4 Surprising Findings on Red Light Therapy for Joints

5 Reasons Heat Therapy Is Great for Your Heart

19 October 2026

4 Surprising Links Between Heat and Mood

20 October 2026

Why Joints and Muscles Deserve Attention

Joints and muscles carry us through every day, from climbing stairs to carrying shopping to playing with grandchildren. Keeping them comfortable is one of the most practical parts of healthy ageing, and it helps you stay active, which in turn supports your heart, brain and mood.

Researchers have been testing red and near-infrared light on joints and muscles for many years, usually in the form of low-level light applied to a specific area. The reviews below bring dozens of trials together, which gives a much clearer picture than any single study.

Red Light Therapy for Joints at a Glance

Knees: a review of 22 trials with 1,063 people found less knee pain than placebo, using laser-based devices.
Pain scale: the average difference was 14.23 mm on a 100 mm pain scale in favour of light.
Muscles: a review of 39 trials with 861 participants found some effect in favour of light for muscle performance and fatigue.
Light range: wavelengths from 655 to 950 nm gave the best results in the muscle review.
Session: a red light session at Aeva takes about 20 to 30 minutes, lying comfortably in a bed.

1. Less Knee Pain Than Placebo

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons people feel their joints slowing them down. A systematic review and meta-analysis in BMJ Open pooled 22 randomised trials with 1,063 people and compared low-level light therapy with placebo. Pain scores were lower in the light groups, with an average reduction of 14.23 mm on the 100 mm visual analogue scale.

That is a meaningful signal, and the authors noted that the benefit was seen with laser-based devices. This is an important point of honesty: the trials used focused, low-level laser applied to the knee rather than a full-body red light bed, so they describe the general promise of light for joints rather than the exact experience at Aeva. They are the strongest evidence available on red light therapy for joints, and they are encouraging.

Source: Stausholm et al., BMJ Open, 2019.

2. Better Muscle Performance

Many people first meet red light through sport, so researchers have tested it on muscle too. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Vanin and colleagues covered 39 trials with 861 participants. It found some effect in favour of light for improving time to exhaustion, the number of repetitions people could do and fatigue-related measures.

In simple terms, using light before or after exercise appeared to help people do a little more and feel a little less tired in many of the studies. Results varied between trials, because the dose, the timing and the type of exercise differed, so treat this as an encouraging pattern rather than a promise of a particular result. Our guide to red light therapy for recovery, joints and sleep covers the topic in more depth.

Source: Vanin et al., Lasers in Medical Science, 2018.

3. The Best Wavelengths Are Well Studied

Not all light is the same. The muscle review reported that wavelengths between 655 and 950 nm, covering deep red and near-infrared light, produced the best results. Knowing the useful range matters, because it helps providers choose devices that match what the research has actually tested.

At Aeva, red light sessions use a bed that delivers light in the red and near-infrared range. Our team is happy to explain how it works and what you can expect, so you feel confident before your first visit. Cheap lamps and masks vary a great deal in strength and wavelength, which is another reason to choose a trained team.

Source: Vanin et al., Lasers in Medical Science, 2018.

4. A Clear Science Behind the Light

It helps to know why light might work. A review by de Freitas and Hamblin explains that red and near-infrared light is absorbed by a protein in the cell’s energy factories, the mitochondria. This is thought to boost the production of ATP, the cell’s energy currency, and to influence signals involved in healing and inflammation.

In everyday language, light gives cells a little extra energy to do their work. That is a plausible reason why tissues such as muscle and joint may respond, and why red light therapy for joints continues to attract research. The science is still developing, and researchers are working to find the best doses.

Source: de Freitas and Hamblin, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 2016.

Putting Red Light Therapy for Joints in Context

Good evidence deserves honest framing. The knee trials used focused laser devices, the muscle review pooled very different studies, and none of this replaces medical care. If you have persistent joint pain, swelling or an injury, please see your doctor first, because proper diagnosis comes before any wellness routine.

For people who are generally well and want to look after their joints, red light therapy for joints is a gentle, comfortable option to explore. It sits well alongside the foundations of joint health, which are regular movement, a healthy weight, strong muscles and good sleep.

Study Snapshot: What Each Review Measured

Review	Evidence base	Light used	What was reported
Stausholm et al., 2019	22 trials, 1,063 people with knee osteoarthritis	Low-level laser therapy versus placebo	Average 14.23 mm less pain on a 100 mm scale
Vanin et al., 2018	39 trials, 861 participants	Red and near-infrared light, best at 655 to 950 nm	Some effect for time to exhaustion, repetitions and fatigue
de Freitas and Hamblin, 2016	Mechanism review	Red and near-infrared light	Absorbed in mitochondria, supporting cell energy

What a Red Light Session Feels Like

A red light session at Aeva lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. You lie comfortably in a bed, wear protective eyewear if advised and simply relax while the light does its work. Most people describe a gentle, pleasant warmth and a calm feeling afterwards. There is no downtime, so you can go straight back to your day.

Most studies used repeated sessions over days to weeks, so a regular routine is where people tend to look for results. Our red light therapy in Kuala Lumpur guide explains the first visit step by step, and red light therapy benefits covers the wider research.

Moving Well: Habits That Keep Joints Happy

Follow the World Health Organization target of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity a week.
Add muscle-strengthening work on two or more days, since strong muscles support the joints around them.
Older adults can add balance and strength training on three or more days to help prevent falls.
Warm up before exercise and cool down afterwards.
Protect your sleep, because that is when the body repairs itself.

Red light fits into a bigger plan, and our guide to a weekly longevity routine shows how to combine everything.

Who May Enjoy Red Light Therapy

Most healthy adults find red light comfortable. People who are active, who train regularly or who simply like a restful half hour often enjoy it. If you are pregnant, take medicines that make you sensitive to light, or have a health condition, speak to your doctor first. The friendly team at Aeva Longevity Centre is happy to help you plan a comfortable first visit through the contact page.

Planning Red Light Therapy for Joints Into Your Week

A simple plan makes red light therapy for joints easy to keep up. Start by choosing two or three regular days that fit your calendar, such as the evening after a workout or a quiet weekend morning. Keep a short note of how your knees, back and muscles feel before and after, so you can see your own pattern over a few weeks.

Many people pair red light therapy for joints with gentle stretching, a short walk and a strength session, because movement and light complement each other. Share your goals with our team, mention any past injuries and ask how long a course usually lasts. Honest expectations make the experience far more enjoyable, and our team is always glad to adjust the plan as you go.

Finally, remember that the best results in any wellness routine come from consistency. Red light therapy for joints is a comfortable, low-effort habit, which makes it easy to keep going, week after week.

FAQ

Does red light therapy for joints work?

A review of 22 trials found less knee pain than placebo with laser-based devices, and a review of 39 trials found some benefit for muscle performance and fatigue. Results vary, and research is still developing.

How long is a red light session?

About 20 to 30 minutes, lying comfortably in a bed.

How often should I try red light therapy for joints?

Studies used repeated sessions over days to weeks, so a regular routine works well. Our team will suggest a plan around your goals.

Is red light therapy for joints the same as a laser?

The knee trials used low-level laser applied to the joint, while Aeva uses a red light bed. Both use red and near-infrared light, but they are different devices, so our team explains the difference.

Can I use red light after exercise?

Many people do. Research on timing is still emerging, and our team can suggest what suits your training.

Should I see a doctor about joint pain first?

Yes, if you have persistent pain, swelling or an injury, a proper diagnosis comes first. Red light is a wellness support and not a replacement for medical care.

Sources

Stausholm MB et al. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy on pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis. BMJ Open, 2019.
Vanin AA et al. Photobiomodulation therapy for the improvement of muscular performance and reduction of muscular fatigue. Lasers Med Sci, 2018.
de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR. Proposed mechanisms of photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy. IEEE J Sel Top Quantum Electron, 2016.
World Health Organization. Physical activity fact sheet.

General information only, not medical advice. Red light therapy supports wellness and does not replace medical care. Speak to your doctor if you have a health condition.