What is Red Light Therapy? 

Red Light Therapy (RLT), also called low-level light therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, delivers therapeutic wavelengths of red (600–700 nm) and near-infrared light (800–850 nm) into the skin and underlying tissues. These wavelengths activate mitochondria, increase ATP production, and stimulate healing at the cellular level—improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and accelerating tissue repair.

At Restorative Health Clinic, we offer red light therapy in Portland, OR, as a safe, evidence-supported treatment for chronic conditions, inflammation, pain, detoxification, and immune dysfunction. This non-invasive therapy uses red and near-infrared wavelengths to stimulate cellular energy, promote healing, and reduce toxic burden, making it an excellent addition to holistic care plans for Lyme disease, mold illness, autoimmunity, and more.

Health Benefits of Red Light Therapy

A Natural Therapy for Whole-Body Healing

Red light therapy is versatile, well-tolerated, and free from side effects. It provides broad therapeutic benefits that support recovery from illness and optimize wellness.

1. Reduces Inflammation

• Helps regulate inflammatory pathways linked to autoimmune disease, Lyme disease, and arthritis
• Decreases swelling and tissue irritation following injury or infection
• Accelerates post-surgical and musculoskeletal recovery

2. Supports Detoxification

• Activates the lymphatic system, enhancing clearance of toxins and waste
• Improves circulation, facilitating nutrient delivery and waste removal
• Pairs synergistically with IV detox therapies, chelation, and ionic footbaths to eliminate mold, metals, and chemical toxins

3. Fights Chronic Infections

• Stimulates immune cells and enhances antimicrobial defenses
• Supports patients with chronic Lyme disease, co-infections, Candida, or persistent viruses
• Reduces pathogen load and inflammation without pharmaceuticals

4. Enhances Cellular Detox and Repair

• Helps eliminate environmental and metabolic toxins at the cellular level
• Supports organ detox pathways including liver, kidneys, and lymph
• Reduces toxic burden that contributes to fatigue, brain fog, and immune dysregulation

5. Natural Pain Relief

• Reduces chronic and acute pain by calming inflammation and stimulating healing
• Effective for fibromyalgia, neuropathy, joint pain, migraines, and injury recovery
• Improves mobility, circulation, and quality of life—without side effects

Conditions Treated with Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy is part of our integrative treatment plans for patients struggling with:

• Chronic inflammation (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic autoimmunity)
• Detoxification needs (mold illness, heavy metal toxicity, chemical sensitivities)
• Chronic infections (Lyme disease, co-infections, viral/fungal overload)
• Pain syndromes (fibromyalgia, arthritis, headaches, neuropathy, sports injuries)
• Skin conditions (eczema, acne, psoriasis, slow wound healing)
• Post-surgical or injury recovery

How Does Red Light Therapy work

Red light therapy works by delivering specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light (600–850 nm) to targeted areas of the body. These wavelengths penetrate deep into the tissues and stimulate cytochrome c oxidase, a key enzyme within the mitochondria, which boosts the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—the energy currency of your cells.

The resulting increase in cellular energy leads to a cascade of healing effects, including:

• Enhanced tissue repair and wound healing

• Reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines to calm systemic inflammation

• Improved circulation through vasodilation and oxygen delivery

• Lymphatic activation, which supports detoxification and cellular waste removal

• Immune system regulation and improved defense against infections

These mechanisms make red light therapy an exceptional adjunct for treating chronic illnesses involving inflammation, toxicity, immune dysregulation, and energy deficits, such as Lyme disease, mold illness, and autoimmune conditions.

Red Light Therapy for Pain Management

Red light therapy is particularly effective as a natural, non-pharmaceutical option for pain management. By stimulating tissue repair and circulation, it addresses the root causes of pain rather than masking symptoms.

Common pain conditions we treat include:

• Joint and arthritis pain – reduced inflammation, improved mobility

• Fibromyalgia – decreased muscle tension and systemic pain

• Peripheral neuropathy – improved nerve function, reduced tingling and burning

• Migraines and headaches – fewer and less severe episodes

• Back, neck, and sports injuries – faster healing and pain relief