Photobiomodulation (PBM): professional healthcare innovation or self-treatment?
An introduction to red light therapy for medical professionals and other interested persons
Is photobiomodulation (PBM) a professional healthcare innovation or self-treatment?
Red light therapy has become increasingly visible in recent years. Social media is full of positive reports and advertisements for all kinds of red-light devices. But what exactly is this technology, what does it do in the body, and does it actually have medical value? These are the questions at the heart of the paper I wrote.
Background
While looking for relief from my health problems, I came across red light therapy in 2025, which is usually referred to in research as “photobiomodulation” (PBM). This is a therapy that uses red and near-infrared light to influence biological processes in the body.
I found it a fascinating technology and was amazed to read about its many potential applications and the wide availability of devices for consumers. It is claimed to have positive effects on, for example, wound healing, osteoarthritis, depression, and the symptoms of MS, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.
Because I do not simply believe everything I read and did not want to waste money, I began looking into how it works and what the scientific research says. Given my nursing background, I am accustomed to looking critically at health claims, and that critical perspective helped me distinguish fact from fiction.
Research
It turned out that a great deal of research has already been conducted (>7,000 studies), and that biological effects have been demonstrated, meaning that PBM cannot simply be dismissed as an alternative therapy. Clinical effects have also been demonstrated for a number of conditions, although there is often still considerable uncertainty about its actual value as a treatment method, because large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking.
De kloof tussen leek en professional
Tijdens een consult met een neuroloog vroeg ik of hij bekend was met PBM, omdat ik wilde onderzoeken of het bij mijn aandoening zou kunnen helpen. Helaas had hij er geen kennis van. Hierdoor ervoer ik een grote kloof tussen de kennis die ik als leek had van deze behandelmethode en de professionele zorg.
Independend information
The neurologist was interested, however, and we agreed that I would send him some information. Because I could not find a good, independent resource covering the fundamentals, and because more healthcare professionals in my circle were interested, I decided to write a clear and accessible piece covering, among other things, the basic principles, potential applications, and the current state of the research.
Before I knew it, the piece had evolved into a paper, which has since been included in Heiskanen’s international photobiomodulation research database.
Discussion
The paper is not intended merely to provide information; it is also intended to stimulate discussion: Is it desirable for consumers to treat their own conditions with PBM, or is it time for PBM to be given a place within mainstream medical care?
Read paper:
Summary
Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a form of therapy in which red and near-infrared light is used to influence biological processes in the body. Although a great deal of research has already been done on it, its application in regular healthcare is still very limited.
Meanwhile, more and more devices are becoming available on the consumer market for home use. As a result, consumers now have access to a treatment method that is often still unfamiliar to physicians and that physicians cannot simply apply. This raises questions about the role of practitioners, possible risks, and ethical issues.
The aim of this paper is to introduce physicians to PBM and to examine whether PBM should be seen as a professional healthcare innovation or as a form of self-treatment. To this end, attention is paid to, among other things, the technique, its possible applications, side effects, contraindications, and research.
PBM influences cellular processes, including mitochondrial energy production. There are indications of clinical effects for various conditions, but the quality and quantity of evidence differ greatly per application. Despite the large body of research (more than 7000 studies), the large-scale studies and standardized protocols needed for application in medical practice are still lacking.
Given the many positive studies, PBM deserves serious scientific attention. For PBM to be applied in medical practice, there is a particular need for coordinated research by specialty and condition, with agreed research methods and standardized reporting of treatment parameters. In addition, research is needed to determine whether safety guidelines or usage restrictions are necessary.
At the same time, self-application is expected to increase further, making it desirable for medical practitioners to have basic knowledge of the treatment method, as well as its possible applications and limitations within their field.
In addition, independent certification of equipment is needed, for both medical and consumer products.