Red Light Therapy and Infrared Therapy for Lyme Disease

Introduction
People living with Lyme disease often explore complementary wellness approaches alongside conventional medical care to help manage ongoing symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, muscle discomfort, and reduced quality of life. Among the therapies gaining attention are red light therapy and infrared therapy. Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not exactly the same.

Understanding the difference between red light therapy and infrared therapy is important because each uses different wavelengths of light, penetrates the body differently, and has been studied for different health applications. While researchers continue investigating whether light-based therapies may support tissue health, reduce inflammation, or assist recovery, there is currently no high-quality clinical evidence showing that either therapy treats or cures Lyme disease.

In this article, Holistic Therapy Tribe explores how red light therapy differs from infrared therapy, reviews current research, discusses potential benefits and limitations, and explains why these therapies should be viewed as complementary wellness approaches rather than replacements for medical treatment.

Understanding Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused primarily by Borrelia burgdorferi in the United States. Infection usually occurs after the bite of an infected tick.

Common Lyme disease symptoms may include:

Erythema migrans (bull's-eye rash)
Fatigue
Fever
Chills
Headache
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Neck stiffness
Neurological symptoms in some individuals
When diagnosed early, Lyme disease is generally treated with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional. Some individuals, however, continue to experience lingering symptoms after treatment, prompting ongoing research into supportive therapies that may help improve overall well-being.

What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy (LLLT), uses visible red wavelengths of light, typically ranging from 620 to 700 nanometers (nm).

Rather than generating heat, red light delivers low-intensity light energy that is absorbed by cells. Scientists believe this light may influence cellular processes, particularly within structures called mitochondria, which are responsible for producing cellular energy.

Researchers have studied red light therapy for conditions involving:

Muscle recovery
Joint discomfort
Soft tissue healing
Skin health
Wound healing
Inflammation management
Although these findings are promising in certain medical fields, research specifically involving Lyme disease remains limited.

What Is Infrared Therapy?
Infrared therapy uses wavelengths that are longer than visible red light. Infrared light is invisible to the human eye and is generally divided into three categories:

Near-Infrared (NIR)
Near-infrared light typically ranges from 700–1400 nm and penetrates deeper into tissues than visible red light.

Many modern photobiomodulation devices combine red and near-infrared wavelengths because they target different tissue depths.

Mid-Infrared
Mid-infrared wavelengths are less commonly used in wellness devices and are more often associated with industrial or specialized medical applications.

Far-Infrared (FIR)
Far-infrared therapy is commonly associated with infrared saunas and heating devices.

Unlike red light therapy, far-infrared primarily works by producing gentle heat that warms body tissues. Researchers continue investigating whether this warming effect may temporarily improve circulation, promote relaxation, and reduce muscle stiffness in some individuals.

Red Light Therapy vs Infrared Therapy: What Is the Main Difference?
Although both therapies use light energy, they differ in several important ways.

Feature
Red Light Therapy
Infrared Therapy
Light Type
Visible red light
Invisible infrared light
Typical Wavelength
620–700 nm
700 nm to over 1 mm
Heat Produced
Minimal
Often produces warmth, especially far-infrared
Tissue Penetration
Superficial to moderate
Moderate to deeper tissues depending on wavelength
Common Uses
Skin health, wound healing, muscle recovery
Muscle relaxation, circulation support, heat therapy
The most important distinction is that red light therapy primarily delivers light without significant heat, while many forms of infrared therapy involve deeper tissue warming.

How Might These Therapies Affect Lyme Disease Symptoms?
Researchers are not studying these therapies as treatments for Borrelia burgdorferi itself. Instead, interest focuses on whether they may support certain symptoms that some people experience during recovery or while managing persistent health challenges.

Potential areas being investigated include:

Supporting Healthy Cellular Function
Photobiomodulation research suggests that red and near-infrared light may influence mitochondrial activity, which could support normal cellular energy production.

Because fatigue is commonly reported by individuals with Lyme disease, researchers continue exploring whether improved cellular function could have supportive benefits. However, evidence specific to Lyme disease remains limited.

 Temporary Relief of Muscle and Joint Discomfort
Some studies involving musculoskeletal conditions suggest that light-based therapies may help temporarily reduce discomfort and stiffness.

Since joint pain and muscle aches are common Lyme disease symptoms, researchers are interested in whether similar mechanisms could be helpful. Current evidence remains indirect and should not be interpreted as proof of effectiveness for Lyme disease.

Modulating Inflammation
Inflammation plays a role in many health conditions, including responses to infection and tissue injury.

Laboratory and clinical studies in other medical fields suggest that photobiomodulation may influence inflammatory pathways. Whether these findings translate to people with Lyme disease requires additional research.

What Does Current Research Say?
Current scientific literature does not demonstrate that red light therapy or infrared therapy eliminates Borrelia burgdorferi or cures Lyme disease.

Most available research focuses on:

Pain management
Tissue healing
Sports medicine
Neurological rehabilitation
Wound healing
Inflammatory conditions