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Light therapy for chronic pain: From molecular mechanisms to next-generation therapeutic strategies

Shao-Jie Gao1, Dai-Qiang Liu1, Chao-Ran Ren2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology
|April 18, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Light therapies offer a promising non-drug approach for chronic pain. This review explores how specific light wavelengths modulate pain pathways and neuroimmune interactions for future precision treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Chronic pain is a complex condition with limited treatment options.
  • Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly sought for pain management.
  • Light-based therapies show potential for modulating pain signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in light-based interventions for chronic pain.
  • To elucidate molecular and circuit-level mechanisms of light therapy in pain.
  • To examine translational progress in laser therapy and optogenetics for pain.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of molecular, circuit-level, and translational studies.
  • Analysis of how specific light wavelengths affect nociceptive pathways.
  • Integration of data on neuroimmune interactions and central pain circuits.

Main Results:

  • Specific light wavelengths influence nociceptive pathways and neuroimmune responses.
  • Laser photobiomodulation and optogenetics demonstrate therapeutic potential.
  • Understanding circuit specificity is key for effective neuromodulation.

Conclusions:

  • Light-based therapies represent a promising avenue for chronic pain management.
  • Precision neuromodulation strategies can be developed based on these findings.
  • Further research can advance non-pharmacological pain treatment options.
Keywords:
Chronic painLaser photobiomodulationLight therapy

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