The most frustrating part of living with fibromyalgia is that the pain never seems to follow a predictable pattern. That, and the fact that most treatments come with side effects that leave you questioning whether the relief is even worth it or not.
That’s why it’s time to consider red light therapy for fibromyalgia. This non-invasive wellness modality can touch so many different aspects of managing fibromyalgia - pain, fatigue, and sleep. All without adding another medication to the mix (or any side effects, for that matter).
Learn more about the research behind red light therapy and fibromyalgia, and find out if this is right for you. If so, look no further than our red light therapy devices at Elaris!
Key Takeaways
- Red light therapy has been found to be effective, safe, and well-tolerated for fibromyalgia.1
- Published studies show it can reduce pain up to 53% with consistent treatment.3
- Effects lasted up to 6 months in one trial, but consistent usage is key.4
- Both red (630-660nm) and near-infrared (850-905nm) wavelengths are beneficial for managing fibromyalgia.
- The treatment is non-invasive with little to no side effects reported across all trials.
Overview of Fibromyalgia
This chronic condition is characterized by musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disruption, and trouble concentrating (AKA the “fibro fog”). It can impact anyone, although women are diagnosed at twice the rate of men. The condition tends to develop between ages 30 and 50.
The pain isn’t caused by visible tissue damage or inflammation that appears on standard tests. That’s part of why a lot of cases go undiagnosed (or even misdiagnosed). It’s also why fibromyalgia is so hard to treat.
We don’t know a lot about what actually causes fibromyalgia. But experts agree it has something to do with central sensitization. The nervous system ramps up pain signals. This makes normal stimuli hurt, and stuff that hurts feels even worse.
There are currently three FDA-approved medications for fibromyalgia:
- Pregabalin
- Duloxetine
- Milnacipran
They can help some patients. But the side effects have been referred to as “brutal.” Dizziness, drowsiness, weight gain, nausea, dry mouth, etc. It’s no wonder people look toward alternative therapies for managing symptoms. So, is red light therapy good for fibromyalgia?
Is Red Light Therapy Good For Fibromyalgia?
The short answer is yes - at least, there’s very strong reason to believe red light therapy and fibromyalgia have a positive correlation. The conclusion of a 2019 meta-analysis pooling 9 randomized trials was that it’s “an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for fibromyalgia,” with significant improvements in pain, fatigue, stiffness, depression, and anxiety.1
How it Works
Dr. Juanita J. Anders with the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine says, “I think of light like a drug. Pain is a huge clinical challenge, and opioid drug abuse is a serious complication. We could use light effectively to control a person's pain and decrease opioid use.”2
Red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate the skin and reach the underlying cells. This kicks the mitochondria into action and increases ATP production, which you may already know is the energy currency of your cells. More ATP means more energy available for repair, immune response, and managing inflammation.
Benefits of RLT for Fibromyalgia
There’s some really positive research on red light therapy and fibromyalgia. A recent trial found that scores in a fibromyalgia questionnaire improved by 45% after just 9 sessions, with pain specifically dropping 53% (over a three-week span).3 That questionnaire involved:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Sleep quality
- Stiffness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Overall physical function
A second trial was done a year after the first one, which found that the quality of life improvements from light therapy lasted through 6 months of follow-up. Patients were able to increase their physical activity with less fear of movement.4
Understanding Wavelengths
The evidence on red light therapy and fibromyalgia has tested wavelengths from 630nm to 905nm. There are two different “ranges” worth understanding.
- Visible red wavelengths (630-670nm) penetrate the top layers of tissue and work well on superficial tender points.
- Near-infrared wavelengths (808-905nm) go deeper into muscle and connective tissue, which is where fibromyalgia pain is most prominent.
The best results with red light therapy for fibromyalgia come from combining wavelengths in a single device, which is what you’ll get at Elaris - be it a red light therapy bag, panel, or mat. More on that in a moment.
Are There Any Side Effects?
You’re used to fibromyalgia treatments coming with a laundry list of side effects. Fortunately, that’s not the case with red light therapy. It’s generally regarded as safe. Side effects are very rare, and when they do occur, mild.
After helping transform more than 10,000 lives with our devices here at Elaris, we can honestly tell you that customers almost never reach out complaining about any sort of adverse reaction. The evidence shows side effects are essentially limited to redness and warmth on the skin - and it resolves on its own.5
How to Use Red Light Therapy For Fibromyalgia
The best part about using red light therapy for fibromyalgia is how easy it is to incorporate into your wellness regimen. It just comes down to picking the right device and starting your protocol.
Which Elaris Device is Best For Managing Fibromyalgia?
We talked about the importance of wavelengths already. But the other thing you need to think about is maximizing coverage. Fibromyalgia pain is widespread by definition, which means a device that covers large surface areas can save you from constant repositioning.
That’s why our best-seller for fibromyalgia pain is our red light therapy mat. It delivers 660nm and 850nm wavelengths across 1,290 LEDs, covering 180 x 80 cm. Your full torso, hips, and legs get treated in a single session.
You can also use a red light therapy panel if you find that your discomfort is more localized to a certain area, be it your neck, shoulders, or lower back. This product provides 100-175 mW/cm² output with a 5, 10, or 15-minute timer.
Either way, you’re getting a solution you can count on with a 60-day money-back guarantee. 91% of customers who added our mat to their ritual reported less daily discomfort!
Session Duration and Frequency
You don’t necessarily have to use your red light therapy device every day. The strongest clinical research involved 3 sessions per week for 3-4 weeks. What matters most is consistency and patience.
Start with 15-20 minute sessions 3-5 times a week. Be sure the device is within 6-12 inches of the treatment area, or lie directly on the mat to cover as much of your body as possible.
How Soon Will You Notice a Difference?
Red light therapy may be effective, but it’s not an instant fix for fibromyalgia. You may not notice an improvement in symptoms for a few weeks. Stick with it and avoid skipping sessions, or you’re prolonging your timeline.
Other Ways to Manage Fibromyalgia
We’ve found that red light therapy for fibromyalgia works best when you combine it with other approaches, starting with a physician’s guidance on medication.
Working With a Doctor to Find the Right Medication
Each of the three FDA-approved fibromyalgia medications (pregabalin, duloxetine, and milnacipran) target different pathways. The treatment that works for one person may not be right for you.
A rheumatologist or pain specialist can help you adjust your approach if you find that your current medication isn’t providing ample relief, or worse, is accompanied by side effects that interrupt your daily life.
The Importance of Movement
It’s tricky. Motion is lotion, as they say. But exercise can be painful when you have fibromyalgia. Do your best to get in low-impact workouts when you can. Walking, swimming, yoga, and tai chi have all been shown to improve pain scores, sleep quality, and mood. One study went as far as concluding that combining light therapy with exercise outperformed either intervention alone.6
Sleep and Fibromyalgia
Poor sleep can be a symptom of fibromyalgia. But it can also make the condition worse - it’s a vicious cycle. You can’t sleep because of the discomfort, so the discomfort gets amplified.
The best thing you can do for your sleep while living with fibromyalgia is to maintain a consistent bedtime. Limit screens at least an hour before bed, and have a really good wind-down routine with proper sleep hygiene (dark room, cool temperature, etc.).
Stress Management Tactics
Like sleep, stress and fibromyalgia go hand-in-hand. Cortisol fluctuations are linked to flare-ups. So, find whatever helps you stay cool, calm, and collected. That might be meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, deep breathing exercises, or setting boundaries for yourself.
None of these things replace medical treatment or red light therapy for fibromyalgia, but they all add up to help keep symptoms at bay. Get started with your red light therapy fibromyalgia protocol today!
References
- Yeh SW, Hong CH, Shih MC, Tam KW, Huang YH, Kuan YC. "Low-Level Laser Therapy for Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Pain Physician. 2019. PubMed
- Anders JJ. "USU Professor Researches Novel Pain Treatment." Uniformed Services University News. 2022. USU News
- Ribeiro NF, Leal-Junior ECP, Johnson DS, et al. "Photobiomodulation therapy combined with static magnetic field is better than placebo in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial." European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2023. PubMed
- Navarro-Ledesma S, Carroll JD, Gonzalez-Munoz A, Burton P. "Outcomes of whole-body photobiomodulation on pain, quality of life, leisure physical activity, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and self-efficacy: a prospective randomized triple-blinded clinical trial with 6 months of follow-up." Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2024. PubMed
- Swathi GA, Arun Maiya G, Shetty S, et al. "Effect of photobiomodulation on pain and quality of life in fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review." Lasers in Medical Science. 2026. PubMed
- da Silva MM, et al. "Randomized, blinded, controlled trial on effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy and exercise training in the fibromyalgia treatment." Lasers in Medical Science. 2018. PubMed