Red light therapy has become one of the most talked-about wellness treatments in recent years, and for good reason. What was once found mostly in specialized clinics is now showing up in gyms, spas, and even at-home devices marketed to consumers. At Denver Chiropractic, we offer a customized red light therapy bed designed to support pain relief, recovery, and overall wellness as part of a well-rounded treatment plan, rather than a stand-alone gimmick.
If you have been curious about red light therapy but are not sure what it actually does or whether it is worth trying, this guide will walk through the basics, what conditions it can help with, and what to expect from a session here in Denver.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to interact with cells in the body, similar in concept to cold laser therapy but delivered through a full-body bed rather than a targeted handheld device. Rather than generating heat like a tanning bed, red light therapy works at a cellular level to support the body’s natural repair processes, making it a fundamentally different experience even though both involve lying under a light source.
Not all red light therapy beds are created equal. Many products on the market focus on marketing the number of LED lights included, but the more important factor is irradiance, which refers to how much light energy actually reaches the body during a session. A bed with a high LED count but low irradiance may look impressive on paper while delivering far less therapeutic benefit than a properly engineered system. Our bed is designed around irradiance rather than LED count alone, which allows for deeper tissue penetration and a more effective treatment overall.
The Wavelengths Used in Red Light Therapy
- Red light, which works at the surface to support skin health and healing
- Deep red light, which is absorbed by cells to support energy production and reduce inflammation
- Near-infrared light, which reaches deeper into muscle and nerve tissue
- Infrared light, which penetrates further into muscles and joints to support circulation
- Far-infrared light, which reaches the deepest tissue layers to support relaxation and detoxification
Using a combination of these wavelengths together, rather than just one, allows a single session to address multiple layers of tissue at once. Surface-level wavelengths support skin health, while the deeper wavelengths work on muscles, joints, and nerve tissue simultaneously. This is one of the key advantages of a full-body bed compared to smaller handheld or panel devices, which typically cannot deliver the same combination of depth and coverage in a single session.
Who Can Benefit From Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is versatile and appeals to a wide range of patients, from athletes managing recovery to individuals dealing with chronic pain or simply looking for a restorative addition to their routine. Some of the most common reasons patients try our red light therapy bed include:
- Muscle recovery after intense exercise or training
- Chronic joint pain and arthritis-related discomfort
- Post-injury or post-surgery healing support
- Nerve-related discomfort and reduced circulation
- General wellness and stress reduction
- Support for skin health and collagen production
Because it is non-invasive and drug-free, red light therapy is often appealing to patients who want to support their recovery without adding medication into the mix. It can be a useful complement to other therapies rather than a replacement for hands-on treatment, especially when combined with chiropractic care for a more complete approach to pain management. Patients recovering from physically demanding jobs or long hours at a desk also sometimes use it as part of a broader recovery routine alongside other supportive care, such as the changes outlined in our guide to ergonomic consultations for desk-related pain.
How Red Light Therapy Supports Recovery
The benefits of red light therapy come from how the different wavelengths interact with the body’s cells and tissues. Each wavelength penetrates to a different depth, which is why a well-designed session uses multiple wavelengths together rather than relying on just one. This layered approach is part of what separates a clinical-grade bed from a simpler, single-wavelength device.
Supporting Cellular Energy Production
Deep red light is absorbed by structures within cells that play a role in energy production. This process is thought to support faster tissue repair and reduced inflammation, which is part of why red light therapy is popular among athletes looking to shorten recovery time between training sessions. Faster cellular energy production can also mean less downtime between workouts or physical activities that would otherwise leave muscles feeling depleted for days.
Improving Circulation
Infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper into muscles and joints, where they can help stimulate blood flow to the treated area. Better circulation supports the delivery of oxygen and nutrients that tissues need to repair themselves, similar to some of the benefits seen with cold laser therapy. Improved circulation can also help flush out inflammatory byproducts that tend to build up in overworked or injured tissue.
Supporting Relaxation
Far-infrared wavelengths reach the deepest layers of tissue and are often associated with a relaxing, soothing effect during and after treatment. Many patients use red light therapy sessions as a way to unwind while still supporting their physical recovery, making it a nice option for winding down after a stressful week or a demanding training block.
What to Expect During a Session
A red light therapy session is simple and comfortable. Patients lie on the bed for a set period while the light delivers its therapeutic wavelengths across the body. There is no discomfort involved, and most patients find the experience relaxing rather than clinical. Some describe it as similar to lying under a gentle, warm light, without the intense heat associated with a sauna or tanning bed.
Session Length
Sessions are typically short, and most patients can fit a treatment into a lunch break or between other appointments without disrupting their day. This makes it easy to build into a regular wellness routine without requiring major schedule changes.
Combining With Other Therapies
Red light therapy pairs well with other treatments offered at our clinic, including chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue techniques. Many patients use it as a recovery tool between more targeted treatments to help maintain progress between visits, particularly if they are also dealing with tension from long hours at a desk or physically demanding work.
No Downtime Required
Because red light therapy is non-invasive, there is no recovery time needed. Patients can return to their normal activities immediately following a session, whether that means heading back to work, hitting the gym, or simply going about the rest of their day.
Common Questions About Red Light Therapy
Patients considering red light therapy for the first time often have a few recurring questions before they book their first session.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe?
Red light therapy is generally considered safe and non-invasive, without the radiation exposure associated with X-ray imaging or the heat exposure associated with tanning beds. Most patients tolerate sessions comfortably with no notable side effects. As with any treatment, patients with certain skin sensitivities or specific medical conditions should mention this to their provider beforehand so it can be factored into the session.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
This depends on your specific goals. Some patients notice benefits after a single session, particularly for relaxation, while those using it for injury recovery or chronic pain management typically benefit from a series of sessions over time, similar to other supportive therapies we offer. Your provider can help set a realistic schedule based on what you are hoping to achieve and how your body responds to the first few sessions.
Can It Replace Other Treatments?
Red light therapy is best thought of as a complement to other care rather than a replacement. For structural issues, such as spinal misalignment, hands-on chiropractic treatment remains an important part of an effective plan alongside supportive therapies like red light. Thinking of it as one tool among several, rather than a cure-all, tends to lead to more realistic expectations and better overall results.
Is Red Light Therapy Right for You?
Red light therapy tends to be a good fit for patients looking for a non-invasive way to support recovery, reduce inflammation, or simply build relaxation into their wellness routine. It may be worth considering if you are dealing with any of the following:
- Ongoing muscle soreness from training or an active lifestyle
- Chronic joint pain or stiffness
- Recovery needs following an injury or surgery
- A desire for a drug-free way to support healing alongside other treatments
- General interest in a relaxing, restorative addition to your wellness routine
- Tension or fatigue related to a physically or mentally demanding schedule
As with any new treatment, it is worth discussing your specific goals with your provider to determine how red light therapy fits into your overall care plan, and whether it should be combined with other therapies for the best results. A short conversation with your provider before your first session can also help set realistic expectations for how quickly you might notice changes.
Experience Red Light Therapy at Denver Chiropractic
Our customized red light therapy bed is designed to deliver a higher standard of care than a typical wellness studio setup, with attention to the specific wavelengths and irradiance levels that make a real difference in results. Whether you are recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply looking to add a restorative treatment to your routine, our team at our Denver clinic can help you get started.
Many patients find that red light therapy becomes a regular part of their wellness routine once they experience the combination of relaxation and physical benefit it provides. Whether you fit a session in weekly or use it more occasionally around periods of higher activity or stress, it can be a flexible addition to however you already care for your body.
Curious what red light therapy could do for you? Schedule an Appointment with our team today and experience it for yourself.