How Often Can You Use Red Light Therapy for Pain?

First things first, if you stumbled on this article, you’re probably past the “what is red light therapy?” stage. You’ve either already got a device glowing in your Amazon cart, or you’re staring at one right now, wondering if you can turn it on every day and finally do something about that nagging back, shoulder, or joint pain. How often can you use red light therapy for pain?

We will answer that in a second? But let’s clear one thing up first, yes, you can use red light therapy regularly. Now onto the answer: Yes, but it depends on your goals, the kind of pain you’re dealing with, your device, and how your body responds over time.

In this article we explain everything, from science based insights, smart safety considerations you do not want to skip, and real world experience on how often you should use red light therapy to relieve pain. Lastly, we also tell you whether daily use is actually smart, sustainable, or just plain overkill.

How Red Light Therapy Actually Works for Pain Relief

Red light therapy, sometimes also referred to as photobiomodulation (PBM), isn’t some futuristic wellness gimmick. It's been clinically studied for several years and is now a proven technique that uses low-level red and near-infrared light (usually 600–850 nm wavelengths) to stimulate cellular repair.

When you expose your body to these specific wavelengths, your mitochondria (the powerhouses of your cells) absorb the light and start producing more ATP. This helps fuel your body’s ability to heal, reduce inflammation, and quieting down pain signals.

In practice, this might look like:

• Loosening up tight joints.
  
  

• Speeding up recovery from overuse injuries.
  
  

• Helping manage nagging, low-grade chronic pain that hasn’t responded to other conventional treatments.
  
  

And while researchers admit they’re still learning exactly how this works, studies like a 2024 randomized controlled trial on photobiomodulation on pain have shown promising results. That specific study looked at fibromyalgia patients using whole body red light therapy 12 times over 4 weeks. They found not just pain relief, but lasting improvements in mood, movement, and overall quality of life for up to six months afterward .

Time and time again, we keep praising red light therapy for the non invasive benefits it offers. Similarly, PEMF therapy also targets cellular repair through electromagnetic fields. Slightly different, but worth considering. 

How Often Should You Use Red Light Therapy for Pain?

Here’s where things get a bit nuanced. Most credible sources, including clinicians, researchers, and device manufacturers, recommend starting with 3-5 sessions per week. Each session usually runs 10-20 minutes per targeted area. You also need to take into consideration your device’s power output and the depth of tissue you’re trying to reach.

But if you're dealing with more persistent pain, think arthritis, old injuries flaring up, or post surgery soreness, then daily sessions might actually be needed… at least in the short term.

A 2024 study on the Efficacy of Photobiomodulation in the management of pain and inflammation followed patients recovering from spinal surgery. Those who used red light therapy consistently saw inflammation drop by up to 40%, they needed 30% fewer opioids, and even reported faster recovery compared to those who didn’t use it . That’s not nothing.

Still, more isn’t always better. Red light therapy has what’s called a biphasic dose response. There’s a sweet spot: You enough light to activate healing, but not so much that your body becomes overstimulated and stops responding.

If you're just starting, try this approach:

• Week 1: 10 minutes per area, every other day. Watch how your skin and pain respond.
  
  

• Week 2-3: If no side effects, increase to daily use at 15-20 minutes.
  
  

• After 4 weeks: Consider tapering to 3-5 sessions/week for maintenance.

  
  
  

Consistency matters more than one off perfection. For me personally, whenever I felt that red light therapy was needed for pain relief, I set my alarm 30 minutes early, roll over, fire up the panel, and get my session in before I even start the day. It’s become part of my routine. This all might sound cliche, but it is the best way we have found that works. We’ve even tried using Red light Therapy Twice a Day. The results speak for themselves. 

Is It Safe to Do Red Light Therapy Every Day?

Yes and no! Let us explain.

Most people tolerate daily red light sessions well, especially if they’re short sessions that target specific areas on the body. But overuse is real and can cause mild side effects like:

• Temporary skin redness or tightness.
  
  

• Eye strain (always wear protection).
  
  

• Feeling overstimulated or wiped out afterward.
  
  

A 2022 feasibility study on photobiomodulation therapy for chronic pain found that patients who completed 18 whole-body sessions over 6 weeks not only improved their mobility, but also reduced pain catastrophizing (aka the mental spiral of chronic pain) . That’s a big deal..especially for those who feel like they’ve “tried everything” and want to give up. 

Still, your device matters. A low-power budget wand might need way longer sessions to hit a therapeutic dose. A high-powered full body panel? You might get results in under 10 minutes. Don’t assume longer = better.

Here is a good rule of thumb:

• Smaller handhelds = you need more frequent, longer sessions.
  
  

• High-output panels = you need shorter, more strategic use.
  
  

As always, be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Or better yet, check with a healthcare provider if you’re managing a serious medical condition.

Here is an example of what red light therapy treatment looks like when targeting a specific body part. In this case we cover Red Light Therapy for EyeBags (& Dark Circles). 

What Are the Side Effects of Too Much Red Light Therapy?

Yes, but let’s be clear. Red light therapy won’t burn you. It wont cook your tissues, or secretly mess with your DNA. This isn’t tanning. BUT overdoing it can blunt your results, or irritate your skin.

Here’s what “too much” looks like:

• You’re stacking sessions multiple times a day without any clear reason.
  
  

• Your skin feels tight, red, or hot after sessions (especially on your face or chest).
  
  

• You feel foggy or fatigued instead of refreshed.
  
  

Red light therapy works by gently stimulating a healing process. But just like with exercise or supplements, your cells/body need time to rest and respond. Think of it like sunlight for your cells, a little helps things grow, too much fries the leaves (we love our analogies!) .

If you’re chasing long-term results, less pain, more mobility and faster recovery…then trust the process. Progress doesn’t mean pushing every day to the limit. It means dosing smartly. And just so you’re also fully aware, Infrared Sauna Dangers also exist. We also cover how to avoid them. 

Conclusion: How Often Can You Use Red Light Therapy for Pain?

Red light therapy isn’t about blasting your body with light until something happens. Far from it! It’s about understanding your needs, dialing in the right routine, then listening to your body along the way. Whether you decide to do it for pain relief, recovery, or just feeling better overall, please remember that more isn’t always better. 

Frequently Asked Questions: Red Light Therapy for Pain

Can I use red light therapy more than once a day?
Technically yes, but it depends on your device and how your body responds. Most people do best with one session per area per day.

How long should each session be?
Typically 10-20 minutes per body part. Powerful panels might need less time; handhelds might need more.

How soon will I feel results?
Some notice reduced pain or stiffness in a few sessions. For chronic pain, expect 2-4 weeks of consistent use before judging your results.

Is daily red light therapy safe long term?
Yes, for most people. Just regularly check for irritation and don’t overdo it. Think quality and consistency over sheer quantity.

Can I pair red light therapy with other recovery tools?
Absolutely. Many users combine it with compression boots, PEMF therapy, or even infrared saunas. Just space out the sessions to avoid overdoing it all. 

Keep Exploring:

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This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. Always consult your qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new health, wellness or recovery regimen.