Red Light Therapy for Bursitis and Hip Pain: Does It Help?

Short answer: Red light therapy may help calm the pain and stiffness of bursitis by easing inflammation in the irritated area, and it's being studied as a gentle add-on to rest, movement, and your doctor's plan — not as a cure or a replacement for medical care.

If you've got a nagging ache in your hip, shoulder, or elbow that flares when you lie on it or climb the stairs, bursitis might be the culprit. It's a common, frustrating problem — and a lot of people want something they can do at home between doctor visits. Red light therapy is one of those options worth understanding. Here's a plain-English look at what it is, what the research actually says, and how to use it sensibly.

What is bursitis, in plain terms?

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa — a small, fluid-filled cushion that sits between bone and soft tissue to reduce friction as you move. You have them near most major joints. When a bursa gets irritated, usually from repetitive motion, pressure, or a minor injury, it swells and the area becomes tender, achy, and stiff. The hip (trochanteric bursitis), shoulder, elbow, and knee are the usual trouble spots.

Most bursitis settles down with rest, activity changes, ice, and time. Some cases need a doctor's help, especially if there's warmth, redness, fever, or fast swelling — those can signal infection and need prompt care.

Does red light therapy help bursitis?

Red light therapy may reduce bursitis-related pain and stiffness for some people, but the evidence is strongest for joint and soft-tissue pain in general rather than bursitis specifically. Red light therapy — clinicians call it photobiomodulation — uses red and near-infrared wavelengths (roughly 600–900nm) that penetrate the skin and are absorbed by your cells. The leading theory is that this light supports the mitochondria (your cells' energy factories), which may help tamp down inflammation and support tissue recovery in the treated area.

Because bursitis is fundamentally an inflammation problem, that mechanism is a reasonable fit. Reviews of low-level laser and LED light therapy for common musculoskeletal conditions have reported reductions in pain and improvements in function across a range of joint and tendon problems, which is encouraging context even where bursitis-specific trials are thin. Think of it as a supportive tool, not a switch that turns pain off.

What does the research actually say?

Here's an honest read: the science supports red and near-infrared light for musculoskeletal pain broadly, with the best-studied joints being the knee and shoulder. A well-known 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis in BMJ Open found that low-level laser therapy at appropriate doses significantly reduced pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis compared with placebo (Stausholm et al., 2019). A separate 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that low-level laser therapy is an effective option for reducing pain in adults with musculoskeletal disorders (Clijsen et al., 2017). And a broader review of light therapy for the most common musculoskeletal conditions describes anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects when the right wavelengths and doses are used (review in PMC, 2023).

What that means for you: research has explored light therapy as a helpful adjunct for inflamed, achy joints, and bursitis lives in that same neighborhood. But few trials test bursitis by name, so it's fair to have hopeful-but-realistic expectations. It may take steady, regular use over a few weeks before you notice a difference, and results vary from person to person.

How would you use red light therapy for a hip or shoulder bursa?

The practical answer: aim the light directly at the sore spot, keep sessions short and consistent, and give it a few weeks. A few pointers that make it easier to stick with:

• Match the device to the body part. A wrap-style device is the easiest way to treat a hip, knee, or shoulder because it holds the light against the area hands-free. Our Red Light Therapy Belt was designed for exactly this — it wraps around the waist, hip, knee, or shoulder and adds gentle vibration.
• Prefer to sit and relax? A panel like the FX300 Red Light Therapy Panel lets you position the light a set distance from the joint and treat a broader area, which is nice for the hip.
• On the go or spot-treating? A handheld device is easy to press right on an elbow or shoulder bursa.
• Keep sessions short and regular. Around 10–15 minutes on the area, most days of the week, is a common starting rhythm. More is not better — light therapy follows a "sweet spot" dose, so there's no reason to overdo it.
• Pair it with the basics. Rest, gentle movement, and any exercises your physical therapist gives you do the heavy lifting. Light therapy is there to support them.

Not sure which device fits your situation? Our Find My Device quiz walks you through it in a minute.

Is it safe?

For most people, red light therapy is low-risk and well tolerated — no heat burns, no downtime, no drugs. Still, a little caution goes a long way. Don't use it over a joint that's hot, red, or rapidly swelling until a clinician rules out infection, since bursitis can occasionally become infected and needs different treatment. Avoid shining light directly into your eyes, skip treating over active cancer or areas of concern without medical guidance, and check with your doctor first if you're pregnant or taking medications that increase light sensitivity. If pain is severe, came on suddenly, or isn't improving, that's a conversation for your healthcare provider.

Frequently asked questions

How long until red light therapy helps bursitis pain?

There's no guaranteed timeline. Some people notice easing within a couple of weeks of consistent daily use, while others take longer or don't respond much. Give it a fair, steady trial of three to four weeks before deciding.

Is red light therapy better than a heating pad for bursitis?

They do different jobs. A heating pad adds surface warmth that can feel soothing and loosen stiffness temporarily. Red light therapy works at the cellular level and is studied for its anti-inflammatory effects. Many people use warmth for quick comfort and light therapy for the longer game — they're not mutually exclusive.

Can I use red light therapy with anti-inflammatory medication or a cortisone shot?

Generally people use light therapy alongside standard care, but because your situation is unique, run it by the provider managing your bursitis — especially around the time of an injection.

Which is best for hip bursitis — a belt, a panel, or a handheld?

For the hip, a wrap-style belt or a panel usually works best because they cover a larger area hands-free. A handheld shines for smaller, pinpoint spots like an elbow. The Find My Device quiz can match you quickly.

Can I pay for a device with my FSA or HSA?

Often, yes — many red light therapy devices are FSA/HSA eligible, which lets you use pre-tax dollars. Here's our step-by-step guide to paying with your FSA or HSA.

Does red light therapy cure bursitis?

No. It's a wellness tool that may help with pain and stiffness as part of a broader plan. It's not a cure, and it doesn't replace rest, movement, or your doctor's advice.

The bottom line

Bursitis is stubborn, but it usually improves — and red light therapy can be a gentle, drug-free way to support your comfort while it does. Keep your expectations grounded, aim the light at the sore spot, stay consistent, and lean on the basics of rest and movement. If you're ready to try it, browse our red light therapy collection or take the Find My Device quiz to land on the right fit.

Lights on, pain off.

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Red light therapy devices are intended for general wellness and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always check with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.