Red Light Therapy for Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

If you have ever felt a sharp pull on the outside or inside of your elbow every time you grip, lift, or type, you know how disruptive tendon pain can be. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are two of the most common elbow issues, and they often linger far longer than expected. It is no surprise that people are looking at red light therapy tennis elbow routines as a way to support recovery.

Red light therapy will not magically erase months of tendon overload or replace a good rehab program. It is being studied as a supportive tool that may help with pain, function, and tissue tolerance when used consistently. This article walks through what tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow really are, how red and near infrared light interact with tendon tissue, what research suggests, and how Biolight devices might fit into a practical, tendon friendly plan.

What Is Actually Going On In Tennis Elbow And Golfer’s Elbow

To know where red light therapy fits, it helps to understand what is happening in these tendons.

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow in plain language

Although the names sound sporty, these tendon issues show up in many people who never pick up a racket or club.

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis or lateral tendinopathy) affects the tendons that attach to the outer part of the elbow and help extend the wrist and fingers.
  
  

• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis or medial tendinopathy) affects tendons on the inner side of the elbow that help flex the wrist and fingers.
  
  

Both conditions typically involve:

• Pain near the bony bump on the inside or outside of the elbow
  
  

• Discomfort with gripping, lifting, pouring, or typing
  
  

• Sometimes a feeling of weakness or early fatigue in the forearm
  
  

These problems are less about a single sudden injury and more about overload and tendon adaptation gone off track.

Why tendons become stubbornly painful

In many longer lasting cases, the tendon does not show classic signs of hot, acute inflammation. Instead, it develops changes that fit better with tendinopathy, such as:

• Thickening or irregular fiber organization
  
  

• A mix of low grade inflammation and altered tendon biology
  
  

• Increased sensitivity of local nerves
  
  

This is why successful care usually centers on progressive loading exercises that retrain the tendon, rather than only rest or anti inflammatory strategies. Supportive tools like red light therapy make the most sense alongside that kind of active plan.

How Red And Near Infrared Light Interact With Elbow Tendons

Red light therapy and near infrared light, often grouped under photobiomodulation, use specific wavelengths that cells can absorb and respond to.

Cellular effects in elbow tendon tissue

Laboratory and animal studies suggest that when tendon cells are exposed to appropriate doses of red and near infrared light, they may:

• Increase mitochondrial activity, which supports energy production for repair
  
  

• Adjust inflammatory and growth related signaling molecules in a more balanced direction
  
  

• Influence collagen metabolism, which is central to tendon structure
  
  

• Modulate oxidative stress markers that relate to tissue resilience
  
  

In everyday language, light acts as a gentle signal that can help tendon cells shift into a more repair friendly mode, especially when combined with the mechanical stimulus of smart exercises.

Why near infrared wavelengths matter for the elbow

The tendons involved in tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow sit just below the skin but are surrounded by muscle and connective tissue. Near infrared light:

• Penetrates deeper than visible red light
  
  

• Reaches further into the tendon and surrounding structures
  
  

• Is often combined with red light to support both surface and slightly deeper layers
  
  

Biolight devices that include both red and near infrared wavelengths are designed with this depth in mind, so forearm tendons around the elbow can receive meaningful light exposure.

What Research Suggests For Elbow Tendinopathy And Red Light

Human research on red light therapy for tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow is still developing, but several patterns have emerged.

Pain and function during daily tasks

Clinical studies using laser or LED based photobiomodulation around the elbow have reported that red and near infrared light:

• May reduce pain scores in some people with lateral or medial elbow tendinopathy after a series of sessions
  
  

• May support improvements in grip strength and functional tests when combined with exercise programs
  
  

• Often shows better results when light is used alongside supervised rehab rather than as a stand alone treatment
  
  

Not all studies find large differences between active and sham light groups, and protocols vary widely. Overall, findings point to red light therapy as a potentially useful adjunct for elbow tendon pain, especially in the context of an active loading plan.

Recovery from exercise and flare ups

Other work on muscles and tendons suggests that red and near infrared light:

• May reduce perceived soreness after targeted exercise in some participants
  
  

• May help tissues tolerate progressive loading better over time
  
  

For tennis and golfer’s elbow, that matters because effective rehab depends on gradually challenging the tendon without constantly triggering flare ups. Light can play a supporting role in that balance.

Realistic limits

Even with encouraging data, it is important to be clear that red light therapy:

• Does not directly reverse all structural tendon changes
  
  

• Does not replace the need for tailored strengthening and load management
  
  

• Is not a guarantee of full pain relief for every person
  
  

The most realistic view is that photobiomodulation can help create a more comfortable environment for elbow tendons to adapt, rather than acting as a magic fix.

Building An Elbow Friendly Biolight Routine

If you want to use Biolight as part of your tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow plan, integration with professional guidance and rehab is key.

Step 1: Get a proper assessment

Before starting, see a healthcare professional such as:

• A physical therapist or sports chiropractor
  
  

• A primary care provider, sports physician, or orthopedist
  
  

They can help:

• Confirm whether your pain is coming from lateral or medial tendinopathy rather than another issue such as nerve compression or referred pain from the neck
  
  

• Identify movements, tools, or work positions that are overloading your elbow
  
  

• Provide a progressive loading program for your specific tendon
  
  

Once your foundation is in place, Biolight becomes one more tool supporting that plan.

Step 2: Set up Biolight sessions for the elbow and forearm

With clearance from your provider, a simple Biolight routine might look like:

• Frequency: Three to five sessions per week during more symptomatic phases.
  
  

• Duration: Around ten to fifteen minutes per session, following device guidelines.
  
  

• Position:
  
  

• Sit comfortably with your forearm supported on a pillow or armrest.
  
  

• For tennis elbow, position the panel so the outer elbow and top of the forearm are in the light field.
  
  

• For golfer’s elbow, aim the light at the inner elbow and underside of the forearm.
  
  

• On some days, rotate slightly so surrounding muscles and tissues also receive light.
  
  

Keep your hand relaxed rather than gripping strongly during sessions. The area should feel gently warm at most, not hot or irritated.

Step 3: Pair light with smart loading and everyday choices

Red light therapy makes the most difference when it supports the everyday habits that actually retrain the tendon. That usually includes:

• Progressive loading exercises, such as slow, controlled wrist extension or flexion with light weights or bands, guided by your therapist
  
  

• Gradual increases in work or sport tasks, instead of sudden jumps in volume or intensity
  
  

• Ergonomic adjustments to tools, keyboards, and mouse setups to reduce unnecessary strain
  
  

• Breaks during repetitive tasks to move, stretch, and reset posture
  
  

A simple pattern could be:

1. Perform your assigned tendon loading exercises.
   
   

2. Follow with a Biolight session aimed at the painful side of the elbow and forearm.
   
   

3. Apply any cold or compression recommended by your clinician if you have a flare.
   
   

This combination supports both the mechanical and biological sides of recovery.

Key Takeaway

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are stubborn not because tendons are fragile, but because they adapt slowly and do not respond well to quick fixes. Red light therapy tennis elbow routines are being studied as a way to support tendon cell activity, pain modulation, and tissue comfort, especially when paired with progressive loading, ergonomic changes, and professional guidance.

Biolight devices can fit naturally into this plan as a noninvasive, at home tool that helps your elbow feel more ready for the rehab work that truly changes how the tendon behaves. Used as one part of a comprehensive strategy rather than the only solution, red and near infrared light can be a steady ally in getting back to the grips and movements you care about.

FAQ

Can red light therapy cure tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow on its own?

No. Red light therapy has not been shown to cure elbow tendinopathy on its own. It may help with pain and function for some people, especially when combined with progressive loading exercises and activity changes designed by a professional. The core of recovery still comes from how you load and use the tendon over time.

How long before I might notice elbow pain changes with red light therapy?

People respond differently, but those who do notice benefits often see gradual changes over a few weeks of consistent use. Photobiomodulation works through subtle shifts in tissue and pain processing, so improvements are usually cumulative rather than dramatic overnight shifts.

Is it safe to use Biolight on my elbow if I still play sports or work with my hands?

For many people, short Biolight sessions within device guidelines are considered compatible with continued activity, as long as you are following a sensible rehab and load management plan. If you have significant pain, recent injury, or other medical conditions, talk with your healthcare provider or therapist before starting red light therapy so they can tailor recommendations to your situation.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, exercise, or red light therapy routine, especially if your symptoms are severe, long lasting, or interfering with work and daily activities.