Fibromyalgia: why photobiomodulation is appealing to pain management centers

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common causes of widespread chronic pain in the general population. Behind this diagnosis lies an exhausting daily reality: muscle pain that cannot be pinpointed, fragmented sleep, symptoms that worsen at the slightest sign of stress, and a profoundly diminished quality of life. Faced with the limitations of conventional approaches, a growing number of centers specializing in pain management are incorporating photobiomodulation into their treatment offerings. Studies are accumulating, the results are encouraging, and professionals’ interest in this light-based approach shows no signs of waning.

Understanding fibromyalgia to appreciate the benefits of photobiomodulation

Fibromyalgia is not ordinary pain caused by a visible injury. It is a disorder of central sensitization: the nervous system amplifies pain signals disproportionately, as if the body had lost its ability to regulate what it feels. Those affected describe pain in the muscles, joints, and soft tissues, accompanied by severe fatigue, sleep disturbances, and sometimes anxiety.

Pain management in this context is complex. Non-invasive treatments are preferred because they address symptoms without further compromising an already stressed body. It is precisely for this reason that photobiomodulation is a valuable option: a gentle approach with no reported side effects that acts on biological processes at the cellular level to help relieve chronic pain.

How photobiomodulation affects tissues and inflammation

Photobiomodulation, or PBM, is a light therapy treatment that uses specific wavelengths in the red and near-infrared light spectra. These wavelengths are emitted by LED devices or by a low-power laser, also known as a low-level laser or LLLT. Among all the applications of photobiomodulation, the management of chronic pain and inflammation is the area that has attracted the most research.

Light does not remain on the surface of the skin. Its depth of penetration into the tissues varies depending on the wavelength used: red light acts on the superficial layers, while infrared light reaches the muscles, tendons, and deep joint structures. Once absorbed by the cells, this light energy triggers a series of measurable biological processes.

The primary mechanism involves the mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. Light activates the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, which leads to an increase in the production of ATP, the molecule that supplies energy to all cellular functions. This surplus of energy available at the cellular level produces several simultaneous effects, which are particularly relevant in the context of fibromyalgia:

• Reduction of inflammation: Photobiomodulation modulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduces cellular oxidative stress. This effect on chronic inflammation in tissues is one of the best-documented mechanisms of PBM.
• Wound healing and tissue regeneration: By activating cellular repair processes, red and infrared light promote wound healing and accelerate the regeneration of damaged muscle tissue. In fact, the use of photobiomodulation in wound healing was among the first applications to be scientifically validated.
• Improved microcirculation: The release of nitric oxide promotes vasodilation and improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues most affected by pain and inflammation.

It is this combined effect on pain, inflammation, and cellular recovery that makes photobiomodulation particularly well-suited for conditions such as fibromyalgia.

What the studies and observed results show

Research on photobiomodulation for fibromyalgia has made significant progress. “A systematic review published in April 2025 in Applied Sciences analyzed 17 studies involving 857 individuals. The results show that photobiomodulation sessions contribute to a measurable reduction in pain intensity, improved sleep, and a notable improvement in overall quality of life.

A randomized, triple-blind study published in *Pain and Therapy* evaluated the efficacy of whole-body photobiomodulation sessions in individuals with fibromyalgia. Statistically significant differences in chronic pain were observed after four weeks of treatment. These improvements persisted for two weeks after the end of the sessions, indicating a real cumulative effect on the biological processes involved in pain and inflammation.

The study by Fernandez et al. (2024) documented a significant reduction in serum inflammatory markers following regular sessions of PBM, confirming the measurable anti-inflammatory effect of photobiomodulation. A meta-analysis published in BMC Systematic Reviews, involving more than 9,000 individuals, also ranks fibromyalgia among the conditions for which the level of evidence is strongest, alongside osteoarthritis and certain cognitive impairments.

Applications of photobiomodulation: LED or low-level laser?

Among the photobiomodulation applications available in pain management centers, there are two main categories of devices, each with distinct advantages in pain management.

LED photobiomodulation uses light panels that cover large areas of the body. These devices deliver diffuse light over the entire body in a single session, which is well suited to fibromyalgia, as the pain associated with this condition is never limited to a specific area. The intensity is adjusted, the skin is exposed evenly, and the sessions are painless.

Low-level laser therapy focuses its energy on specific areas. Its penetration depth and beam precision are useful for targeting a localized pain point or treating a specific area of inflammation. These two applications of photobiomodulation are often complementary: full-body LED sessions for a systemic effect on pain and inflammation, with low-level laser therapy used as a supplement on the most sensitive areas.

The output power, the selected wavelengths, and the duration of the sessions must be tailored to each individual. The effectiveness of photobiomodulation sessions depends directly on these settings, and pain management centers that offer this treatment pay particular attention to them.

The fibromyalgia symptoms that respond best to PBM

Feedback gathered from pain management centers is consistent with the results of clinical studies. People with fibromyalgia who undergo regular photobiomodulation sessions report improvements in several areas:

• Muscle pain and chronic widespread pain: a reduction in pain intensity at tender points, along with improved exercise tolerance. Pain associated with tissue inflammation appears to respond particularly well to regular photobiomodulation treatments.
• Sleep quality: Sleep disorders are among the most debilitating symptoms of fibromyalgia. Many people report falling asleep more easily and getting more restful sleep within the first few weeks of treatment.
• Recovery after physical activity: By helping to relieve post-exercise muscle pain and accelerating the recovery of stressed tissues, photobiomodulation facilitates a gradual return to regular physical activity, which is essential for managing the chronic symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Reducing oxidative stress at the cellular level and improving tissue healing processes likely play a role in these improvements. By restoring balance to the cellular environment and curbing chronic inflammation, PBM creates conditions that are more conducive to overall well-being, session after session.

A complementary treatment as part of a comprehensive pain management approach

Photobiomodulation is not intended to replace comprehensive care. It is part of a multifaceted treatment approach, alongside adapted physical activity, psychological support, and other non-invasive methods for managing chronic pain.

What sets PBM apart is its safety profile. No significant side effects have been reported in the scientific literature for sessions conducted under proper conditions. Patients appreciate the simplicity of the treatment: lying down for a few minutes under LED panels or a low-intensity laser, with no pain and no recovery time required.

Accessibility is also improving. Compact red- and infrared-light devices allow patients to continue treatment at home between in-clinic sessions. This continuity in light exposure contributes to the consistent improvements observed in quality of life and daily pain management.

Photobiomodulation: An Approach That Is Proving Its Potential

Studies on photobiomodulation and fibromyalgia point to an encouraging finding: PBM sessions produce measurable and consistent effects on pain, inflammation, and quality of life. The variety of devices used in research—whether LED panels, infrared sources, or low-intensity lasers—also demonstrates the versatility of photobiomodulation applications and its ability to adapt to a wide range of patient profiles.

What stands out in the scientific literature is the consistency of the improvements reported across studies, covering symptoms as varied as chronic pain, sleep disorders, and muscle recovery. For individuals with fibromyalgia seeking a non-invasive complementary treatment, photobiomodulation represents a serious and well-documented option to explore with a trained professional, ensuring precise settings tailored to their pain profile.

See also:

• Photobiomodulation: Chronic Pain
• Treatment of inflammation
• Wellness and relaxation