How a Red Light Therapy Bed with PEMF May Help Patients with Long COVID

Understanding Long COVID

While most people recover from COVID-19 within weeks, some continue to experience symptoms for months — a condition known as long COVID or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

Common long COVID symptoms include:

  • Persistent fatigue
  • Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Poor exercise tolerance
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Loss of taste or smell

Research suggests these lingering symptoms may be linked to chronic inflammation, microvascular damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and immune dysregulation — all of which can impair cellular energy production and tissue repair.

What Is a Red Light Therapy Bed?

A red light therapy (RLT) bed uses targeted wavelengths of red (~630–660 nm) and near-infrared (~810–850 nm) light to penetrate deep into tissues. This process, called photobiomodulation (PBM), activates mitochondrial enzymes like cytochrome c oxidase, boosting ATP production — the energy currency of the cell.

Potential benefits for long COVID include:

  • Improved energy production — Helping reduce fatigue and muscle weakness.
  • Reduced inflammation — PBM has been shown to lower pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially easing joint and nerve pain.
  • Enhanced microcirculation — Better oxygen delivery to tissues may help with lingering shortness of breath and poor exercise recovery.
  • Support for neurological function — Near-infrared light can cross the skull to support brain cell metabolism, potentially improving brain fog.

What Is PEMF Therapy?

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy delivers low-frequency magnetic pulses to the body, influencing cell membrane potential and improving nutrient exchange.

Potential benefits for long COVID include:

  • Microvascular repair — PEMF can improve endothelial function and capillary blood flow, which is critical since microclot formation is suspected in long COVID.
  • Mitochondrial support — PEMF helps optimize oxygen utilization and reduce oxidative stress.
  • Pain relief — By modulating nerve activity and reducing inflammation, PEMF may ease muscle and joint pain.
  • Immune regulation — PEMF can help modulate immune cell activity, potentially reducing overactive immune responses.

Why Combine Red Light Therapy and PEMF?

While both RLT and PEMF can be effective individually, combining them in a full-body therapy bed offers synergistic benefits that may address multiple aspects of long COVID at once:

  1. Energy Restoration
    • RLT boosts ATP output in mitochondria.
    • PEMF enhances cellular nutrient uptake and waste removal, supporting energy metabolism.
  2. Circulatory Support
    • RLT promotes vasodilation for better oxygen delivery.
    • PEMF improves microvascular flow and endothelial health.
  3. Inflammation Control
    • Both therapies downregulate inflammatory pathways and reduce oxidative stress.
  4. Full-Body Coverage
    • Many long COVID symptoms are systemic, so a bed treatment provides comprehensive exposure rather than targeting isolated areas.

The Science Behind It

While direct clinical trials on RLT + PEMF for long COVID are still emerging, studies in related conditions are encouraging:

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) — PBM and PEMF have shown improvements in fatigue, pain, and exercise tolerance.
  • Post-viral syndromes — Both technologies have demonstrated benefits in reducing inflammation and restoring energy balance.
  • Cardiovascular health — PEMF improves endothelial function, while RLT increases nitric oxide production, both essential for microvascular health.

Given the overlap in underlying mechanisms between long COVID and these conditions, these therapies may offer meaningful support.

Integrating RLT + PEMF into a Long COVID Recovery Plan

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we view these technologies as complementary to a comprehensive recovery program that may include:

  • Nutritional strategies to reduce inflammation and support mitochondrial repair
  • Gut health optimization to improve immune regulation (see our blog on Fixing Gut Dysbiosis to Help Autoimmune Issues)
  • Targeted supplementation with omega-3s, antioxidants, and mitochondrial nutrients like CoQ10 and PQQ
  • Gentle, graded exercise to rebuild endurance
  • Stress management techniques to promote nervous system balance (see our blog on Stress Management Techniques)

We typically recommend a series of RLT + PEMF sessions 2–3 times weekly at first, with adjustments based on patient response and recovery progress.

A Patient Example

One of our patients, a 44-year-old woman, came to us 8 months after COVID-19 with ongoing fatigue, brain fog, and muscle soreness. She had been unable to resume her regular workouts and struggled to focus at work.

After beginning a combined RLT + PEMF bed program — alongside a tailored nutrition and supplement plan — she reported:

  • Improved mental clarity within 4 weeks
  • Reduced post-exercise soreness
  • Greater daily energy and stamina

While she continued other supportive measures, she credited the therapy bed as a turning point in her recovery.

The Bottom Line

A red light therapy bed with PEMF is not a cure for long COVID, but it may be a powerful adjunct in supporting energy production, circulation, and inflammation control. For many patients, these benefits translate into better daily function, reduced symptoms, and a faster return to normal life.

If you’re living with long COVID symptoms, our St. Louis-based team offers both in-office therapy sessions and telemedicine consultations to create a personalized recovery plan.

Internal Link Opportunities:

  • Link “gut health optimization” to Fixing Gut Dysbiosis to Help Autoimmune Issues.
  • Link “stress management” to Stress Management Techniques.
  • Link “circulatory health” to Nitric Oxide Deficiency and Hypertension.

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