If you’re struggling with lingering symptoms after recovering from COVID-19, you’re not alone. Long COVID—the term for persistent symptoms that last weeks or months after the initial infection—has affected millions of people worldwide. For some, it feels like they’ve never fully recovered.
Common symptoms include chronic fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, inflammation, and nerve-related discomfort. Many long COVID sufferers find that traditional treatments offer little relief, leaving them searching for alternative ways to regain their health and energy.
This is where low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may help. Known for its ability to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and support cellular healing, LLLT has become an emerging option for managing post-viral symptoms.
Let’s explore how laser therapy could play a role in post-COVID recovery, what the research says, and whether it’s a good option for you.
Understanding Long COVID: Why Do Symptoms Linger?
One of the most frustrating aspects of long COVID is that it doesn’t have a single cause. It’s a complex condition that can affect multiple systems in the body. Researchers believe lingering symptoms may be caused by:
- Chronic inflammation – The immune system may remain overactive, leading to persistent pain, swelling, and fatigue.
- Poor circulation – COVID-19 has been shown to affect microvascular function, meaning blood flow to muscles and joints may be impaired.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction – The virus can disrupt how cells produce energy, leading to severe fatigue and muscle weakness.
- Nerve sensitivity – Some people experience neuropathic pain, tingling, and burning sensations due to lingering nerve inflammation.
Because LLLT is known to help with inflammation, circulation, and nerve healing, it has been gaining attention as a potential tool for managing post-COVID symptoms.
How Laser Therapy May Help with Long COVID Symptoms
LLLT works by delivering low-intensity laser light to affected areas, stimulating cellular repair, reducing inflammation, and improving energy production. Here’s how it may help with some of the most common post-COVID symptoms.
1. Reducing Chronic Inflammation and Pain
Many long COVID sufferers experience widespread pain, particularly in the joints and muscles. This is often due to persistent inflammatory cytokines, which remain elevated even after the virus is gone.
LLLT has been shown to:
- ✔ Reduce pro-inflammatory markers like TNF-α and IL-6, which contribute to long-term pain.
- ✔ Improve tissue oxygenation, helping to flush out inflammatory waste products.
- ✔ Support collagen production, which aids in the healing of damaged tissues.
For those experiencing arthritis-like joint pain, muscle aches, or fibromyalgia-like symptoms, laser therapy may offer a drug-free way to ease discomfort.
2. Improving Circulation and Oxygen Delivery
Some long COVID patients suffer from poor blood circulation, leading to cold hands and feet, brain fog, and muscle weakness. The virus is known to affect the endothelium (lining of blood vessels), making it harder for the body to efficiently transport oxygen.
LLLT enhances circulation by:
- ✔ Stimulating nitric oxide production, which helps widen blood vessels.
- ✔ Reducing microclots, which can impair oxygen delivery to tissues.
- ✔ Enhancing red blood cell function, improving overall energy levels.
Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reach muscles, joints, and nerves—supporting faster recovery and reduced fatigue.
3. Supporting Energy Production and Mitochondrial Function
Long COVID-related fatigue isn’t just “feeling tired.” Many people describe it as completely debilitating, preventing them from doing even simple tasks. This extreme exhaustion may be due to mitochondrial dysfunction, meaning the body struggles to produce energy at a cellular level.
LLLT has been found to:
- ✔ Increase ATP (cellular energy) production, giving cells the energy they need to repair and function properly.
- ✔ Improve muscle endurance, helping people regain strength.
- ✔ Reduce oxidative stress, which can contribute to post-viral fatigue.
For those dealing with chronic exhaustion and brain fog, laser therapy may provide a natural way to restore cellular energy levels.
What the Research Says
A 2020 study published in The American Journal of Physiology (PMC ID: 7428000) examined the effects of laser therapy on post-viral inflammation and mitochondrial function.
Key Findings:
- ✔ LLLT significantly reduced inflammation markers in post-viral patients.
- ✔ Participants reported improved energy levels and reduced joint and muscle pain after multiple sessions.
- ✔ The study praised LLLT’s ability to enhance circulation and oxygenation, which plays a crucial role in recovery.
Best LLLT Devices for Post-COVID Relief
1. Pulsed Low-Level Laser Therapy Device
💡 Best for: Chronic pain, joint inflammation, and fatigue recovery.
- ✔ Pulsed technology for deeper tissue penetration and enhanced healing.
- ✔ Helps with long COVID symptoms, fatigue, and muscle weakness.
2. IASO Ultra Laser Device
💡 Best for: Mild muscle pain, neuropathic discomfort, and relaxation.
- ✔ Compact, easy-to-use, designed for targeted pain relief.
- ✔ Helps with post-viral nerve pain and inflammation.
Final Thoughts
Long COVID can feel like a never-ending battle, but laser therapy offers a promising, natural way to manage symptoms. If you’re struggling with pain, inflammation, or fatigue, LLLT may help support your recovery.
Ready to try it? Check out the Pulsed Low-Level Laser Therapy Device and IASO Ultra to see if laser therapy can help you regain your energy and well-being.
Recovery is possible—and you deserve to feel better.
References:
Mokmeli S, Vetrici M. Low level laser therapy as a modality to attenuate cytokine storm at multiple levels, enhance recovery, and reduce the use of ventilators in COVID-19. Can J Respir Ther. 2020 Jul 23;56:25-31. https://doi.org/10.29390/cjrt-2020-015 PMCID: PMC7428000.
