Lighting The Way To Healing | Roxanne's Red Light Therapy
Teresa Castello lived with chronic knee pain for more than 18 years. The injury affected nearly every aspect of her daily life: constant pain, limited mobility and little relief from traditional treatments.
Then she discovered red light therapy.“I stumbled across people who had used red light therapy,” she said. “I was intrigued so I started researching home devices to see if I could find something that would work for me.”
About five months into consistent treatment with consumer-grade devices, Teresa noticed her range of motion improving. The pain began to ease. For the first time in nearly two decades, she could envision a life without constant discomfort.
This experience led Teresa to open Roxanne’s Red Light Therapy in Topeka in September 2025. The clinic offers photobiomodulation — the technical term for red light therapy — using medical-grade equipment.
At the time, Teresa was working as an accountant, spending long hours seated at a desk. As her pain began to ease and her range of motion slowly returned, she realized she didn’t want to return to a life confined by pain.
“I want other people to have the opportunity to possibly be pain free and to improve their quality of life like I did,” she said.
Teresa studied the science of photobiomodulation, learning how to assess light therapy equipment, work with manufacturers and understand how different wavelengths, dosages and delivery methods affect the body.
She enrolled in energy medicine courses and learned how to customize treatments based on a client’s goals, age, hydration levels and whether pain is chronic or acute.
A BRIGHT IDEA
Teresa is a board-certified light therapist, a relatively new certification in the United States.
“This certification means I’ve been given the knowledge and training to apply light in a manner that clinical studies have shown positive results,” she said. “There’s more to it than just going and laying on a bed.”
The clinic uses medical-grade Class II equipment that allows for precise adjustments: wavelengths can be changed to control depth of penetration, brilliance can be adjusted for intensity, sessions can be timed carefully and light can be pulsed anywhere from 10 to 100 times per second. They’re also adding medical-grade soft pads that can be applied directly to the body for highly targeted treatments.
Different wavelengths penetrate to different depths. Blue light penetrates about two-tenths of an inch beneath the skin. Red light can reach approximately four-tenths of an inch, while near-infrared light can penetrate nearly four inches into the body — deep enough to affect muscles, joints and bone.
Teresa stays current by reading scientific and medical publications, participating in professional groups and continuing her education.
A SPECTRUM OF SERVICES
The clinic offers full-body red light therapy beds as well as multiple other modalities. It also features an infrared sauna with a full spectrum of red light wavelengths for detoxification, circulation and relaxation. A spa capsule combines light therapy with electromagnetic muscle stimulation (EMS), an option often used for clients rebuilding muscle after an injury.
Another offering is the infrared pod, which integrates infrared heat with chromatic therapy, negative-ion-charged oxygen, cell resonance therapy, vibration and a terahertz mattress made of jade and trace minerals.
Blue and yellow light therapies are offered for clients dealing with acne, eczema and psoriasis. Common treatment goals among clients include pain and inflammation reduction, post-injury or post-operative recovery, PTSD, seasonal depression, cognitive support and skin rejuvenation.
New clients begin with a consultation focused on understanding their goals and history. Teresa asks about injuries, previous treatments and whether the issue is chronic or acute.
Based on those answers, she recommends a treatment plan and helps clients schedule sessions. Hydration levels, age and even how much a person sweats are factored into dosage decisions. Because water acts as a conductor for light, sweat can influence how the body responds to treatment.
Some equipment can be operated independently by the client after guidance, while spot treatments involve closer, hands-on adjustments from an attendant.
The clinic is planning to add pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) combined with infrared light, EMS body sculpting with radiofrequency skin tightening, and soft red light therapy mats designed for conditions like neuropathy and back pain. The clinic is also reconfiguring stations to accommodate friends, small groups and private wellness events.
Teresa shares her own story with potential clients, noting that many clients are referred by doctors. Light therapy is cumulative, she said, and consistency matters. Benefits can include more energy, improved mood, mental clarity and sometimes even weight loss.
