How Red Light Therapy Helps Restore Energy in People with Chronic Fatigue

Written By Jennifer Sharp

How Red Light Therapy Helps Restore Energy in People with Chronic Fatigue

You’ve slept. You’ve rested. You’ve cut caffeine, tried supplements, and done your best to “take it easy.” And yet—you still wake up feeling like your battery never charged overnight.

If this is your daily reality, you’re not alone. And more importantly—you’re not imagining it.

There’s a growing body of research showing that chronic fatigue isn’t just about being tired. It’s often a sign that your body is struggling to create or use energy at the cellular level. That’s why no amount of rest seems to help.

The good news? There’s a safe, non-invasive therapy that may help you finally recharge—and no, it’s not another pill, powder, or empty promise.

It’s called Red Light Therapy (also known as Photobiomodulation, or PBM). And for those who’ve been running on fumes for far too long, it might just be a game-changer.

The Problem: You Feel Drained, and Rest Isn’t Helping

For people living with chronic fatigue—whether diagnosed as CFS/ME, post-viral fatigue, long COVID, or simply a state of deep, unrelenting exhaustion—the problem isn’t just that you’re tired.

It’s that your body isn’t recharging.

You're doing everything right. But it still feels like you're dragging yourself through the day on 10% battery. You can feel it in your muscles, your brain, your motivation. And no matter how much you sleep, it doesn’t refill the tank.

This isn’t a motivation issue.
It’s an energy issue.

And Red Light Therapy addresses that—right at the source.

 The Science: How Red Light Therapy Recharges the Body

Red Light Therapy works by delivering specific wavelengths of light into your body, where it’s absorbed by the mitochondria—the energy-producing engines inside your cells.

When your mitochondria absorb this light, something remarkable happens:

  • ATP production increases (ATP = the energy currency of your cells)

  • Circulation improves, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to tissues

  • Inflammation decreases, reducing strain on the body

  • Melatonin balances, supporting deeper, more restorative sleep

It’s not a stimulant.
It’s not forcing your body to do something unnatural.
It’s a energy boost to a system that’s been struggling for far too long.

How It Helps: The Real Benefits for People with Chronic Fatigue

Early clinical trials and case studies point to several promising benefits—especially for those living with long-term, unexplained fatigue. We have seen countless clients with chronic fatigue improve their quality of life while getting treatment at Enlighten.

✅ 1. Improved Energy Levels

By boosting ATP production, Red Light Therapy supports your body’s natural ability to make and use energy. Clients often describe feeling more stable—not wired or “amped,” but steadier, clearer, and more capable.

✅ 2. Better Sleep, Naturally

Red Light Therapy supports melatonin production and helps regulate circadian rhythms. For people whose fatigue is tied to poor or fragmented sleep, this can be a turning point.

✅ 3. Pain and Muscle Recovery

Many people with chronic fatigue also experience pain, soreness, or post-exertional crashes. RLT reduces inflammation, increases circulation, and activates the body’s own pain relief systems.

✅ 4. Reduced Brain Fog and Mental Fatigue

RLT has been shown to improve cerebral blood flow and support neurogenesis—translating to clearer thinking, better focus, and less mental drag.

What the Research Says

Here are a few highlights from peer-reviewed studies:

  • 2020 Study: Red and near-infrared light therapy significantly increased mitochondrial activity and ATP levels—improving perceived energy and endurance.
    🔗 Read study

  • 2019 Trial: Transcranial PBM improved cognitive performance and reduced mental fatigue in individuals with chronic brain injuries and fatigue syndromes.
    🔗 Read study

  • 2017 Randomized Clinical Trial: Photobiomodulation combined with light exercise led to significant reductions in pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients.
    🔗 Read study

What to Expect at Enlighten Red Light Therapy Center

At Enlighten, we don’t treat you like a number—we treat you like someone who deserves real support.

A typical first session includes:

  • A consultation and protocol tailored to your needs

  • A private, quiet space where you can truly rest

  • A 30-minute full-body Red Light Therapy session on our professional-grade Red Light Therapy system

  • A 30-minute LED photofacial to support skin health and relaxation

  • A 10-minute whole body vibration session for circulation and lymph flow, optional

Many people notice a difference after the first session. 

We Invite You to the Light

You’ve done the hard part—it's exhausting pushing through every day. What if a pause is all you need to move forward? You’re invited to experience Red Light Therapy in a way that’s recharging, relaxing, science-backed, and deeply human. Come visit our Sacramento, CA center and see what your body does when it’s finally given power it’s been missing.

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Jennifer Sharp
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The Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Fibromyalgia: A Gentle Guide to Real Relief