Red Light Therapy and Laser in Clinical Care

Another tool in the toolbox for holistic pain management

At Bodhi Health Acupuncture, we’re always looking to improve outcomes for our clients using safe, integrated, and evidence-informed therapies. Over the years, one therapy that has gained real traction—both in clinical experience and in broader allied health settings—is red light therapy, including its application through laser and mat-based devices.

Where This Started for Me

My exposure to red light therapy came through working alongside an occupational therapist who regularly supports clients under NDIS care. Many of these clients presented with complex conditions—brain injuries, stroke recovery, post-surgical healing, nerve issues like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, or simply long-standing pain that hadn’t responded to conventional treatments.

This therapist had a toolkit that reminded me of James Bond’s Q—always experimenting with new technologies that might help where others had failed. Among his tools: red light therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, sauna, acupuncture, TENS machines, and more. What stood out to me was how often clients themselves would mention—unprompted—that they were using red light therapy at home, finding it beneficial for back or shoulder pain, or general tension.

It was enough to get my attention.

What Does Red Light Therapy Actually Do?

Red light therapy (also called photobiomodulation) works by delivering specific wavelengths of red or near-infrared light to the body’s tissues. This light penetrates through the skin to stimulate the mitochondria—the energy centers of our cells. That stimulation is believed to help:

• Improve circulation

• Reduce inflammation

• Support tissue healing

• Decrease pain signaling

• Enhance cellular regeneration

You could think of it as feeding the body’s “cellular engine” a little more fuel. While it’s not a magic bullet, it seems to offer meaningful support—especially when layered into a broader treatment plan.

The evidence base for red light therapy is considered strong and still growing, particularly in the areas of musculoskeletal pain, soft tissue recovery, and inflammation. Clinical trials and meta-analyses show clear, measurable benefits—especially when applied in consistent, therapeutic doses [1][2]. It’s being used in settings ranging from physical therapy clinics to post-surgical recovery rooms, and even in elite sports and performance medicine.

How We Use It in Clinic

At Bodhi Health, red light therapy is never a standalone therapy. It’s always used in combination with other treatments when clinically appropriate—acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, massage, and herbal strategies. It’s not an upsell, not a premium add-on. It’s simply part of our layered approach to care.

Here are some ways we currently integrate red light therapy:

• In musculoskeletal pain cases, alongside acupuncture and cupping

• For patients who can’t have electroacupuncture (e.g., those with pacemakers)

• In short, gentle applications for children

• As an alternative support for inflammation, stiffness, and tension

• Soon, we’ll also be integrating red light mats, especially for clients with broader tension areas like the back and shoulders

Some clients respond best to the sensation of warmth and relaxation. Others report a deeper feeling of “reset” following red light and acupuncture treatments combined. While we can’t speak in absolute terms, the pattern of results across diverse clients is enough to keep it as a regular part of our practice.

A Safe, Gentle Adjunct to Chinese Medicine

Red light therapy has long been used in veterinary and equine medicine, especially with performance animals like racehorses. As research and accessibility have improved, it’s become more widely used in human health settings—including allied health, physical therapy, and rehabilitation clinics.

It’s also being explored in promising early research for nerve regeneration, wound healing, and even cognitive recovery after brain injury [3][4]. While not yet mainstream in every application, its integration into clinical care is increasing—backed by a foundation of evidence-based mechanisms and positive safety profiles.

In our clinic, it fits beautifully alongside the principles of Chinese medicine. Where acupuncture works to move Qi and blood, red light helps support the tissues at a cellular level. Where moxa warms and nourishes, red light energizes and stimulates healing responses. For clients who’ve tried everything, it can be a fresh way forward.

Part of the System, Not an Extra Charge

We don’t treat red light therapy as an isolated modality or as a premium service. It’s included when it suits the case and adds value to the treatment. Our goal is always to offer whole-person care—not just needle insertion, but a full, integrative approach that supports the body from multiple angles.

Luke Paten – Bodhi Health Acupuncture / Sunshine Coast

Optional Client Resources:

For those interested in the clinical research:

1. Stausholm MB et al. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy on pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci. 2017.

2. Chaves MEA et al. Photobiomodulation therapy for musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain and Therapy. 2022.

3. Naeser MA et al. Improved cognitive function after transcranial, light-emitting diode treatments in chronic, traumatic brain injury. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014.

4. Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics. 2017.