Red Light Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis: A Non-Invasive Way to Manage Heel Pain

Red light therapy — also known as photobiomodulation — has emerged as a promising, non-invasive option for plantar fasciitis by helping to reduce heel pain, calm chronic inflammation, and improve function in both acute and long-term cases. Clinical research suggests that red and near-infrared light may stimulate tissue repair and circulation in the plantar fascia.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by tiny tears or inflammation in the thick connective tissue that supports your foot’s arch. It’s a common overuse injury, especially in runners, people who spend long hours on their feet, or those with tight calf muscles or unsupportive footwear. Symptoms often worsen after rest and can become chronic without proper care. While stretching, rest, and orthotics remain foundational treatments, red light therapy offers added support by working below the surface to target pain and stiffness at the cellular level. 

Clinical studies suggest it may be a helpful addition to conventional care:

• A 2019 meta-analysis of six randomized control trials found that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) significantly reduced heel pain, with effects lasting up to 3 months after treatment. 

• A prospective study of patients with chronic plantar fasciitis showed lasting pain and function improvements for up to 12 months following just six sessions of LLLT. 

• In a 2018 randomized trial, patients who combined LLLT with exercise and orthotics had better pain relief and function than those using standard care alone. 

• A double-blind, placebo-controlled study using 635 nm laser therapy found significantly greater pain reduction in the treatment group, even among patients with long-term symptoms.

At NovaaLab, we engineer red light therapy devices — like our Novaa Light Boot and Cold Laser Therapy Device — that deliver research-backed wavelengths (630–660 nm red + 800–850 nm near-infrared or 650 nm red + 808 nm near-infrared laser) directly to the bottom of your foot. The result is clinic-level support from the comfort of home.

Treating Plantar Fasciitis Naturally with Red Light Therapy

Plantar fasciitis often stems from chronic strain and microtears in the plantar fascia (the thick band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes). This leads to inflammation, stiffness, and sharp heel pain, especially after periods of rest. Red light therapy offers a non-invasive way to support recovery by working beneath the surface to calm inflammation, energize cellular repair, and restore tissue health.

Reduces Heel Pain — Even in Chronic Cases

Across multiple studies, red light therapy consistently helped reduce plantar fasciitis pain, particularly in people with long-standing symptoms. 

A 2015 placebo-controlled trial using 635 nm laser therapy found significantly greater pain relief in the treatment group compared to placebo — even among patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Another prospective study showed pain scores dropped from severe to minimal levels at the 12-month mark after just six LLLT sessions.

Calms Inflammation in Damaged Tissue

Plantar fasciitis is driven by inflammation in the plantar fascia, especially around the heel. 

A 2019 meta-analysis confirmed that low-level laser therapy significantly reduced heel pain across six randomized controlled trials. This result is likely tied to its ability to reduce inflammatory markers and promote tissue repair.

Stimulates Collagen Production and Tissue Repair

Red light therapy doesn’t just reduce pain — it also helps address the root of plantar fasciitis by stimulating collagen production and encouraging tissue repair. Collagen is essential for rebuilding and strengthening the plantar fascia, especially in chronic cases where degeneration is present. 

The same placebo-controlled study using 635 nm laser therapy showed significantly greater pain reduction and functional improvement in treated patients, pointing to structural recovery at the tissue level. This makes red light therapy a promising non-invasive option for promoting long-term foot health.

Promotes Long-Term Function and Mobility

Red light therapy may do more than just reduce symptoms — it can help restore foot function and serve as a powerful complement to physical therapy or rehab exercises. 

In a 2018 randomized controlled trial, patients who combined LLLT with standard care (stretching and orthotics) experienced greater long-term gains in mobility and lower levels of pain during activity than those using standard care alone.

Together, these benefits highlight why red light therapy is gaining traction as a supportive treatment for plantar fasciitis. When used consistently and alongside other proven strategies like stretching and proper footwear, it may help you recover faster, move easier, and stay pain-free longer.

Chronic, Activity-Related, or Morning-Only: Red Light Therapy May Help

Plantar fasciitis develops when the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot (the plantar fascia) becomes irritated or damaged. This strain is often caused by overuse, improper footwear, or tight calf muscles — and can range from temporary soreness to chronic, persistent pain.

Some people experience sharp heel pain only in the morning or after long periods of standing, while others struggle with ongoing inflammation and limited mobility. Regardless of severity, red light therapy may help reduce symptoms by calming inflammation, improving blood flow, and supporting tissue repair in the plantar fascia. 

By addressing both pain and the cellular drivers of tissue breakdown, red light therapy offers a non-invasive option to support healing and help prevent flare-ups — especially when paired with stretching, supportive footwear, and other conservative treatments.

How to Use Red Light Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

Red light therapy can be a powerful tool for easing plantar fasciitis pain — but using it correctly is key to getting results. Below, we answer common questions to help you apply treatment effectively and safely at home.

What specific wavelengths work best for plantar fasciitis?

Choose a device that uses both red (630–660 nm) and near-infrared (800–850 nm) wavelengths of light. Red light targets surface-level inflammation, while near-infrared light penetrates deeper to reach the plantar fascia, heel, and surrounding tissue. For an even more targeted approach, our Cold Laser Therapy Device combines 650 nm and 808 nm laser beams to deliver medical-grade irradiance deeper into soft tissue — ideal for chronic or stubborn heel pain.

Where should I position the device on my foot?

Place the device directly over the bottom of the heel and arch — the most common site of plantar fasciitis pain. You can also target the Achilles tendon and calf area, which often contribute to strain on the fascia. For hands-free, full-coverage treatment, the Novaa Light Boot makes it easy to reach the entire affected area in one session, while the Cold Laser Therapy Device offers precision for isolated hotspots of pain or inflammation.

How far should the device be from my skin?

Follow your device’s guidelines. Most LED and laser devices work best when held 1 to 6 inches from the skin. Some at-home tools — like the Novaa Light Boot and Cold Laser Therapy Device — are designed for safe, close-range use or direct contact, maximizing therapeutic energy without sacrificing comfort.

How long should each red light therapy session last?

Treat the affected area for 10 to 30 minutes per session, depending on your device’s power output. Always start with shorter sessions and gradually increase if well-tolerated.

How often should I use red light therapy for plantar fasciitis?

Aim for at least 3 to 5 sessions per week, especially during the first 4 to 6 weeks. For chronic cases, longer term use may offer continued relief and help prevent flare-ups. As plantar fasciitis is often a recurring issue, ongoing maintenance sessions may be beneficial.

Is it safe to use red light therapy at home?

Red light therapy is generally safe, non-invasive, and free from systemic side effects when used as directed. Avoid using it on open wounds, infections, or areas with known sensitivity to light. If your pain worsens or doesn’t improve, consult your healthcare provider.

When Will You Start Feeling Relief From Plantar Fasciitis?

While everyone’s healing timeline is different, many people with plantar fasciitis report early improvements in heel pain and foot comfort within the first 2 to 4 weeks of consistent red light therapy. This initial relief often comes from reduced inflammation in the plantar fascia and surrounding soft tissues.

More substantial improvements — such as better foot function, easier walking, and fewer flare-ups after long periods of standing — typically occur between 6 to 12 weeks. This aligns with clinical studies showing significant pain reduction and functional gains in patients using red light therapy regularly, especially when paired with stretching or orthotics.

Your results may depend on a few key factors:

• Severity of the condition: Chronic cases or those with long-term tissue damage may require longer treatment timelines.

• Consistency of use: Using red light therapy 3 to 5 times per week produces better outcomes than sporadic sessions.

• Treatment coverage: Targeting not just the heel, but also the arch and surrounding fascia, may improve overall results.

• Complementary care: Combining light therapy with gentle stretching exercises, supportive footwear, or physical therapy can accelerate progress.

Plantar fasciitis often becomes chronic when healing stalls. Red light therapy works cumulatively — helping you restore circulation, calm inflammation, and support collagen production for long-term relief.

Red Light Therapy Works Best When Paired with Movement and Muscle Support

Most people find lasting relief through a combination of tools — from orthotics and stretches to massage and mobility work. Red light therapy fits seamlessly into that routine, helping to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and support the tissue repair needed to get back on your feet.

Here’s how it works alongside other proven treatments:

• Stretching and mobility work: Red light therapy can make tight calf muscles and fascia more flexible, helping you get better results from daily stretches.

• Orthotics or supportive footwear: While inserts reduce strain, red light therapy addresses the inflammation and tissue damage contributing to the pain.

• Physical therapy: Light therapy may enhance progress by calming irritation and making it easier to complete strengthening and balance exercises.

• Night splints or massage tools: These tools aim to prevent stiffness — and with red light added in, you’re also speeding up the body’s natural healing response.

• Medication or ice: Red light therapy supports pain relief without side effects and may reduce reliance on NSAIDs over time by helping address root causes.

Whether you’re dealing with morning heel pain, midday flare-ups, or persistent soreness that hasn’t responded to traditional care, red light therapy offers a low-risk way to help your recovery go further — and faster. It’s not just what you use, but how you combine it that counts.

What to Know Before Getting Started with Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy is generally considered safe, painless, and easy to use at home, making it an attractive option for managing plantar fasciitis without injections or medications. Still, there are a few important things to keep in mind before getting started, especially if you’re dealing with chronic heel pain or other underlying conditions.

Safe for most users:

• Non-invasive and drug-free

• No known systemic side effects

• Can be combined with stretching, orthotics, or physical therapy

• Suitable for both acute flare-ups and long-term use

Use with caution or consult your healthcare provider if:

• You have open wounds, infections, or sores on the foot.

• You’re recovering from recent foot or ankle surgery.

• Your symptoms are worsening or not improving with conservative care.

• You are taking photosensitizing medications that increase sensitivity to light.

• You are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition that may affect light sensitivity.

If you’re unsure whether red light therapy is appropriate for your case, check in with your podiatrist, physical therapist, or primary care provider. They can help you determine the best treatment option or combination for your foot health and recovery goals.

Step into Relief — Without Stepping into a Clinic

When you’re dealing with the daily pain of plantar fasciitis, you need more than arch supports and stretching — you need a therapy that works at the source. Red light therapy energizes your cells, calms inflammation, and supports tissue healing in the plantar fascia, where chronic pain and microtears occur.

That’s why NovaaLab designs medical-grade red light therapy devices with precise wavelengths (630–660 nm red + 800–850 nm near-infrared) that target deep foot tissue — helping you recover from heel pain with powerful, non-invasive care at home.

If your foot pain is slowing you down, NovaaLab helps you step forward with:

• Targeted devices like the Novaa Light Boot and Cold Laser Therapy Device for plantar fasciitis relief

• Medical-grade technology optimized for tissue regeneration and inflammation control

• User-friendly safety features for worry-free daily use

• A 60-day “Love It or Return It” guarantee to make healing risk-free

Whether your plantar fasciitis is new, recurring, or chronic, red light therapy can improve your quality of life — helping you walk, move, and live with less pain.