Episode Details

Chronic pain affects an enormous portion of the population and for decades, the default answers have been drugs, sedation, or invasive procedures. In this Energy Code Deep Dive, Dr. Mike Belkowski and Don Bailey unpack a 2026 systematic review (Ferreira et al.) that analyzed 14 randomized controlled trials on photobiomodulation (PBM) for chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, neuropathy, TMJ/TMD, and post-COVID pain.

They break down the “energy code” behind PBM: how red and near-infrared light can stimulate mitochondria to produce more ATP, lower inflammatory cytokines (like IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), and modulate pain signaling in both peripheral nerves and the central nervous system. The episode also covers why PBM is not “just shining a flashlight,” why dosing and wavelength precision matter, and why this field may represent a shift from the chemical age of medicineto the energy age.

Most importantly, they discuss the clinical implications: meaningful symptom relief, improved function and quality of life, and a remarkably strong safety profile—with 13 of 14 trials reporting zero adverse events.

(Educational content only, not medical advice.)

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Article Discussed in Episode:

Photobiomodulation in chronic pain: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

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Key Quotes From Dr. Mike:

“What if the answer (to chronic pain) wasn’t chemical at all? What if the answer was actually energetic?”

“You’re making the world less hostile to their bodies.” (re: fibromyalgia pain threshold)

“We’re talking about repairing the wiring, not just muting the signal.”

“PBM doesn’t just numb the pain… it is returning the tissue to a functional state.”

“We are moving from the chemical age to the energy age.”

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Key points

1. Chronic pain is a massive global problem

   The episode frames chronic pain as a major public health crisis, affecting a huge percentage of adults worldwide.

2. PBM is not “flashlight therapy”

   This is a precise medical/biological intervention using specific wavelengths and dosing parameters—not generic red light.

3. The episode centers on a 2026 systematic review

   Ferreira et al. analyzed 14 randomized controlled trials (2015–2025), making this one of the strongest summaries of recent PBM pain research.

4. PBM works through a 3-pronged mechanism

   • Mitochondrial boost (more ATP / “recharging the battery”)

   • Inflammation reduction (lower IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, prostaglandins)

   • Neural modulation (reduced pain fiber excitability + neurotransmitter shifts)

    

5. Wavelength and power density are everything

   The biological “key” usually falls in the 660–905 nm range, with correct irradiance needed to trigger a mitochondrial response.

6. Fibromyalgia results were especially encouraging

   The review highlighted rigorous trials (including triple-blinded designs) showing reduced tender points, lower pain, and improved pain threshold.

7. Whole-body PBM may improve quality of life

   In addition to symptom reduction, some studies showed improvements in health-related quality of life, which matters deeply in chronic pain.

8. Neuropathy outcomes were clinically mea