The recovery secretbehind one of the NBA'smost recognized teams
Recovery windows in an NBA season are measured in hours, not days. The Chicago Bulls Player Health and Performance team added Novaalab red light therapy to their program. Here is what it does, and which devices are available for use at home.
As featured in
"Novaalab can help ease pain and improve mobility"
Oprah Daily"There isn't a day without players asking to use Novaalab's recovery tools."
Chicago Bulls"It is shocking how well Novaalab works."
The StrategistThe Partnership
Novaalab joins the Chicago Bulls
Novaalab has partnered with the Chicago Bulls, bringing red light therapy technology into the team's recovery facilities. For Novaalab, the collaboration marks a significant step into elite American sport and a deeper presence in Illinois.
The Bulls have integrated Novaalab devices into their player wellness and rehabilitation programs. These devices use red and near infrared light to support cellular regeneration, help circulation, and speed up muscle recovery, without drugs and without invasive procedures.
The Novaa Recovery System used by the Bulls
- Novaa Recovery Pod: a full body red light unit the staff reach for after games and travel.
- Novaa Pad XL: the versatile large area pad, used on targeted areas to support injury recovery.
- Novaa Light Boot: used specifically around the foot and ankle, where impact loading is highest.
Recovery windows in a professional season are short. Back to back games, travel and daily training leave a narrow gap between one session and the next, which is where a fast, repeatable, non invasive protocol earns its place in a training room.
"Novaalab's red light therapy products support the full spectrum of recovery needs we prioritize for our players throughout the season. The technology is easy to use, durable, and consistently effective, which makes a real difference in the day-to-day demands of player care."
The Decision
Why the Bulls chose Novaalab
In the team's own words, four things mattered when the staff selected the equipment that would go into daily use.
- Easy enough for daily use
- Recovery equipment only helps if it actually gets used between sessions. The staff describe the devices as easy to use and convenient, which is what keeps them in the routine rather than in a cupboard.
- Durable through a full season
- An NBA season is 82 games plus travel and daily training. Equipment is expected to hold up under constant handling across months of use, not weeks.
- Versatile across the body
- The Recovery Pod covers full body sessions after games and travel, the Pad XL targets a specific injury site, and the Light Boot handles the foot and ankle. One technology, shaped for wherever the problem is.
- Consistent enough to rely on
- The staff report the devices are consistently effective across the range of recovery needs they prioritize for players, and that there is barely a day without someone asking to use them.
From Science to the Court
How red light therapy actually works
Red light therapy has gained traction among professional athletes for its effect on ATP production, the energy currency of the cell. More available cellular energy is associated with faster healing, reduced inflammation and improved muscle function.
In practical terms, that means athletes are better able to handle the physical demands of back to back games, travel and training, while minimizing downtime and muscle soreness.
Powerhouses of the cell
Mitochondria inside your cells absorb specific wavelengths of light and convert that energy into cellular fuel, in a process comparable to photosynthesis in plants.
Energise your cells
With more available energy, cells work more efficiently, supporting faster healing after injury, surgery and intense physical activity.
Feel the benefits
By targeting mitochondria and stimulating collagen production, the devices help the body reduce inflammation, ease pain and repair damage.
The Evidence Base
Scientifically studied across more than 3,000 clinical papers
Observational findings on red and near infrared light in athletic populations.
reduction in muscle damage markers. Leading to faster recovery while reducing the risk of fatigue-related injuries.
improvement in performance. Red light therapy has been shown to enhance muscle endurance and recovery, helping athletes recover faster, and perform their best.
more repetitions performed in resistance exercise. By enhancing muscular endurance in training, which could allow athletes to hit new performance bests in their sport.
Based on findings published by OnPoint Neuro (Leal-Junior et al., 2018). Individual results vary.
Pick your red light therapy device
Every device below runs the same medical-grade wavelengths. The only difference is the shape, so pick the one that wraps where it hurts.
Knee pain
Novaa Knee Ultra
Arthritis · Post-surgery · Stiff knees
- Patented TotalKnee360® treats the entire knee, not just one side
- 96 high-output LEDs at 660nm + 850nm for deep tissue
- Walk while you treat — 2h battery, full range of motion
Free US shipping · 60-day guarantee
Any joint
Novaa Light Pad
Hips · Shoulders · Wrists
- 450 light chips — 300 infrared 850nm + 150 red 660nm
- One pad, every joint — knees, hips, wrists, hands, shoulders
- 20-minute sessions — drug-free, no pills, no surgery
Free US shipping · 60-day guarantee
Foot & ankle pain
Novaa Light Boot
Neuropathy · Plantar fasciitis · Swollen ankles
- Patented TotalFoot360® — soles, arches, toes, heels, ankles
- 170 clinical-grade LEDs across 4 wavelengths
- One size fits most — up to US 14 / EU 48, no straps
Free US shipping · 60-day guarantee
Lower back pain
Novaa Back Pad
Sciatica · Disc pain · Stiffness
- Triple action — red light, infrared heat and vibration
- 80 medical-grade LEDs across lumbar, spine and waist
- 100% cordless — wear it while you move, garden or rest
Free US shipping · 60-day guarantee
Try it for 60 days, entirely risk free
If it does not work for you, return it and we refund you in full, no questions asked.
"I highly recommend and encourage my practice members to use NOVAA Red / IR therapy devices to improve circulation, decrease pain and accelerate healing."Dr. Joseph A. La Barbera, Doctor of Chiropractic, Utica, NY
- 60 day trial Full refund if it does not help
- Free shipping On all US orders
- Up to 3 years Extendable warranty
- HSA / FSA Accepted at checkout
Questions
What people ask before buying
Do the Bulls use the same devices sold on this page?
Why does Novaalab cost more than cheaper red light devices?
When should I expect to notice a difference?
Is red light therapy safe to use at home?
How is this different from a heating pad?
Can I use HSA or FSA funds?
Start with the part
that slows you down
The Bulls do not wait for pain to settle on its own, and neither should you. Free shipping, a 60 day risk free trial, and a warranty of up to three years.
See the devicesOver 150,000 devices sold · Rated 4.9 out of 5 · FDA Class II registered
