Waking up with stiff joints and struggling to perform daily chores are common experiences for patients with sore joints. From simply getting out of bed to climbing stairs or standing in a kitchen to prepare a meal, joint inflammation can lead to chronic pain, reduced movement, and stiffness. Many people dismiss these symptoms as simple joint pain; however, a common cause behind them could be bursitis (swelling of the cushioning sac in a joint).
With more people seeking natural alternatives for pain management, red light therapy (RLT) has emerged among the modalities that can provide support with joint comfort and recovery. But can it actually help with treating bursitis? Let’s break down the facts.
Why Bursitis Pain Can Be Hard to Manage at Home
Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning between bones and tendons or muscles around joints. It alleviates friction and facilitates joint movement.
Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes irritated or inflamed. Causes include repetitive movement, prolonged pressure, injury, poor posture, and age-related bone degeneration. [1]
Common areas where bursitis occurs include the shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, and heels. Rotator cuff pathology often overlaps with shoulder bursitis, and recent studies suggest photobiomodulation combined with exercise may support pain relief and functional recovery in these conditions. [2]
Symptoms often include:
- Aching pain around a joint
- Tenderness when touched
- Swelling
- Warmth in the affected area
- Reduced range of motion
Bursitis can be an exhausting condition to handle at home because so many daily activities keep irritating the inflamed tissue. Although resting can help, being inactive for a long time can lead to stiff and weak muscles. OTC pain relievers may also help temporarily, but they won't fix the underlying tissue inflammation.
This is why many seek out complementary therapies to use alongside regular treatments.
How Red Light Therapy May Support Sore Joint Comfort
Red light therapy involves exposure to low-wavelength red and near-infrared (NIR) light, which penetrates the skin and influences cells in deeper layers of tissue.
Studies show these wavelengths can aid in cellular energy production, increase circulation, and tissue healing — all of which may help restore comfort to sore joints.
Here are some of the potential benefits of red light therapy: [3]
Supporting Healthy Circulation
Enhanced circulation may aid in delivering oxygen and nutrients to healing tissues nearby.
Encouraging Cellular Recovery
Studies suggest that photobiomodulation may aid in the key cellular repair processes necessary for optimal function of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues surrounding joints.
Promoting Temporary Pain Relief
Clinical investigations suggest that red and near-infrared light may alleviate pain related to select musculoskeletal disorders, such as joint pain and soft tissue inflammation.
Supporting Reduced Stiffness
After prolonged use, users often report improved flexibility and less stiffness in the knees impacted by chronic soreness.
Red light therapy is not a cure for bursitis; however, it can be incorporated into a broader joint-care plan that includes rest and stretching along with other recommendations from your health professional.
Where to Place Light Around Common Bursitis Areas
When aiming to use red light therapy for joint pain, it is important to position the RLT device accurately. Instead of directing light onto one specific spot, also direct the light over the area around the painful joint and adjacent tissues.
When it comes to your shoulder, a multi-angle approach could target the moving tissues. Do not apply pressure on painful areas during the treatment, and always adhere to the manufacturer's guidance in terms of treatment distance & duration.
| Bursitis Area | Where To Apply The Red Light |
| Shoulder | Front, side, and upper shoulder |
| Hip | Outer hip, sides, upper thigh area, along with the hip joint |
| Elbow | Behind the elbow and surrounding soft tissues |
| Knee | Above the kneecap, inner knee, and outer knee areas |
| Heel | Back of the heel and the area directly below your tendon. |
When Heat, Pressure, or Overuse Can Make Symptoms Worse
The issue with bursitis is that some activities may accidentally exacerbate the irritation.
Excessive Pressure
Symptoms may worsen by leaning on elbows, kneeling for an extended time, and sleeping directly on an affected hip.
Repetitive Motion
Repetitive activities that involve lifting, reaching, throwing, or bending may irritate the bursa.
Ignoring Early Symptoms
Ignoring the disease by relying regularly on OTC painkillers can intensify inflammation. Intervention at an early stage of a disease lowers the risk of chronic sore joints.
Improper Use of Heat
Although heat can be beneficial for certain types of muscle stiffness, using excessive heat can increase swelling in the presence of inflammation during an active flare-up.
In many situations, health care providers recommend cold therapy as long as the inflammation remains acute and switch to other supportive therapies when symptoms are resolved.
Traditional heating pads use high surface heat, while red light therapy uses light energy. The majority of users simply feel mild warmth during treatment.
However, a joint that shows progressive swelling, redness, or pain should be medically evaluated.
What Results Should You Realistically Expect
The most common mistake of red light therapy is expecting immediate results after one session. Like exercise or physical therapy, it is often more effective after long-term use.
After only a few treatments, some people notice reduced soreness, increased comfort with movement, less morning stiffness, and improved tolerance to normal activities.
However, some people may have to use it every day for weeks before significant results happen. Results may vary based on the severity of the symptoms, general health, activity level, and consistency in using the therapy.
Red light therapy is not a substitute for medical care for serious or ongoing signs and symptoms.
Get evaluated by a professional if you experience: significant swelling, fever, sudden severe pain, joint instability, and signs of infection.
Use Red Light Therapy for Bursitis as Part of a Safer Joint Care Strategy
Bursitis can hinder work, exercise, sleep, and daily comfort. There is no one-size-fits-all fix, while red light therapy provides a non-invasive working option that supports joint health and temporary pain relief. [4]
To get the most out of red light therapy, use it with smart joint-care practices like:
- Following medical advice
- Avoiding repetitive strain
- Maintaining good posture
- Gentle stretching and mobility exercises
- Appropriate rest and recovery
- Weight management when applicable
Final Thoughts on Red Light Therapy
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in red light therapy as a natural, drug-free option for joint health support. Even though research is ongoing, early evidence supports that RLT might aid in circulation, recovery of cells from injury, and temporary relief from conditions such as bursitis.
Red light therapy for joints, combined with good self-care and professional support, can help you find a balanced approach to managing painful symptoms. While not a cure, it may help to mitigate gradually discomfort and movement restrictions associated with chronic joint pain when used regularly.
References
[1] Aaron DL, Patel A, Kayiaros S, Calfee R. Four common types of bursitis: diagnosis and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011;19(6):359-367. doi:10.5435/00124635-201106000-00006
[2] Maiya GA, Harihar A, Joseph GM, et al. Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation and Exercise-Based Rehabilitation on Pain and Functional Recovery in Patients With Rotator Cuff Pathology. Wound Repair Regen. 2025;33(3):e70043. doi:10.1111/wrr.70043
[3] Cleveland Clinic. "Red Light Therapy: Benefits, Side Effects & Uses." Cleveland Clinic, 1 Dec. 2021.
[4] Kholvadia, A et al. "Exploring the efficacy of low-level laser therapy and exercise for knee osteoarthritis." South African journal of sports medicine vol. 31,1 v31i1a6058. 1 Jan. 2019, doi:10.17159/2078-516X/2019/v31i1a6058
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