Red Light Therapy for Arthritis: Can It Help Joint Pain and Stiffness?
Living with arthritis can make everyday movements uncomfortable. From stiff knees in the morning to aching hands after a long day, joint pain can affect more than just your mobility.
But could red light therapy offer another way to manage these symptoms?
Research into photobiomodulation, the science behind red light therapy, suggests it could play a useful role in supporting joint comfort and function.
A 2024 systematic review of 10 clinical trials involving 542 participants found that photobiomodulation may reduce pain at rest in people with knee osteoarthritis.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to interact with cells beneath the skin.
This process, known as photobiomodulation, can influence cellular signalling, energy metabolism and processes involved in inflammation.
Unlike UV tanning, red light therapy does not rely on ultraviolet radiation.
Can Red Light Therapy Help Arthritis?
Studies investigating photobiomodulation for arthritis have reported some encouraging findings, particularly for people with knee osteoarthritis.
Research suggests that appropriately delivered light therapy may help:
Reduce joint pain — potentially making everyday movement more comfortable.
Improve physical function — supporting activities such as walking and climbing stairs.
Influence inflammation — through biological processes associated with inflammatory signalling.
The strength of these effects varies between studies, and treatment settings matter. Red light therapy is best considered a complementary approach alongside established arthritis care.
What About Joint Stiffness?
Stiffness is one of the most frustrating aspects of arthritis, particularly after sitting for long periods or first thing in the morning.
By potentially helping with pain and physical function, red light therapy may make movement feel more manageable for some people.
It's not a treatment that rebuilds damaged cartilage or reverses arthritis, but it may offer
additional symptom support.
Experience Glo Restore at The Glo Hub
At The Glo Hub in Cellarhead, Staffordshire, we offer red and near-infrared light treatments using our professional Dermalux Tri-Wave MD system.
Our Glo Restore treatments are non-invasive and designed to fit into your wider wellness routine.
Individual results vary depending on the condition, treatment approach and personal circumstances.
Curious whether red light therapy could be suitable for you?
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