Red light therapy: what to expect from a 20-minute session

Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy, uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light applied to the skin to support the body’s own repair processes. A session at Active Performance Clinic takes about 20 minutes, is painless and non-invasive, and involves nothing more than resting comfortably while the light is positioned over the area being treated. It can be added to a massage or treatment session for $30, or booked on its own for $60.

What red light therapy is

Red light therapy delivers light in the red and near-infrared range at a low intensity that does not heat or damage tissue. The working theory is that cells absorb this light and respond by producing energy more efficiently, which may help reduce inflammation, support tissue repair and ease pain. It has been studied for a wide range of uses, and while some findings are encouraging, the evidence is still emerging and results vary between people and conditions.

At our clinic we use red light therapy primarily for:

• Pain relief, particularly for chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and persistent back pain, where it may help reduce inflammation and support the body’s natural pain-relieving processes.
• Muscle recovery, where athletes and active people use it to ease post-exercise soreness and support the repair of worked muscle tissue.
• Wound and injury healing, by encouraging blood flow to the area and supporting tissue regeneration.
• Skin health, as the light is thought to stimulate collagen and may improve skin tone, scarring and acne.

What a 20-minute session is like

There is very little to prepare. You will be asked to uncover the area being treated, so comfortable, easy-to-adjust clothing helps. Your therapist positions you comfortably, sets the light at the right distance from the skin and starts a timer. If the light will be near your face, your therapist will explain how to protect your eyes.

The next 20 minutes are yours. Most people feel a mild, pleasant warmth and nothing more; there is no stinging or discomfort. When the timer finishes, you simply get dressed and carry on with your day. There is no downtime and side effects are minimal.

If red light therapy is added to a massage, dry needling or cupping session, your therapist will sequence it where it makes most sense for you, often at the start to warm and prepare tissue, or at the end to calm an area that has had deep work.

Who it may suit

Red light therapy is gentle, which makes it an option for a wide range of people, including those who prefer to avoid needles or who find deep tissue work uncomfortable in a flared-up area. People who often ask about it include:

• Office workers in the Sydney CBD with persistent neck, shoulder or lower back aches from long hours at a desk.
• Runners, gym-goers and weekend athletes looking to recover faster between sessions.
• People managing longer-term joint or muscle pain who want a non-drug option to sit alongside their other care.
• Anyone recovering from a soft tissue injury who wants to support healing in the early stages.

It is not a replacement for assessment or hands-on treatment; it works well as one part of a plan. If you are pregnant, take medication that increases sensitivity to light, have a history of skin cancer in the treatment area or have any condition you are unsure about, please check with your GP first and let us know before your session.

Add-on versus stand-alone pricing

You can access red light therapy in two ways, with prices current as of October 2024:

• As an add-on. A 20-minute red light therapy add-on to any massage or treatment session is $30. It layers neatly onto the assessment and hands-on work you are already receiving.
• As a stand-alone session. A 20-minute red light therapy session on its own is $60. This suits people who are between treatment blocks, want a quick recovery session around training, or want to try it first.

Existing clients who want to make red light therapy a regular part of their recovery can ask in clinic about our Performance Recovery Package, which bundles three standard follow-up sessions with red light therapy at a saving.

How often should I have it?

Red light therapy is generally thought to work cumulatively, so a short series of sessions spaced over a few weeks tends to be recommended rather than a single visit. How many you need depends on what you are treating and how your body responds. Your therapist will suggest a frequency as part of your plan of care and adjust it based on how you are tracking.

When to book

If you would like to try red light therapy or add it to your next massage, we are a five-minute walk from Town Hall Station and open Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm, with Saturday appointments available on request. Book online through Cliniko at /booking, read more about red light therapy as part of AP Therapy, or see how we approach back pain, one of the conditions people most often ask us about.