Red Light Laser Light Therapy: A Game Changer in Workout Recovery and Cell Rejuvenation?
by Melinda Burris

Red light therapy (RLT) is all the rage in the health and anti-aging community these days where wands, boards, beds, and even mobile devices offering this new form of therapy can be found everywhere from doctor’s offices to gyms and even upscale spas and salons. So, what is red light therapy and how can it help elite athletes like hurdlers reach new heights of performance and recover from the rigors of training and competition faster?

What Is Red Light Therapy and How Does It Work?

Though commonly referred to simply as red light therapy, because of the color of the LED lights used, the scientific term for this type of healing treatment is photobiomodulation and when used with lighting as with red light therapy, it is known as photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT).

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The process involves the application of low-level laser light therapy by exposing an area of the body to LED lights, enabling the cells in the body to absorb the low-wave energy. As with many modern innovations from cell phones to the Internet, the technology for PBMT was discovered by NASA researchers decades ago. While the initial goal of the scientists’ experiment with this light therapy was to facilitate plant growth, the investigators soon noticed that cuts and other imperfections on their skin began to heal at a rapid rate. Dr. Craig Ziering, a board-certified dermatologist, explains this phenomenon is due to the fact that “Red light is bioactive in humans. The body responds to it beneficially similar to how plants respond to sunlight.”¹

Since NASA stumbled across the benefits of light therapy for humans, millions of dollars have gone into researching its healing properties and the various ways it can be applied to improve the human condition.¹

It is important to understand that PBMT or red light therapy is so effective because although the technique is noninvasive, requiring only that the skin be exposed to the light, the LED lighting penetrates beneath the layers of skin to reach the cellular level of the body. At the same time, there is no risk of burn or surface marks because the body simply absorbs energy in the form of photons by being exposed to this special light. The procedure is also pain-free. The area that receives the light therapy is rejuvenated because this energy is absorbed deep into the mitochondria of the body’s cells, which is believed to stimulate faster cell renewal, and importantly for elite athletes, the ability for muscles to recover at an accelerated rate.¹

The Cost

As with most new technologies, the initial price tag that came with LED treatments was a bit off-putting. Medical-grade red light treatments can still be somewhat pricey but have become more affordable over time as the technology has come into common use.

There are now also a plethora of good-quality home use alternatives ranging from light stands, panels, and more. If you opt for an at-home version, just be sure to do your homework, pay attention to online reviews, and consult a dermatologist or a knowledgeable trainer familiar with the treatment and the various brands and applications before making an investment.

Professional athletes of course have access to the most sophisticated RLT devices available. Sports medicine doctors routinely have specialized red light beds in their offices or physical therapy locations these athletes can get into for a literal full body treatment. For these high-level competitors, investment in the most advanced technology available is certainly worth it to shorten recovery time as much as possible.

Thanks to the efforts of entrepreneurial protégé Forest Smith, red light therapy can be achieved on the go thanks to the creation of a wearable near-infrared device that is produced by Kineon, a company Smith co-founded and serves as CEO for. The device has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration and shows just how far this technology has evolved in a relatively short time.³

RLT Is Beneficial for Fitness Enthusiasts Too

Experts make it clear that everyone can benefit from the rejuvenating effects red light therapy offers, even if you are simply a fitness enthusiast or just trying to maintain a healthy exercise regimen. Thanks to the energy your body derives from RLT, you should see improvement in your stamina, performance, and of course, your recovery time.  Experts also believe that in addition to shortening the recovery process, using RLT prior to working out may help you avoid muscle soreness to begin with. And who wouldn’t want that?²

For those with chronic injuries or conditions, and patients recovering from surgery, these beds have also proved to be effective in fast-forwarding the healing process. Given the opioid epidemic the nation and indeed the world faces, healthcare providers have high hopes this technology can speed healing while reducing the need for prescribing medications that are known to be addictive.²

Elite sports associations are openly acknowledging their partnerships with the manufacturers and suppliers of red light therapy devices. For example, in March of last year, the national governing body of swimming in the states, USA Swimming, released a press release announcing it had embarked on a partnership for one year with JustLight, naming the company the sports organization’s Official Supplier of Red Light Therapy.⁴ Certainly an unequivocal sign that red light therapy has gone mainstream and been formally embraced by the elite sports community. As Tim Hinchey, USA Swimming CEO and President put it: “Together, we will ensure our athletes have access [to] the most cutting-edge technology and every competitive advantage as they continue a tradition of international success.”⁴

A Word of Caution

If you are considering giving red light therapy a try to enhance your recovery time, be sure to consult your physician first. This is particularly important if you are taking certain prescription medications that can make you more sensitive to light and LED energy. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry.¹

References:

1. Blanton, K. (12 September 2022). The Pros and Cons of Red Light Therapy.
2. Luppino, O. (24 September 2024). Red Light Therapy: Benefits for Athletic Performance, Recovery, and Pain Relief.
3. Bier, J. (4 October 2024). How This Company Is Innovating Red-Light Therapy By Making Lasers Wearable.
4. org (19 March 2024). JustLight Becomes the Official Supplier of Smart (Red) Light Therapy™ for USA Swimming.

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