'Dermis', 'Sub-cutaneous', 'Fat Cells', along with 'Blue 465nm', 'Red 640nm', and 'Near-Infrared 880nm' Illustration of how Celluma uses blue light therapy, red light therapy, and near-infrared light therapy to treat acne.  The labels on the illustration say 'Epidermis', 'Dermis', 'Sub-cutaneous', 'Fat Cells', along with 'Blue 465nm', 'Red 640nm', and 'Near-Infrared 880nm'

The Protocol

The standard pain management protocol is to use Celluma on the aches and pains setting 3x per week for 4 weeks for best results. The device can be used more or less often, depending on the severity of the condition. Using Celluma LED light therapy devices is very relaxing. Settle into a comfortable position and wrap the treatment area with your Celluma. A single treatment lasts approximately 30 minutes. Most people experience immediate results. Stiff, sore and painful joints may experience improvements with one to three sessions. Results vary depending on your inherent health, the severity of the condition and adherence to protocols. Statistics from research referenced below.

  • 50 %

    reduction in pain from those receiving red and near infrared light therapy in an observational study.

  • 4000

    studies published confirming the effectiveness of LLLT on musculoskeletal conditions.

  • 30 minutes

    time of light therapy treatment 2-3 times per week for pain relief.

Backed by Clinical Research

Celluma’s anti-aging LED light therapy is designed to truly change the way people rejuvenate and recover. We no longer need to rely solely on costly medications, risky injections, or invasive surgery now that we have the technology to give our bodies the boost to heal naturally. See what the research says about light therapy for healthy aging.

  • Low Level Light Therapy

    2 studies

    Keys to Effective Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT). Stanford School of Medicine, 2016

    The Nuts and Bolts of Low-level Laser (Light) Therapy. PubMed, 2012

  • Pain Management

    2 studies

    Low-intensity LASER and LED (photobiomodulation therapy) for pain control of the most common musculoskeletal conditions. PubMed, 2022

    Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. PubMed, 2017

  • Aging Skin

    2 studies

    Low Level Light Therapy with Light-Emitting Diodes for the Aging Face. Clinics In Plastic Surgery, 2016

    Low Level Laser (Light) Therapy (LLLT) for Cosmetic Medicine and Dermatology. Photobiology.info, 2014

WE'RE HERE TO HELP

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Low-level-light therapy or photobiomodulation is based on Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology and is the application of light energy to the body for therapeutic benefits. It promotes a natural photobiochemical reactionsimilar to the process of plant photosynthesis. The energy delivered by the LEDs has been shown to enhance cellular metabolism, accelerate the repair and replenishment of damaged skin cells, as well as stimulate the production ofcollagen — the foundation of healthy, smooth skin. Research has shown that LED light therapy may help smooth skin texture, improve skin firmness and resilience, increase lymphatic system activity, restore skin’s natural cellularactivity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and superficialhyperpigmentation. The treatment is for all skin types, and is non-ablative,non-invasive, painless, and requires absolutely no downtime. Patients or clients can return to their normal activity immediately after the treatment

  • LED Light Therapy is a highly safe and non-invasive treatment, making it suitable for all skin types and ages. Unlike other light-based treatments, it doesn't use UV rays, so there's no risk of burning or skin damage. The light emitted by the LEDs penetrates the skin gently, promoting healing and rejuvenation without any discomfort or downtime.

    This therapy has been extensively studied and used in clinical settings for decades, with a strong track record of safety. Celluma follows the science of safety and efficacy very closely and that is why it has been FDA-cleared for various applications, including skin care, hair restoration, and pain management. The vast majority people experience no side effects, and the treatment is so gentle that it can be used regularly to maintain skin and hair health.

    However, there are some important contraindications to consider:

    • All photo-sensitive drugs are a contraindication for low-level light therapy.
    • Allow 3-5 days before administering light therapy and consult your doctor if you have recently been taking photo-sensitive prescriptions.
    • Do not use if you are on steroidal medication – injections only.
    • Do not use it over a pregnant belly (but you can use it over the face).
    • Do not use if you have a history of epilepsy or seizures.
    • Do not use over any cancer or any known metastasis before getting clearance from your doctor(s).

    In all of the above, or with children under 12, always consult your primary care physician before using Celluma or any light therapy product.

  • Position Celluma as close to your skin as possible, the closer the better. One key advantage to Celluma is its patented flexible design, which allows for close positioning to the skin, and may lead to more effective results.

  • Light therapy is non-invasive and painless when used as intended.

  • Yes! Animals respond well to Celluma, and both Veterinarians and Certified Animal Chiropractors are using Celluma successfully to treat a variety of conditions. Unlike human use, where the FDA imposes restrictions, Celluma can be used on animals without restrictions.

  • No, LASER machines are different than LED devices and generally not cleared for use in the home.  However, there are different categories of LASERs. Cold and soft LASERs are categorized as low-level light therapy devices just like LED devices. LED and cold LASERs are cleared for the same indications. However, LASERs have inherent drawbacks including extremely small treatment areas, and they are much more expensive to manufacture and maintain. Some companies market their LED devices as LASERs which is both misleading and dangerous. 

Learn About The Celluma Difference

Not all LED light therapy devices are created equal. Celluma is the innovation leader in FDA-cleared, professional-grade, medical-grade LED light therapy solutions. We are trusted every day by tens of thousands of loyal customers, doctors and clinicians in 100+ countries. Read more about why there's only one Celluma.