Red Light Therapy for Back Pain: How It Works

I know I’m not the only one with a sore back.
On any given day, about 65 million Americans experience some form of back pain, according to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University. Mine comes from spondylolisthesis, a spinal fusion, arthritis, and stenosis. Does red light therapy work for back pain?
It does for me. I use red light therapy wraps and handhelds to relieve my pain. These device shapes lend themselves to being the best red light therapy for back pain.
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Does Red Light Therapy Work for Back Pain?
When you understand how red light therapy works on a cellular level, you can see how it can help with back pain. Red light therapy relieves inflammation and pain signals.

Red light therapy uses low-energy delivery of visible and infrared light to promote healing. It is non-invasive, drug-free, and available for at-home use without a prescription.

The cells absorb certain wavelengths of light. When they do, several healthy processes start, creating the following effects, all of which help ease back pain:
- increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to carry energy to cellular processes
- increased blood flow to help tissues heal
- reduced chronic inflammation that has become pathological
- reduced pain sensation, it stops the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain
Red light therapy is appropriate for musculoskeletal and soft tissue injuries such as:
- Overuse, poor posture, lifting heavy objects, and sudden twisting movements can cause ligament strains.
- A spinal disc is herniated when the soft center protrudes through a tear in the outer layer. The “gel” puts pressure on nearby nerves.
- A narrowing of the spinal canal puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves in the spinal stenosis, which causes pain, numbness, and weakness.
- Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the back. I wrote a comprehensive guide to using red light therapy for knee osteoarthritis.
- Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of compression fractures in the spine.
- Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that can cause back pain.
- Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that can cause widespread muscle pain and fatigue, including in the back.
How It Works on a Cellular Level
Red light therapy blocks the COX-2 enzyme. This is precisely how Ibuprofen works, but red light therapy doesn’t cause stomach bleeding. Blocking the enzyme alters and reduces your perception of pain.

Red light therapy triggers more collagen and elastin production, adding structure and stretch back into the back’s soft tissues. The therapy also increases blood flow and ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the body’s biological batteries). The increased blood flow and ATP production provide oxygen, nutrition, and energy for the tissues to heal. To learn more about how red light therapy can help with chronic pain.
How to Use Red Light Therapy Belts for Back Pain
Some red and infrared light therapy devices are more suitable for back pain. The best device is a belt (pad or wrap) made of soft, flexible material. Belts have a wide area of lights and press the lights directly onto the skin. This is important for maximum absorption. The skin contact allows the light to penetrate the skin rather than reflect off it.
Because they are pliable, belts fit around arms and legs, unlike handhelds and panels. A typical wrap fits on part of the back, while larger wraps can cover the whole back at once. Belts have adjustable closures, usually using Velcro to secure the wrap.

The belt’s LED lights are usually arranged in a grid pattern. The wrap may contain hundreds of LEDs depending on the size and model.
Some wraps hold their shape, allowing you to contour them to arms and legs. The DNA Vibe Jazz Band Live and the CelLED iLED contour to arms and legs. Belts without contour scaffolding will unroll to a flat position when you let go. The Nushape Therapy Wrap, the Mito Red Light Therapy Belt, and the NovaaLab Light Pad are more supple and rely on Velcro closures to hold them in place. Whether you get a contoured or “flat” wrap, wear it flat on your back.
Final Thoughts
A red light therapy belt can relieve inflammation and soften pain signals if your back is sore. The therapy works by donating energy to the mitochondria, which output more ATP from the body’s biological batteries. It also sends messages to stop the perception of pain signals.
References
- Georgetown University Center for Health Policy
- Avci P, Gupta A, Sadasivam M, et al. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013 Mar;32(1):41-52. (link)
- Leal Junior EC, Lopes-Martins RA, Dalan F, et al. Effect of 830 nm low-level laser therapy in exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue in humans. Lasers Med Sci. 2009 Jul;24(4):425-431. (link)
References
https://elevatepmr.com/procedures/photobiomodulation/
https://seniorsbluebook.com/articles/patients-are-using-red-light-therapy-for-back-pain
https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/11/8/1169/1855331?login=false
https://www.northeastspineandsports.com/blog/what-are-the-treatments-for-spinal-stenosis/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27207675/