How does Low-Level Laser Therapy Work?

We were the first clinic in Lincolnshire to provide Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and are pleased to announce we have recently invested in new, state of the art devices to use as part of your treatment plan.

Molecules in our cells (muscle, ligament, nerve, cartilage, bone) absorb the energy from the laser and may use it to repair damaged cells. It also reduces inflammation which relieves pain (like an anti-inflammatory) and helps the healing process. The laser compliments our approach of improving body alignment and nerve function to allow healing by giving the cells more energy to repair themselves with.

Over 200 published clinical trials (RCTs) demonstrate LLLT is more effective and safer than anti-inflammatory medication for a range of muscle, joint and nerve conditions:

  • Neck and Back Pain
  • Osteoarthritis (spondylitis, spondylosis)
  • Tendonitis, acute or chronic
  • Sprains and Strains
  • Post-Operative Pain
  • Muscle fatigue
  • Muscle damage/tears
  • Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
  • Tissue Healing

Our new LLLT devices have FDA approval, more information can be found on their website

   

More Research and reviews

  • BMJ sports medicine journal, systematic review of surgical and conservative interventions for frozen shoulder found “strong evidence” for LLLT. (2010) Click here
  • The International Association for the Study of Pain (Global Task force on musculoskeletal pain) found “strong evidence” for Low Level Laser Therapy on myofascial pain syndrome. (2010) Click here
  • The BMJ clinical evidence recommendations for tennis elbow 2011 now include LLLT Click here
  • American Physical Therapy Association guidelines recommend LLLT for Achilles tendonitis. (2010) Click here
  • Lancet systematic review: “LLLT reduces pain immediately after treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain”. (2009) Click here
  • World Health Organisation (Bone and Joint Task Force) for neck pain Low Level Laser Therapy “more effective than no treatment, sham, or alternative interventions” (2008) Click here

Biphasic dose response in low level light theraph. Ying-Ying Huang, Aaron C.-H.
Chen, James D. Carroll, Michael R. Hamblin International Dose-Response Society, 2009 University of Massachusetts ISSN: 1559-3258Low-Level Laser Therapy in acute pain: a systematic review of possible mechanisms of action and clinical effects in randomized placebo-controlled trials. Bjordal JM, Johnson MI, Iversen V, Aimbire F, Lopes-Martins RA Photomed Laser Surg 2006 Apr 24(2) 158-68
Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. Roberta T Chow, Mark Johnson, Rodrigo A B Lopes-Martins, Jan M Bjordal. Lancet. 2009 Dec 5;374(9705):1897-908.
The effect of 300 mW, 830nm laser on chronic neck pain: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Chow RT, Heller GZ, Barnsley L. Pain.
2006 Sep;124(1-2):201-10. Epub 2006 Jun 27
Acute Low Back Pain with Radiculopathy: A Double-Blind,Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.Konstantinovic LM, Kanjuh ZM, Milovanovic AN, Cutovic MR, Djurovic AG, Savic VG, Dragin AS, Milovanovic ND. Photomed Laser Surg. 2010 Aug;28(4):553-60
Efficacy of low power laser therapy and exercise on pain and functions in chronic low back pain. Gur A, Karakoc M, Cevik R, Nas K, Sarac AJ, Karakoc M Lasers Surg Med 2003 32(3) 233-8
The clinical efficacy of low-power laser therapy on pain and function in cervical
osteoarthritis. Ozdemir F, Birtane M, Kokino S. Clin Rheumatol 2001 20(3) 181-4
Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Eccentric Exercises in the Treatment of
Recreational Athletes With Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy. Stergioulas A, Stergioula M, Aarskog R, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal. JM Am J Sports Med 2008 Feb 13
The International Association for the Study of Pain Global Task force on musculoskeletal pain, 2010
Low-Level Laser Therapy in acute pain: a systematic review of possible mechanisms of action and clinical effects in randomized placebo-controlled trials. Bjordal JM, Johnson MI, Iversen V, Aimbire F, Lopes-Martins RA Photomed Laser Surg 2006 Apr 24(2) 158-68
Low-level laser treatment can reduce edema in second degree ankle sprains. Stergioulas, A.J Clin Laser Med Surg 2004 Apr 22(2) 125-8
Can Low reactive-level laser therapy be used in the treatment of neurogenic facial pain? A double-blind, placebo controlled investigation of patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Arne Eckerdal and Lehmann Bastian. Laser Therapy, 1996: 8: 247-252
Frozen shoulder: the effectiveness of conservative and surgical interventions–systematic review. Favejee MM, Huisstede BM, Koes BW. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2011 Jan;45(1):49-56.
Effect of 655-nm low-level laser therapy on exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue in humans. Leal Junior EC, Lopes-Martins RA, Dalan F, Ferrari
M, Sbabo FM, Generosi RA, Baroni BM, Penna SC, Iversen VV, Bjordal JM Photomed Laser Surg 2008 Oct 26(5) 419-24
Effect Of Phototherapy On Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Douris P, Southard V, Ferrigi R, Grauer J, Katz D, Nascimento C, Podbielski P. Photomed Laser Surg. 2006 Jun;24(3):377-82.
The effect of infrared laser irradiation on the duration and severity of postoperative pain: a double blind trial Kevin C. Moore, Naru Hira, Ian J. Broome* and John A. Cruikshank Laser Therapy 1992 Vol 4; Number 4 , pg 145-150
Low-level laser therapy facilitates superficial wound healing in humans: a triple-blind, sham-controlled study Hopkins JT, McLoda TA, Seegmiller JG, David Baxter G Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. J Athl Train 2004 Sep 39(3) 223-229