Red vs. Near-Infrared vs. Pulse Frequency: How Red Light Therapy Actually Works (Part 2 of 2)

In Part 1, John Graham Harper shared how skepticism turned into a company after red light therapy healed a knee injury that had plagued him for years. In Part 2 of this Your Health Reclaimed conversation, Dr. Brad and John go deep into the actual science — the wavelengths, the devices, and the clinical protocols behind Lumaflex.John breaks down exactly how his devices work: red light at 630 nanometers penetrates roughly an inch into the body, while near-infrared light at 850 nanometers reaches about four inches deep — meaning the same device can address surface-level inflammation or deeper chronic pain, depending on the wavelength. He compares Lumaflex to a familiar tool: it's built to be the light-therapy version of a massage gun — portable, durable, and designed for a 10-minute, skin-contact session rather than a distant, passive treatment.The conversation covers all three Lumaflex devices: the Essential (the standard red and near-infrared unit), the Body Pro (a fully waterproof, IP67-rated version with a spare battery that's GSA-approved and used by the U.S. military, including in ambulances overseas), and the Essential Pro (a six-wavelength device reaching up to 1064 nanometers, built around brain-health applications and currently part of an autism clinical trial in Italy).Then Dr. Brad introduces one of the episode's most practical insights: pulse frequency. Lumaflex's app lets users adjust pulse frequency up to 100Hz, with clinical research behind specific settings — including 40Hz aimed at the back of the neck for PTSD, and 50Hz for menstrual pain. Dr. Brad adds a protocol tip from his own clinical experience: higher frequencies (60–100Hz) calm pain down fast but don't last, while lower frequencies (5–15Hz) take longer to kick in but produce relief that actually holds.Key takeaways from Part 2:Why wavelength determines how deep light therapy penetrates — and which conditions it can reachThe difference between near-infrared and far-infrared light (and why only one is FDA-cleared for pain)What separates Lumaflex's three devices, including the one used by the U.S. militaryThe pulse-frequency protocol that can make the difference between short-term and lasting pain reliefIf you missed Part 1, go back and hear the injury story that started it all — then come here for the science.Want to get to the root cause of your own health issue? Book a consultation with Dr. Brad and the HealthfullyU team at healthfullyu.com, or connect on Instagram @healthfullyu.Ready to try Lumaflex, or want John's free photobiomodulation education course? Message John Graham Harper on Instagram @JohnGrahamFitness, or visit lumaflex.com to explore the Essential, Body Pro, and Essential Pro devices.New episodes of Your Health Reclaimed drop every Monday and Thursday — subscribe and leave a review if this episode helped you understand pain differently.