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NovoTHOR at East Devon Physical Therapy:

 

Why our £150,000 medical-grade light pod investment isn’t the same as ‘red light’ gadgets online

 

If you’ve been looking into “red light therapy”, you’ve probably seen everything from handheld torches to panels and masks online — often marketed with big promises.

 

Here’s the key point:

NovoTHOR isn’t a consumer “red light gadget”. It’s a medically regulated, clinic-grade photobiomodulation (PBM) system that sits in a completely different category to the majority of devices sold online.

 

And yes — even a few hundred quid is still “cheap” in this world. A budget ‘red light’ gadget isn’t the same as a medical-grade photobiomodulation system — it’s like confusing a fridge magnet with an MRI.

 

A quick reality check: two sessions rarely tells you anything

 

We sometimes hear people say “it didn’t work” after only one or two sessions.

 

But ask yourself this: with almost any other treatment approach — even something as serious as chemotherapy — would you expect symptoms to resolve after a couple of sessions over a couple of weeks?

 

Simple answer: no.

 

And if someone has been dealing with pain and symptoms that are long-standing, it’s even less realistic to expect a meaningful, lasting change from a treatment modality used for such a short period.

 

That doesn’t mean PBM is “slow” or that you should keep doing something forever with no plan — it means you need the right dose, the right timeframe, and the right expectations, ideally as part of a wider rehab strategy.

 

Our recommendation: start with a minimum of 6 sessions

 

As a general rule, we recommend people commit to a minimum of 6 sessions to properly begin a course of PBM.

 

A one-off session can be useful for something relatively straightforward — for example, exercise recovery.

 

But if you’re looking for a long-term change in a long-standing problem, hoping you’ll feel “fixed” after 20 minutes is rarely realistic. In that scenario, you may genuinely be better off saving your money than doing one or two sessions and crossing your fingers.

 

When will you feel it?

People respond differently:

  • Some people feel instant relief

  • Some notice changes after a few sessions

  • For others, it may not “kick in” until 8–10 sessions

That variability is normal — and it’s exactly why outcomes and expectations need to be realistic.

 

PBM is used in mainstream healthcare too (not just “wellness”)

 

One reason we’re so careful about expectations and dosing is that PBM isn’t just an internet trend — it’s used in serious medical settings.

 

For example, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has published interventional procedures guidance on low-level laser therapy for preventing or treating oral mucositis caused by radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

 

Important: this doesn’t mean PBM is a cure-all for every condition — it means the modality itself is credible enough to be assessed and used within regulated healthcare pathways when applied correctly.

 

PBM for fibromyalgia and persistent pain: where it may fit

 

Fibromyalgia and persistent pain are rarely “one tissue, one problem”. They’re often a mix of:

  • A sensitised nervous system

  • Sleep disruption and fatigue

  • Reduced tolerance to load and activity

  • Flare-ups that feel unpredictable

In that context, the goal is usually not a miracle switch-off. It’s to reduce symptom intensity, improve day-to-day function, and help you build a plan you can actually stick to.

 

At EDPT, we sometimes use PBM as a supportive tool for people with fibromyalgia and chronic pain — alongside pacing, strength work, movement exposure, and education.

 

If you want to read more about our approach, here’s our dedicated page: https://eastdevonphysicaltherapy.co.uk/fibromyalgia/

 

What is photobiomodulation (PBM)?

 

Photobiomodulation is the clinical term for using specific wavelengths of light to influence biological processes in tissue. In clinic settings, PBM is used as a supportive tool alongside a proper assessment and rehab plan — not as a magic fix.

You’ll also see PBM described as “red light therapy” or “near-infrared light therapy” online, but those labels get used very loosely.

 

Why ‘red light’ devices aren’t all the same

 

Two products can both be described as “red light therapy” and still be fundamentally different in what they deliver.

The differences that matter include:

  • Wavelengths used (and whether they’re appropriate for the goal)

  • Power output / irradiance (how much usable light reaches tissue)

  • Treatment area coverage (spot treatment vs whole-body)

  • Consistency and quality control (repeatable dosing matters)

  • Safety and regulation (medical device standards vs consumer electronics)

A low-cost ‘red light’ device can’t be assumed to match a medically regulated photobiomodulation system — it’s the difference between a fridge magnet and an MRI scanner.

 

Why we chose NovoTHOR (and why it’s a six-figure system)

 

NovoTHOR is a full-body PBM light pod used in professional sport and clinical environments.

 

At East Devon Physical Therapy, we invested in NovoTHOR because it fits our approach:

  • Evidence-informed care (we don’t chase fads)

  • Measurable rehab (we track outcomes and progress)

  • The right tool for the right person (PBM is supportive, not a substitute for rehab)

It’s also a major investment — a £150,000 medically regulated system — and it’s built for consistent, repeatable clinical use.

 

What patients use NovoTHOR for (in real life)

 

People typically book NovoTHOR sessions to support:

  • Recovery from training and sport (when you’re trying to keep moving but manage load)

  • Persistent aches and pains (as part of a wider plan)

  • Post-op or post-injury rehab (to support the overall process)

  • General recovery and wellbeing (especially when you’re run down)

We’ll always be honest about what it can and can’t do for your specific situation.

 

What you should look for if you’re comparing devices

 

If you’re tempted by an online purchase, here are a few practical questions to ask before you spend money:

  1. Is it a medically regulated device, or just marketed like one?

  2. Do they publish meaningful technical specs (not just vague claims)?

  3. Is the treatment area large enough to be useful for your goal?

  4. Is there any credible evidence for that exact device, not just “red light” in general?

  5. Are you buying it to avoid getting assessed? (If so, you may be missing the real problem.)

The bottom line

 

If you want something that looks like “red light therapy”, you can buy it online.

If you want clinic-grade photobiomodulation delivered consistently and safely, with guidance on whether it’s appropriate for you, that’s a different thing entirely.

 

Want to try NovoTHOR at EDPT?

 

If you’re curious whether NovoTHOR could support your recovery, book in and we’ll point you in the right direction.

References:

 

 

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