Red Light Therapy for Chronic Pain

You’ve tried the medications. You’ve done the physio. You’ve adjusted your lifestyle in ways you never imagined you’d have to. And the pain is still there — some days manageable, other days overwhelming — quietly reshaping what you can and can’t do.

Chronic pain is not simply a symptom. It’s a condition in its own right, involving central sensitisation, persistent inflammation, and changes to how the nervous system processes pain signals. Managing it requires an approach that addresses those underlying mechanisms — not just masks what’s happening.

At Red Light Therapy Melbourne, I use photobiomodulation (red and near-infrared light therapy) and infrared sauna as part of a personalised, clinically guided protocol designed to reduce pain and inflammation at the cellular level. Clients who have lived with chronic pain for years often report meaningful improvements within weeks of starting a committed protocol.

What Types of Chronic Pain Can These Therapies Help With?

Based on the published research and what I observe clinically, the following conditions respond well to a committed red light, near-infrared light and frequency therapy protocol:

• Musculoskeletal pain — Including back pain, neck pain, hip pain, and shoulder pain. Photobiomodulation reduces the inflammatory markers that drive musculoskeletal pain and supports tissue repair at the cellular level.
• Fibromyalgia and widespread pain — Research suggests that red and near-infrared light therapy may reduce pain intensity and tender point sensitivity in fibromyalgia. Infrared sauna is also well-studied for fibromyalgia symptom relief.
• Post-injury and post-surgical pain — Where tissue repair is incomplete or scar tissue is contributing to ongoing pain, photobiomodulation supports collagen remodelling and reduces residual inflammation.
• Neuropathic pain — Emerging research indicates that near-infrared light may support nerve repair and reduce the central sensitisation associated with neuropathic conditions. I am seeing this condition a lot in the clinic and the outcomes have been extremely positive.
• Inflammatory conditions — Where systemic inflammation is a driver — as it is in many forms of chronic pain — the anti-inflammatory effect of photobiomodulation addresses the root cause rather than the symptom. Again, I am seeing hugely positive outcomes with many inflammatory conditions including arthritic and EDS.
  • Pain-related fatigue and poor sleep — Chronic pain and sleep disruption create a self-reinforcing cycle. Both red light therapy and infrared sauna have demonstrated effects on sleep quality and nervous system regulation, which in turn reduces pain sensitivity.

• How Red Light Therapy Works for Chronic Pain

  The mechanism behind photobiomodulation’s effect on pain is well-documented. Specific wavelengths of red (630–660 nm) and near-infrared (810–850 nm) light penetrate the skin and are absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria. This triggers a cascade of effects: increased ATP production, reduced oxidative stress, and measurably lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines — particularly TNF-α and IL-6, two of the key drivers of chronic pain and tissue damage.

  At the same time, photobiomodulation has been shown to modulate nitric oxide release, improve local circulation, and accelerate tissue repair — all of which contribute to reduced pain and improved function over time.

  Infrared sauna adds a complementary layer. The deep penetrating heat reaches muscles, joints, and connective tissue, improving circulation and reducing muscle tension. The cardiovascular response induced by sauna mimics moderate exercise. And repeated sauna sessions have been shown to shift the nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance — the ‘rest and digest’ state — which reduces the nervous system’s amplification of pain signals.

  These are not interchangeable modalities. They work through distinct pathways and are most effective used together in a coordinated protocol.

  What to Expect When You Visit

  Chronic pain is not a single diagnosis — it’s a complex, individual experience. Before any treatment, I want to understand your specific pain: where it is, how long you’ve had it, what makes it better or worse, what you’ve already tried, and what outcomes matter most to you.

  From that assessment, I design a personalised protocol. For most clients with chronic pain, that typically includes:

  • Targeted near-infrared therapy to the specific sites of pain and inflammation
  • Full-body red light therapy to address systemic inflammation and cellular energy
  • Infrared sauna heats the deep tissue, regulates the nervous system, and supports cardiovascular health.

  A typical committed protocol is once to twice a week for 4-6 weeks. Sessions run 50-90 minutes. I’m present throughout, observing and adjusting.

  The pattern I observe consistently in clinic: noticeable changes within 3–5 sessions, meaningful improvement by 4–6 weeks, and clients who complete a full protocol wanting to continue with maintenance sessions because the improvement is significant enough to protect.

  What the Research Shows

  Photobiomodulation is one of the more thoroughly researched drug-free interventions for pain. Key findings relevant to chronic pain include:

  • Pain reduction — A 2019 systematic review of 11 randomised controlled trials (PubMed 30854964) found photobiomodulation significantly reduced pain intensity in musculoskeletal conditions including chronic low back pain and neck pain.
  • Fibromyalgia — A randomised controlled trial found that low-level laser therapy significantly reduced the number of tender points, VAS pain scores, and fatigue in fibromyalgia patients compared to sham (Armagan et al., 2006, Rheumatology International).
  • Fibromyalgia and infrared sauna — A study published in Internal Medicine found that patients with fibromyalgia who underwent infrared sauna therapy reported significant reductions in pain and fatigue after just five sessions, with improvements persisting at two-year follow-up (Matsumoto et al., 2011).
  • Anti-inflammatory mechanisms — A comprehensive review (PubMed 37762594) identified five distinct anti-inflammatory pathways through which photobiomodulation reduces inflammation, including downregulation of TNF-α and IL-1β and upregulation of anti-inflammatory IL-10.
  • Nervous system effects — A study of 93 participants (PubMed 31331560) demonstrated significant parasympathetic nervous system activation following infrared sauna — reducing the nervous system’s contribution to pain amplification.

  What Clients Say

  “A gamechanger for my plantar fasciitis — 3 sessions later and I’m back running.” Amy G.— Google Review

  “My body feels less tight and achy, inflammation seems to be calming down.”

  Lucy J.— Google Review

  “I found red light therapy absolutely amazing. I have suffered  extreme back pain this last twelve months after crushing my spine in an accident. Melissa came to Sackville Grange retirement living to introduce some residents to this therapy. I decided to give it a go as no-one else had been able to help me. I have had six treatments and can honestly say my pain has almost completely gone away !! I would strongly recommend anyone in severe pain to give it a go.”

  Jackie Walker— Interview on the website

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Is red light therapy safe if I’m on pain medication?

  Photobiomodulation works through a completely different mechanism to pain medication and is generally compatible with all classes of pain relief, including NSAIDs, opioids, and nerve pain medications. I take a full health history at your initial assessment and will flag anything that warrants discussion with your GP or specialist.

  How is this different from a TENS machine or ultrasound therapy?

  TENS and ultrasound are primarily symptomatic — they interrupt or mask pain signals. Photobiomodulation works at the cellular level to reduce the inflammation and tissue damage that cause pain in the first place. It’s a mechanism-level intervention, not a symptom-level one. That’s why the research supports lasting improvements rather than just temporary relief.

  How many sessions do I need before I notice a difference?

  Most clients notice some change within 3–5 sessions. For chronic pain that has been present for months or years, I recommend a minimum 6-week committed protocol (twice per week) to achieve meaningful, lasting improvements. The research is consistent: multi-week protocols produce the strongest outcomes.

  Can I come in if I’m in a pain flare?

  Yes, and many clients find their sessions during flares particularly helpful. I adjust the protocol to account for where you are on any given day — that’s the advantage of a practitioner-led approach rather than a self-directed session.

  Do I need a referral from my GP?

  No referral is needed. You can book directly. That said, if you have a complex pain condition, I’ll often suggest we loop in your GP or specialist as part of a coordinated care approach — particularly if there are underlying conditions influencing your pain.

  Book Your Consultation

  If you’re ready to take a different approach to managing your chronic pain, I’d love to talk through what a protocol might look like for you. Every client starts with an assessment — because the best outcomes come from a plan designed around your body and your symptoms, not a generic red light bed rental.