A personal story and the science behind it, if you're dealing with back or neck pain — whether from a herniated disc, muscle strain, degenerative disc disease, or general chronic discomfort — red light therapy is worth serious consideration. It's non-invasive, painless, has an excellent safety profile, and the science behind it is solid.
By Jamie, Founder of Makiuri | A personal story and the science behind it
My Story: From Chronic Pain to Healing
Growing up in the Arctic, where winters stretch on for months and sunlight is scarce, I developed an early intuition about how powerfully light — or its absence — shapes the human body. But nothing prepared me for the wake-up call that came years later, when I was diagnosed with two herniated discs: one in my cervical spine and one in my lumbar spine.
As a pilot, I spent hours in a cockpit, sitting in a fixed posture, often in poorly pressurized environments. The pain crept in slowly — a dull ache in my neck, stiffness in my lower back — and then it became debilitating. I was facing the very real possibility of surgery. That fear pushed me to look harder at every alternative.
That search led me to red light therapy. Not as a quick fix or a wellness trend — but as a serious, science-backed tool for cellular regeneration and pain relief. I committed to a protocol. I tracked my results. And over time, I healed. Both discs. Without surgery.
Makiuri was born from that experience. And this post is for anyone who is where I once was — in pain, uncertain, and looking for answers.
What Is a Herniated Disc, Exactly?
Your spine is made up of vertebrae cushioned by intervertebral discs — rubbery pads that act as shock absorbers. A herniated disc (also called a slipped or ruptured disc) occurs when the soft inner gel of a disc pushes through a crack in its tougher outer casing.
This can irritate nearby nerves and cause:
• Radiating pain down the arm or leg (often called sciatica in the lumbar region)
• Numbness or tingling in the extremities
• Muscle weakness
• Localized back or neck pain that worsens with movement
Herniated discs are extremely common — affecting roughly 1 in 50 adults — and are one of the leading causes of missed work and reduced quality of life worldwide. Traditional treatment options range from physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications to epidural injections and spinal surgery.
"The body wants to heal. Our job is to give it the right conditions." — Jamie, Founder of Makiuri
How Red Light Therapy Works for Disc and Back Pain
Red light therapy (also called photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy) uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light — typically between 630nm and 850nm — to penetrate the skin and reach deep tissue. Once absorbed, this light triggers a cascade of biological responses at the cellular level.
1. Mitochondrial Activation = More Healing Energy
The primary mechanism is mitochondrial stimulation. Red and near-infrared light is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase, a key enzyme in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This boosts ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production — the cellular fuel your body uses to repair damaged tissue. More energy means faster, more efficient healing.
2. Reduction of Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is at the root of disc pain. When a disc herniates, the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed, pressing on nerves and intensifying pain signals. Red light therapy has been shown in multiple studies to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and promote the release of anti-inflammatory compounds, helping to quiet the inflammatory response without masking the pain with medications.
3. Improved Circulation
Discs have poor blood supply by nature — which is one reason they heal slowly. Red light therapy promotes the release of nitric oxide, a molecule that dilates blood vessels and improves microcirculation. Better blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients delivered directly to the injured site, accelerating the natural repair process.
4. Nerve Regeneration and Pain Modulation
Near-infrared wavelengths can penetrate several centimeters into the body, reaching nerve fibers in the spinal region. Research suggests photobiomodulation can support nerve repair and modulate pain signaling pathways, reducing the intensity of chronic pain signals over time.
What Does the Research Say?
The science on red light therapy for musculoskeletal pain is robust and growing. Here are a few key findings:
• A 2014 systematic review in the European Spine Journal found that low-level laser therapy significantly reduced chronic low back pain intensity compared to placebo, with effects lasting up to 6 months.
• A 2016 study published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery demonstrated meaningful improvement in pain and disability scores in patients with lumbar disc herniation after a course of photobiomodulation treatment.
• A 2019 review concluded that LLLT is a valid non-invasive treatment option for neck pain, with particularly strong evidence for reducing pain in the short to medium term.
This isn't fringe medicine. Photobiomodulation has over 6,000 published studies and is used in clinical settings worldwide, from sports medicine clinics to rehabilitation centers and military medical facilities.
Red light therapy doesn't replace your disc. It creates the conditions for your body to heal the disc itself.
My Personal Protocol for Healing Herniated Discs
I want to be clear: I am not a doctor, and what worked for me should not replace professional medical advice. But I can share what I did, and why each element matters.
Device
I used a high-quality panel with both 660nm (red) and 850nm (near-infrared) wavelengths. The 660nm wavelength is highly effective for surface tissue and inflammation, while 850nm penetrates more deeply — crucial for reaching spinal structures.
Positioning
For my cervical herniation, I positioned the panel at neck and upper back level, standing approximately 6-12 inches away. For my lumbar disc, I targeted the lower back, often using the panel while seated or standing, focusing on the affected vertebral level.
Duration and Frequency
I began with 10-minute sessions, twice daily, on the affected areas. Over several weeks, I extended sessions to 15-20 minutes as my tolerance and understanding of the therapy improved. Consistency was everything — I treated this like medicine, not like a luxury.
Complementary Practices
Red light therapy was part of a broader protocol that included:
• Targeted physical therapy and corrective exercise
• Anti-inflammatory nutrition (reducing processed foods, increasing omega-3s)
• Proper sleep position and ergonomic adjustments
• Meditation and nervous system regulation to manage the stress response
The combination was what made the difference. Red light therapy accelerated the healing, but the foundation of lifestyle changes supported it.
What to Realistically Expect
I want to set honest expectations. Red light therapy is not an overnight solution. For herniated discs, healing takes time — usually weeks to months of consistent use. Most people report:
• Reduction in pain intensity within 2–4 weeks of consistent use
• Improved mobility and reduced stiffness within 4–8 weeks
• Noticeable structural improvement (confirmed by imaging) over 3–6 months in some cases
Your results will depend on the severity of the herniation, your age, overall health, lifestyle factors, and the quality of your device. A clinical-grade panel with validated wavelengths and adequate irradiance is essential — not all devices are created equal.
"I committed to the process not knowing if it would work. The science told me it should. My body confirmed it did." — Jamie
Is Red Light Therapy Right for Your Back Pain?
If you're dealing with back or neck pain — whether from a herniated disc, muscle strain, degenerative disc disease, or general chronic discomfort — red light therapy is worth serious consideration. It's non-invasive, painless, has an excellent safety profile, and the science behind it is solid.
As with any health intervention, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider, particularly if you have a confirmed diagnosis or are recovering from spinal surgery.
The Makiuri Approach
At Makiuri, we believe that true healing starts at the cellular level. Our devices are designed to deliver the precise wavelengths and irradiance levels that the research supports, in a format that fits into your daily life — whether that's a full panel for home use or the portable Mercury device for travel and targeted treatment.
If Jamie's story resonates with you, we'd love to be part of your healing journey. Start with our Red Light Therapy 101 guide, explore our devices, and reach out — our team is here to help you find the right protocol.
Your body wants to heal. Let's give it the light it needs.
Disclaimer: Individual results vary. Red light therapy is a complementary wellness tool and not a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult your healthcare provider for specific health conditions.