Red Light Therapy For Arthritis

Summary

Learn how red light therapy can help manage arthritis pain safely and effectively. FDA-cleared HealthLight devices support pain relief, reduce stiffness and swelling, improve circulation, and promote joint function — offering a non-invasive, drug-free way to improve daily mobility and quality of life.

Medically reviewed by Karen Wolters, RN

Arthritis: America’s Leading Cause of Disability

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain and stiffness, and millions of people look for safe, drug-free ways to manage their symptoms. Red light therapy for arthritis has become a popular option because it can help relieve pain, improve circulation, and ease stiffness so you can move more comfortably throughout your day.

Most people would never guess that America’s leading cause of disability is actually arthritis, which is why red light therapy for arthritis is becoming more and more renowned. According to the Arthritis Foundation’s website, “As the nation’s #1 cause of disability, arthritis affects nearly 60 million adults and 300,000 children.” Osteo-arthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is prevalent among seniors. “It is the main cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain and disability among the elderly population.”

 

What Are The Effects of Arthritis?

“Arthritis” is a general term used for joint pain or joint disease. The CDC explains that, “Arthritis means inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. It describes more than 100 conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint and other connective tissues.”
Although the risk of developing arthritis increases with age, arthritis can affect people of all ages. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) affects children, causing inflammation and joint stiffness.

 

Joint Damage and Reduced Mobility

Because arthritis makes joints worsen over time, it can reduce range of motion in joints and in connective tissues, which in the case of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), can limit mobility. Permanent limb deformities such as knobby finger joints can also result.

Whole-Body Impact of Arthritis

In addition to affecting the joints, arthritis can also harm other body areas, such as the skin, heart, eyes, lungs, and kidneys. Rheumatoid arthritis can also damage the immune system. Red light therapy for arthritis has been developed to help manage pain caused by arthritis.

 

How Red Light Therapy Helps Arthritis

Red light therapy supports people with arthritis by helping manage the core symptoms that make daily movement difficult. HealthLight devices use red and near-infrared wavelengths that gently warm the area, support healthy circulation, and provide natural relief of aches, stiffness, and discomfort.

When light reaches the tissues around painful joints, it encourages local circulation, which helps bring oxygen and nutrients to the area. This increase in blood flow supports the body’s natural ability to ease soreness and improve comfort during movement.

Many users also notice reduced morning stiffness and improved mobility after consistent use. Because red light therapy is noninvasive and drug-free, it can be used daily as part of a long-term routine to help manage ongoing joint discomfort.

HealthLight’s red light therapy pads are FDA-cleared for temporarily relieving aches and stiffness associated with arthritis. When used regularly, they can help you move more comfortably, maintain activity levels, and support overall joint wellness.

 

 

Arthritis Cannot Be Cured, But You Can Manage Pain With Red Light Therapy

What the CDC and Johns Hopkins Say About Arthritis Treatment

Unfortunately for arthritis sufferers, the prevailing medical opinion is that arthritis can only be “managed.” It cannot be permanently cured. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website clearly states, “There is no cure for arthritis. The goal of treatment is often to limit pain and inflammation, and help ensure joint function.”

The Role of Pain and Inflammation Management

The CDC website explains: “The focus of arthritis treatment is to: control pain, minimize joint damage, improve or maintain physical function and quality of life. In inflammatory types of arthritis, it is also important to control inflammation.” Red light therapy for arthritis can help you manage pain and inflammation.

 

Common Arthritis Treatments and Their Drawbacks

NSAIDs, DMARDs, and Other Medications

Just as with other diseases, modern medicine takes a pharmacological approach to treating arthritis. For osteoarthritis (OA), “Treatment is with analgesics (acetaminophen), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen and diclofenac), and COX2 inhibitors (Celebrex by Pfizer)…” Anti-depressants such as Cymbalta may also be prescribed, or corticosteroids in pills or injections. For rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the primary treatment is disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). However, over time, if drugs are not successful, then doctors may recommend surgery for joint repair, joint replacement, or joint fusion. Joint surgery is most often on the hip and knee. These are invasive treatments, which can be avoided by using red light therapy for arthritis as an alternative way to manage pain.

 

Side Effects and Long-Term Risks

Side effects of common arthritis treatments only highlights the needs for red light therapy for arthritis. Although commonly prescribed, both NSAIDs and DMARDs present significant risks for adverse side effects. According to the Arthritis Foundation, “All non-aspirin NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious blood clots, heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk can occur as early as the first weeks using an NSAID and increases with dose and duration of use.” And in addition, non-fatal but uncomfortable and distressing side effects of NSAIDs may include: abdominal cramps, pain or discomfort; diarrhea; gastrointestinal bleeding; dizziness; drowsiness; heartburn; headache; high blood pressure; nausea or vomiting; peptic ulcer; rash; swelling of the feet; and ringing in the ears. And with DMARDs, “…most DMARDs increase your risk of infections.” And each DMARD has its own list of adverse side effects. The adverse side effects of corticosteroids may include bone thinning, weight gain, and diabetes. So, is there a way to manage arthritis without adverse side effects and the potential risk of fatality?

 

A Safer Alternative: Red Light Therapy for Arthritis

If you find the adverse side effects of NSAIDs, DMARDs, and corticosteroids concerning, especially since arthritis requires long-term treatment, there is a safer and more natural way to effectively manage arthritis without the risks presented by pharmaceuticals — Red Light Therapy.

 

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Basically, red light therapy is perfect for arthritis as it uses red and near-infrared light, which is used to “…treat a multitude of conditions that require stimulation of healing, relief of pain and inflammation, and restoration of function” – including arthritis. Red Light Therapy for arthritis is also known as “photobiomodulation (PBM);” photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT);” and low-level light therapy (LLLT).”

 

Why It’s Suited for Arthritis Management

Red light therapy for arthritis has been proven to have no known risks or harmful side effects, offering “… a non-invasive, safe, drug-free, and side-effect-free method for pain relief of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions as well as fibromyalgia.” Furthermore, “The combination of good evidence and virtually no side effects make PBMT ideally suited to become an alternative for all future pain treatments.” A simple and easy twenty-minute red light therapy session each morning can reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling, which in turn should increase joint mobility and range of motion — helping those with arthritis to function better throughout their day.

 

Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Arthritis

Scientific studies confirm that Red Light Therapy is highly effective for relieving the symptoms associated with arthritis, including OA and RA, making Red Light Therapy ideally suited for treating this disease. Below are the benefits of using red light therapy for arthritis:

Drug-Free Pain Relief

With Red Light Therapy (a/k/a LLLT), “Fast acting pain relief occurs within minutes of application…” And, “According to the more than 4000 studies on pub.med.gov, it can be concluded that the majority of laboratory and clinical studies have demonstrated that LLLT has a positive effect on acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain.” And compared to pharmaceuticals, “The positive effect from LLLT seems to last longer than those of widely recommended painkiller drugs.”

Reduced Inflammation

“One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints…” Also, “LLLT is a promising treatment for RA given its non-invasive nature and anti-inflammatory effects. Current research in pre-clinical studies shows that it could play a major role in attenuating the immune response that leads to joint destruction and debilitation.”

Improved Joint Function and Range of Motion

Unlike drugs, red light therapy for arthritis can help repair, restore, and regenerate the connective tissues surrounding joints, which is crucial for combating the degenerative effects of arthritis. Red Light Therapy (PBMT) has been found “…to have profound biological effects on tissue including increased cell proliferation, accelerating the healing process, promoting tissue regeneration, preventing cell death, anti-inflammatory activity and relief of pain.”

Tissue Repair and Cartilage Support

Red Light Therapy can truly benefit those suffering from arthritis because, “These low doses of light have demonstrated the ability to heal skin, nerves, tendons, cartilage and bones.”

Reduced Swelling and Stiffness

Research studies prove that Red Light Therapy pads successfully reduce swelling. “The action of LLLT in reducing swelling and inflammation has been well established in animal models, as well as in clinical trials.”. As infra-red light penetrates deeply into tissues and joints, Red Light Therapy can be depended upon to relieve joint stiffness, which in turn improves joint mobility. Red Light Therapy devices have received FDA clearance for relieving the aches and stiffness caused by arthritis.

 

Managing Arthritis with Red Light Therapy. Daily and Long-Term

If Red Light Therapy provided only one of the six benefits listed above, that would be enough to make it a helpful tool for managing arthritis. But the fact that Red Light Therapy provides all six benefits to help relieve every major symptom of arthritis makes Red Light Therapy indispensable to arthritis sufferers, and exactly what they need daily in order to reduce joint pain and stiffness, increase joint mobility, restore function, and improve their quality of life!

 

Why Choose HealthLight for Arthritis Support

Designed for Comfort and Convenience

Arthritis does not have to be a painful burden and a restriction upon your daily activities! A Red Light Therapy device can help you effectively manage your arthritis symptoms and improve your quality of life! But all Red Light Therapy devices are not created equal. Get the best support for your joints by purchasing your Red Light Therapy pad from HealthLight. All Red Light Therapy devices by HealthLight are FDA-cleared for relieving the aches and stiffness caused by arthritis. Try red light therapy for arthritis today!

FDA-Listed Devices Built for Clinical Results

For osteoarthritis of the knee or shoulder, HealthLight’s “Knee & Shoulder” Red Light Therapy Pad provides substantial benefits to those areas. HealthLight makes the most powerful clinical-strength Red Light Therapy devices available in today’s marketplace to provide you the therapeutic benefits of Red Light Therapy in the convenience of your home. HealthLight offers a wide choice of Red Light Therapy pads and controllers to meet the needs and budget of any individual, family, or health practitioner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is red light therapy good for arthritis?
FDA-cleared red light therapy devices are commonly used to relieve arthritis-related pain, stiffness, and aches while supporting healthy circulation.

Q: How long does it take to feel relief?
Many people feel relief during or shortly after a session, though consistent daily use tends to provide the best results.

Q: Can red light therapy improve circulation?
Yes — increased circulation is one of the FDA-cleared benefits of red light therapy.

Q: Is it safe to use red light therapy every day?
Red light therapy is non-invasive and drug-free. Many users incorporate a 20-minute daily session into their routine, but frequency can vary by individual.

Q: Do I need a large panel to treat arthritis?
No. Flexible red light therapy pads fit closely around joints, which allows more direct light contact and can be easier and more comfortable than large panels.