Best Red Light Therapy for Migraines: What We Know So Far
Migraine is a complex neurological condition that can be debilitating, especially when attacks are frequent or severe. Many people who live with migraines are keen to explore non-invasive options that might help them feel more comfortable between attacks, support recovery or reduce triggers such as muscle tension and stress.
As a result, interest in the best red light therapy for migraines has grown. Clinical evidence specifically focused on red and near infrared light for migraine is still limited, but some users report feeling more relaxed, less tense and better able to recover when they include light therapy in their routine.
This article looks at what we currently know about red light therapy for migraines, how it might work, how to use it safely, and how Maysama devices can fit into a broader wellbeing strategy without claiming to treat or cure migraine.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy, often referred to as photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of visible red and near infrared light to influence cellular activity. These wavelengths are absorbed by mitochondrial chromophores, enhancing ATP production and modulating processes linked to inflammation, circulation and tissue repair.
When applied to the body or head, red and near infrared light can reach deeper tissues and, in some cases, brain structures. Reviews of transcranial photobiomodulation suggest that red and near infrared light can influence brain metabolism, blood flow and neuroinflammatory pathways, making it an emerging area of interest for neurological conditions in general. A detailed overview of this approach is given in a review of photobiomodulation for brain disorders.
Is Red Light Therapy Good for Migraines?
At the moment, there is no strong clinical consensus that red light therapy is a proven treatment for migraine. However, there are some early indicators that photobiomodulation might help with pain modulation and neurological comfort more broadly.
An article in Practical Pain Management looked at photobiomodulation as an alternative option in migraine care, describing it as an emerging tool within a wider pain management strategy rather than a standalone cure.
More broadly, a narrative review on photobiomodulation and pain pathways summarised how red and near infrared light can modulate pain signalling, inflammation and neural activity in a range of pain conditions. Although this was not migraine-specific, it provides a mechanistic rationale for why some individuals might notice a change in headache-related discomfort when using red light therapy.
Clinical reviews specific to migraines are still limited, and the existing data is not strong enough to say that red light therapy is definitively good for migraines. It is more accurate to say that red light therapy may support some of the underlying processes associated with pain and recovery, and that some users report subjective improvements.
How Might Red Light Therapy Help Migraine Sufferers?
Even though direct migraine evidence is sparse, there are several ways in which red and near-infrared light might offer supportive benefits.
Modulating Brain Function and Neuroinflammation
Photobiomodulation to the head, sometimes called transcranial photobiomodulation, has been explored as a tool to modulate brain function in conditions such as cognitive impairment and mood disorders.
A recent review of photobiomodulation therapy on the brain discussed how red and near infrared light can enhance mitochondrial activity, improve cerebral blood flow and trigger anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses.
These mechanisms are relevant because migraine has a strong neurological component, and neuroinflammation and altered blood flow are thought to contribute to attacks.
Supporting Pain Modulation
The same pain-focused review mentioned earlier describes how photobiomodulation can influence peripheral and central pain pathways, potentially altering how pain signals are transmitted and perceived. By supporting healthier neural signalling, it may contribute to a greater sense of comfort between migraine episodes.
Improving Circulation and Muscle Tension
Many people living with migraines experience tightness in the neck, shoulders and upper back, which may act as a trigger or aggravating factor. Red light therapy applied to these areas can support circulation and local tissue comfort, which some users report as helpful in managing part of their overall migraine picture.
Supporting Relaxation and Sleep
Stress and poor sleep are common migraine triggers. Gentle, routine use of red light therapy in the evening can become part of a calming ritual that signals the nervous system to wind down. While this is an indirect effect, better sleep and reduced stress can have a positive impact on migraine patterns for some individuals.
Light Sensitivity and Caution
Migraine is strongly associated with photophobia, or light sensitivity. The American Migraine Foundation’s overview of photophobia notes that even normal lighting can feel uncomfortable or painful during an attack.
This means that although red light therapy is generally well tolerated, it is important to be cautious:
- Avoid using bright light during the most intense phase of a migraine attack
- Start with shorter sessions and lower exposure times
- Stop using the device if light worsens headache or nausea
- Speak to a healthcare professional if you have severe or frequent migraines
For many people, the most practical use of red light therapy for migraines is in the periods between attacks, focusing on neck and shoulder tension, overall relaxation and recovery.
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Migraines
If you are exploring how to use red light therapy for migraines in a supportive way, consider the following practical guidelines.
Target Tension Areas
Position devices to cover the neck, shoulders and upper back, where muscle tightness often builds before or after migraines. These are also areas where Maysama’s body-focused devices are particularly helpful.
Short, Regular Sessions
Begin with 5 to 10 minutes per area, a few times per week, and build gradually. Consistency is more important than long, infrequent sessions.
Use It Between Attacks
Many people find it more comfortable to use red light therapy outside of acute migraine episodes, when light sensitivity is lower. Think of it as a tool for recovery and prevention of trigger build up rather than a rescue treatment.
Combine With Other Lifestyle Strategies
Red light therapy should sit alongside good sleep hygiene, hydration, trigger management and any medical treatments prescribed by a clinician.
The Best Red Light Therapy for Migraines: Supportive Device Options
Because the goal is to support comfort, relaxation and muscle relief rather than directly treat migraine, the best red light therapy for migraines will typically be a device that is easy to position on the neck, shoulders and upper back, and comfortable enough for regular use.
LED Light Therapy Silicone Belt
For those who carry stress and tension in the upper body, the LED Light Therapy Silicone Belt can be wrapped around the neck, upper back or shoulders to deliver pulsed red and near infrared wavelengths to deeper tissues. The belt is designed to support relaxation, muscle comfort and overall wellbeing, which may be helpful for people whose migraines are linked to muscular trigger zones.
Chin2Chest LED Light Therapy Device
Migraine discomfort can sometimes be associated with tension in the neck and upper chest. The Chin2Chest LED Light Therapy Device is shaped to cover the chin, neck and décolletage using clinically backed red and near infrared wavelengths and pulsed technology. Incorporating it into a daily routine may help maintain a more relaxed, comfortable neck region.
PRANA LED Light Therapy Mask
For those seeking a whole face and scalp adjacent option, the PRANA LED Light Therapy Mask provides full face coverage with pulsed red and near infrared light. It is primarily designed for skin rejuvenation, but some users may choose to use it as part of an evening relaxation ritual, provided light sensitivity is not an issue.
All Maysama LED devices are developed for skincare and wellbeing purposes and are not classified as medical devices or migraine treatments. Their use for migraines or headache comfort is at the discretion of the individual consumer.
Safety and Medical Guidance
Red light therapy is generally well tolerated, but migraine is a neurological condition that deserves individualised medical advice.
You should:
- Consult a healthcare professional if you have frequent, severe or changing migraine symptoms
- Avoid intense light exposure during acute attacks if you experience photophobia
- Discontinue use if headaches worsen with red light therapy
- Use devices only as directed and away from the direct eye area
Red light therapy should be considered a complementary tool, not a replacement for prescribed migraine therapies.
Conclusion: A Supportive Option, Not a Cure
So, does red light therapy work for migraines? At present, clinical evidence is limited and does not support red light therapy as a stand-alone migraine treatment.
However, research into photobiomodulation shows promising effects on pain pathways, inflammation and brain function, and some people report that red and near infrared light helps them feel more relaxed, less tense and better able to cope between attacks.
If you are exploring non-invasive ways to support your wellbeing, Maysama’s products can be integrated into a calming daily routine that targets neck and shoulder tension, relaxation and overall comfort. For many migraine sufferers, these indirect benefits can make a meaningful difference in how manageable life between attacks feels.
If you feel ready to experiment with red light therapy as part of your migraine support toolkit, you can explore the full range of Maysama LED devices and choose the option that best suits your lifestyle, comfort preferences and wellness goals.
