Red Light Therapy For Shoulder Pain

Medically reviewed by Karen Wolters, RN and Joanna Fearnley, LPN

Red light therapy for shoulder pain can offer many benefits, that other treatments won’t provide. Did you know that “the shoulder is the most moveable joint in the body?”[1]  But it is unstable and prone to injury “Because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the socket of the shoulder….” [2]

Unfortunately, this simple fact about the human body makes everyone susceptible to a shoulder injury at some point in life.

Common shoulder problems like rotator cuff tendonitis and injuries, frozen shoulder, swimmer’s shoulder, snapping scapula syndrome, shoulder bursitis, and rheumatoid arthritis can be debilitating, for the pain associated with any type of shoulder injury can be brutal.

And to make matters worse, on top of the pain, the limited range of motion, muscle weakness, and soft tissue swelling can have a dramatic impact on your quality of life.  What can help?

Shop Red Light Therapy for Shoulder Pain

Medical Treatment vs. Red Light Therapy for Shoulder Pain

Traditional medical treatment for shoulder issues range from over-the-counter pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants for non-acute conditions, to lidocaine or corticosteroid injections for acute and chronic conditions.

And in instances of more serious problems, doctors may prescribe partial and even entire shoulder joint replacement (arthroplasty) surgery.

But red light therapy for shoulder pain is a much more natural approach.

Non-invasive Red Light/Infrared Therapy can bring fast-acting and effective relief from shoulder aches, pains, and stiffness without the long list of negative side effects so common today with pharmaceutical drugs, and the risks and pain of injections and/or surgery.

In addition to pain relief, Red Light/Infrared Therapy also increases circulation, reduces swelling, and stimulates, accelerates, and supports the body’s own innate healing processes to gradually regenerate nerves and tissues – an important beneficial outcome which pain relievers and muscle relaxants cannot achieve.

For science has discovered that “…low doses of light have demonstrated the ability to heal skin, nerves, tendons, cartilage and bones.”

[3]  Just a simple and relaxing twenty-minute therapy session can effectively reduce pain and stiffness,  improving shoulder joint range of motion — and putting you on the path to the return of arm function.

The Benefits Of Red Light Therapy For Shoulder Pain

Red light therapy can offer several benefits for shoulder pain relief. Here are some of the ways in which red light therapy can be advantageous:

• Pain Reduction: Red light therapy for shoulders has been shown to have analgesic properties, meaning it can help reduce pain. When applied to the affected shoulder area, the red light wavelengths penetrate deep into the tissues, stimulating cellular activity and promoting the release of endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving compounds. This can help alleviate shoulder pain and discomfort.
• Improved Circulation: Red light therapy promotes vasodilation, which is the widening of blood vessels. This leads to increased blood flow to the shoulder area. Improved circulation helps deliver oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells to the affected tissues, aiding in their repair and reducing pain.
• Self-administration at Home: Red light therapy for shoulders is user-friendly and can be self-administered in the comfort of one’s own home. This accessibility makes it a convenient option for individuals seeking regular treatments without the need for frequent visits to a healthcare professional.
• Complementary Therapy: Red light therapy can be used in conjunction with other treatments for shoulder pain, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, or massage therapy. Combining red light therapy with these modalities can potentially amplify their therapeutic effects, providing a comprehensive approach to shoulder pain management.

It’s important to note that the specific parameters of red light therapy, such as duration and frequency of sessions, may vary depending on the severity and underlying cause of the shoulder pain. Consulting with a healthcare professional or a qualified practitioner can help determine the most appropriate approach and optimize the benefits of red light therapy for shoulder pain relief.

Best Red Light Therapy Pads for Shoulders

When choosing a Red Light/Infrared Therapy system for treating shoulder issues, it is most important that the therapy pads cover the entire shoulder area.  HealthLight, a US manufacturer of professional medical-grade light therapy systems, offers 5 different red light therapy pads that are excellent for treating the shoulder. And as all HealthLight pads are flexible, this makes them also versatile – meaning that the same therapy pad can be used to treat many additional areas of the body. The chart below illustrates the best red light therapy for shoulder pain.

Choose HealthLight

Shop Red Light Therapy for Shoulder Pain

From the soles of your feet all the way up to your shoulders and neck, Red Light/Infrared Therapy can benefit your body.  Light therapy brings fast, effective, and dependable relief from aches, pains, and stiffness, and accelerates your body’s own innate healing processes.

HealthLight makes the most powerful clinical strength LED Red Light/Infrared Therapy systems available in today’s marketplace.  LED Light Therapy systems from HealthLight are durable, high quality medical-grade devices for both clinics and consumers that deliver the optimum amount of joules for the best therapeutic outcomes. Try red light therapy for shoulder pain.

HealthLight offers a variety of red light systems to meet the needs of any individual, family, or health clinic. When choosing Red Light/Infrared Therapy equipment — choose HealthLight! 

[1] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/shoulder-pain-and-problems

[2] Ibid.

[3] Cotler, Howard B. et al.  The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain. MOJ Orthop Rheumatol. 2015  ;  2(5): . doi:10.15406/mojor.2015.02.00068, p. 4.