Red & Near-Infrared Light Therapy: An OT-Friendly Guide for Parents & Caregivers

As an occupational therapist, I’m always looking for safe, practical tools that help kids participate in daily life (also, a ton of my families are looking for holistic non-invasive options for some conditions)— from dressing and schoolwork to playing and sports. You may have heard about red light (RLT) or near-infrared (NIR) therapy for skin, pain, or brain health. This post explains the basics, what science says now, and practical precautions for families.

What is it — in plain English?

Red light (RLT) and near-infrared (NIR) therapy (often called photobiomodulation or PBM) use gentle, non-heating light at specific wavelengths (usually red: ~630–700 nm; near-infrared: ~800–1,100 nm). The light is not UV — it doesn’t burn or damage DNA like sunburn — and it works by signaling cells to change how they produce energy and manage inflammation. Think of it as a cellular “pep talk” that can help tissues recover and function better. 

Why might an OT care? (How it could help kids’ and young adults’ function)

The early evidence suggests RLT/NIR may support outcomes that matter to families and OTs, including:

• Faster wound and tissue healing — may help skin and soft tissue repair after cuts, burns, or surgery. Scar healing and reconstruction both surface (RLT) and under the skin (NIR).

• Reduced pain and inflammation — helpful for sore muscles or chronic pain that interferes with sleep, school, or play. 

• Potential mood regulation benefits- while still preliminary there are some studies with RLT and seasonal depression. 

 — so it’s promising but still emerging. However, I’ve seen it work for multiple of my current patients, and clients/families have been impressed.

How does it work (short version)

One leading idea is that red/NIR light affects cellular components (like mitochondria) so cells produce energy (ATP) more efficiently and reduce oxidative stress. That cellular change can reduce inflammation and speed repair. The exact mechanisms are still being studied. 

Practical benefits families can notice

• Quicker healing of small wounds or quicker recovery after practice/competition (for older kids involved in sports). 

• Short-term reduction in muscle or joint soreness so a child tolerates therapy or school activities better. 

• Possible mood, sleep, or attention improvements — but this is experimental and should be guided by clinicians. 

As an OT, safety is always a priority. Here’s what parents should know:

• Protect the eyes. Direct exposure to bright therapeutic LEDs or lasers can hurt the eyes. Clinicians and devices typically use eye protection; do not look directly at active NIR panels or handheld devices without protection unless using RLT for eye health (follow SPECIFIC guidelines from the devices manufacturer for eyesight exposure, ALWAYS BE CAUTIOUS).

• Avoid active, untreated cancerous lesions. Because PBM can stimulate cellular activity, many clinicians avoid using it over active or suspicious malignant lesions until cleared by oncology. If your child has a current or past cancer diagnosis, discuss with their oncologist first. 

• Photosensitizing medications or conditions. Some medicines or skin conditions make people more sensitive to light. Check with the child’s physician or pharmacist before use. 

• At-home devices vary. Some home LED devices are safe and FDA-cleared for low-risk uses, but many consumer devices differ in power and instructions. Always follow manufacturer instructions and prefer devices that are clinician-recommended or FDA-cleared for your intended use. Email me! – I’m happy to share devices that have worked for me and my clients.

• Dosing matters. PBM isn’t “more is better.” Effective treatment depends on wavelength, power, distance, and time. Clinically administered doses are guided by protocols; for at-home use follow device guidance and consult a clinician when in doubt. Typical consumer session lengths reported in studies range around 10–20 minutes a few times per week, but this varies by device and goal. 

How an OT might integrate PBM into a care plan

• Use PBM as an adjunct — it can help reduce pain or speed recovery so children can engage more fully in therapy, school, or play. It’s not a standalone replacement for sensory-based interventions, motor practice, splinting, or behavior therapy. (Think: PBM helps the body be ready; OT helps the child learn the skills.) 

• Monitor outcomes (sleep, pain scale, activity tolerance) and document changes. If a child shows clear benefit (less pain, better tolerance for therapy), that’s useful clinical data.

• Work with the child’s medical team for complex conditions (neurologic, immune, oncologic) before adding PBM.

Questions to ask before trying it for your child or loved one

• Has my child’s physician/oncologist approved the use? (Especially important with cancer history or photosensitizing meds.) 

• What wavelength, energy/dose, and session schedule will be used? (Follow clinician or manufacturer protocol.) 

• How will we measure whether it’s helping? (Pain scales, sleep, participation in activities, wound appearance.)

• Who will protect the child’s eyes and supervise the treatment? 

Bottom line (OT perspective)

Red and near-infrared light therapy is a promising, generally low-risk tool that may help with healing, pain, and certain brain-related goals. For children and adutls, current studies show encouraging safety when used by trained providers, but the research is still growing. In OT practice, PBM can be a helpful adjunct to improve a client’s ability to participate in therapy and everyday routines — but only when used with appropriate precautions, correct dosing, and medical oversight. 

Quick References List

American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Red light therapy: Is it safe? Does it work?

https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/safety/red-light-therapy

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Red light therapy.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/red-light-therapy

Dompe, C., Moncrieff, L., Matys, J., Grzech-Leśniak, K., Kocherova, I., Bryja, A., … Mozdziak, P. (2020).

Photobiomodulation—Underlying mechanism and clinical applications. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(6), 1724.

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9061724

Hamblin, M. R. (2017).

Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics, 4(3), 337–361.

https://doi.org/10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337

Hamblin, M. R. (2018).

Photobiomodulation for traumatic brain injury and stroke. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 96(4), 731–743.

https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.24189

Fradkin, M., Bresler, Y., & Frenkel, M. (2021).

Transcranial photobiomodulation: Safety and efficacy in young children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Clinical Pediatrics, 60(6–7), 292–300.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0009922821992056

Salehpour, F., Mahmoudi, J., Kamari, F., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Rasta, S. H., & Hamblin, M. R. (2018).

Brain photobiomodulation therapy: A narrative review. Molecular Neurobiology, 55(8), 6601–6636.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-017-0852-4

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (n.d.).

Laser products and instruments.

https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/medical-imaging/laser-products-and-instruments

ChatGPT for gathering of research and organization of thoughts of this blog post.

Until Next Time!

Author: Holly Ross OTR/L, WSI/T, LTP, ATRIC