Medical Grade Photobiomodulation
at Urban Massage & Wellness
Red light therapy, more accurately called photobiomodulation (PBM), is a clinically researched, non invasive technology that supports the body at a cellular level.
Rather than creating a surface level effect, true PBM works by encouraging the body’s natural repair and recovery processes from the inside out.
At Urban Massage & Wellness, we offer medical grade photobiomodulation, not LED light therapy. While LED lights are widely marketed and increasingly popular, the quality of the light source, how it is delivered, and how it interacts with human tissue can make a profound difference in real world results.
What Is Photobiomodulation
Photobiomodulation involves exposing tissue to specific wavelengths of red and near infrared (NIR) light that are absorbed by the mitochondria, the energy centres of your cells.
When mitochondria absorb this light, they increase production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the molecule responsible for cellular energy.
Increased ATP availability supports:
- Tissue repair and regeneration
- Reduced inflammation and swelling
- Improved circulation and oxygen delivery
- Faster recovery and improved cellular resilience
PBM has been studied since the 1960s and is used worldwide in rehabilitation, sports medicine, dermatology, pain management, and integrative healthcare settings.
Why Our Light Is Different
Not all red light therapy is created equal. This is where much of the confusion in the marketplace exists.
The Truth About LED Light Therapy
LED light panels, whether used at home or marketed as “medical grade,” emit pulsed, columnar light. In practical terms, this means light is delivered in narrow, directional columns rather than evenly dispersed, output is delivered in rapid pulses rather than a continuous stream, energy is fragmented across the surface, and penetration is primarily surface level.
While LED light can be useful for skin level applications, it does not provide the depth, consistency, or tissue coverage needed to effectively support joints, muscles, connective tissue, or deeper recovery processes.
There is also a nervous system component that is often overlooked. We already live in a world filled with screens, artificial lighting, notifications, and sensory overload. For some people, pulsed or flickering light applied close to the body can feel subtly stimulating rather than regulating.
In contrast, our medical grade photobiomodulation system delivers continuous, non pulsed light. This steady, evenly dispersed energy is often experienced as more settling, allowing the nervous system to downshift while tissues receive consistent, uninterrupted exposure.
If the goal is simply exposure to something red, an LED panel is not fundamentally different from wrapping yourself in a string of red LED Christmas lights. Just because light appears red does not mean it delivers true photobiomodulation.
Photobiomodulation is not about colour. It is about how the light is generated, how it is delivered, and how deeply it interacts with living tissue.
How Our System Differs
Our system uses a hyper plasma arc quartz light source, which fundamentally changes how light interacts with the body.
Unlike LED systems, our light is continuous and non pulsed, evenly dispersed rather than columnar, broad spectrum with multiple clinically effective red and near infrared wavelengths, and high energy yet non thermal, classified as cold light therapy.
This allows the light to fully saturate tissue and penetrate deeply, up to approximately 3 inches, reaching muscles, joints, connective tissue, and vascular structures that LED systems cannot effectively access.
The result is a more complete and biologically meaningful cellular response.
How Medical Grade PBM Supports the Body
Muscle Tension, Joint Stress, and Physical Recovery
Photobiomodulation may help reduce muscle tension and joint discomfort by supporting circulation, calming inflammatory responses, and improving cellular energy availability.
PBM is commonly used alongside massage therapy to support repetitive strain and overuse injuries, athletic recovery and training demands, and desk related tension and postural strain.
Because light penetrates beyond the reach of manual techniques, PBM complements hands on care rather than replacing it.
Inflammation, Lymphatic Support, and Healing
By increasing ATP production, photobiomodulation supports cellular efficiency and tissue repair, helping the body regulate inflammation over time.
PBM may be integrated alongside lymphatic and manual therapies for clients experiencing persistent swelling or inflammation, recovery from injury, or tissue stress and delayed healing.
Many clients see the best results through a series of treatments, often scheduled 2 to 3 times per week for several weeks, depending on individual goals.
Post Injury and Pre or Post Surgical Support
Medical grade photobiomodulation is commonly used to support the body before and after injury or surgery by encouraging circulation, supporting a healthy inflammatory response, and assisting tissue repair at a cellular level.
Pre surgical PBM may be used to help prepare tissue ahead of a planned procedure. Supporting circulation and cellular energy before surgery can help optimize tissue quality going into recovery.
Post injury and post surgical PBM is often incorporated once appropriate to support healing and recovery.
Safety note: PBM may be used after surgery once staples or metal closures have been fully removed. Stitches are generally acceptable. Timing and placement are always decided on a case by case basis based on your situation.
PBM is a supportive therapy and works alongside medical care and hands on treatments as part of a collaborative recovery approach.
Nervous System Support, Stress, and Sleep
Stress often shows up physically in the body. PBM may help support nervous system regulation by improving circulation and reducing muscular guarding.
When combined with massage therapy, clients often report a deeper sense of relaxation, improved sleep quality over time, and reduced physical stress patterns.
Skin Health and Signs of Aging
Photobiomodulation supports collagen and elastin production, which are key components of skin structure and resilience.
Benefits may include improved skin tone and texture, reduced appearance of fine lines, and support for inflammatory skin conditions.
PBM works without damaging the skin barrier and does not involve aggressive surface treatments.
What to Expect From Your Photobiomodulation Session
Before Your First Session
Very little preparation is needed. To support the best experience:
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Avoid heavy lotions, oils, or makeup on the area being treated, if possible
- Remove metal or jewellery from the treatment area
- Stay well hydrated before and after your session
If photobiomodulation is being combined with massage, light therapy is typically scheduled before hands-on treatment so oils or lotions do not interfere with light transmission.
You’ll also complete a brief intake and consent form before your first session to ensure this therapy is appropriate for you.
During Your Session
- Typical treatment time is 20 minutes per treatment area, based on optimal therapeutic dosing
- Sessions are non-invasive and require no downtime
- A staff member will position the light over the area you wish to work on, provide protective eyewear, and start the session
- Once you’re set up, you’ll be left alone in the room for the duration of the treatment so you can relax comfortably and undisturbed
- The system does not heat tissue like lasers or heat-based therapies, though some people notice a gentle warmth due to deep tissue penetration
- Most clients find sessions calming, quiet, and grounding
After Your Session
No specific aftercare is required.
- You can return to normal activities immediately
- Some people feel relaxed or notice mild warmth or circulation in the treated area
- Staying hydrated and allowing your body to rest can be supportive
Photobiomodulation is cumulative, so lasting or structural changes typically occur with consistent sessions over time rather than after a single treatment.
