Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is increasingly becoming a popular treatment for musculoskeletal disorders as it has no reported side effects. LLLT is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment method; popular due to its analgesic and healing properties. Several clinical studies have been carried out to estimate the effectiveness of Laser Therapy in treating joint problems, and most of them have shown positive results.
What is LLLT (Low-level Laser Therapy)
Also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), Laser Therapy is a photochemical treatment that triggers several beneficial biochemical reactions in cells. When light is absorbed by the mitochondria, several biological events activate that result in accelerated healing, pain relief, and tissue repair. Here is the simplified mechanism of Laser Therapy:
- LLLT can increase cellular oxidation by enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS)[1]
- It can induce human fibroblasts proliferation[2]
- Laser is considered to activate important signaling chemicals such as Nitric Oxide (NO) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)[3]
- Photobiomodulation can enhance collagen synthesis, which can aid in healing wounds[4]
Clinical Benefits of LLLT
Photobiomodulation is becoming a popular treatment method due to several reasons. More than 10,000 studies about photostimulation have been published so far on PubMed, the largest online resource for biomedical literature. Here are some of the benefits of LLLT:
- Non-invasive, non-pharmacological procedure
- Research-backed treatment with proven results
- No reported side effects during or after the treatment
- Can be used to treat all kinds of tissue damage
- Painless treatment
- Can be used by people of all ages
- Safe for animals
Although joint disorders can be managed with conventional treatments such as medications and surgery, these treatment methods pose risks of side effects and may not be effective. Analgesic drugs such as NSAIDs can be addictive and have potential side effects. Surgery is recommended in some cases, but that doesn’t always bring positive results. Research shows that Laser Therapy can be an effective alternative treatment.
Laser Therapy and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Photobiomodulation has been found to be effective in treating several symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, such as numbness and pain in the palm, fingers, wrist, and arm.[5] Although surgery is an option in severe cases, it often doesn’t produce satisfactory results and can take weeks to recover as well. LLLT reduces joint swelling and inflammation associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and can help reduce and even eliminate pain after continuous use.[6] Due to its rapid analgesic effects, patients have reported immediate pain relief after localized Laser Therapy.[7]
If surgery is inevitable, regular sessions of Laser Therapy can serve as an effective post-surgical treatment as it can speed up the process of tissue repair.[8] It can also prevent hypertrophic scar formation and accelerate tissue repair, especially when it comes to tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Overall, Laser Therapy’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties can also help aid in recovery.
Achilles Tendonitis
Laser Therapy can provide a good healing environment to help reduce inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness associated with Achilles Tendonitis.[9] Therapeutic lasers can be used alone or as an adjunct to physical therapy when treating this disorder. LLLT triggers several biological responses that are specifically beneficial in the treatment of Achilles Tendonitis.[10] These are fibroblast metabolism and collagen disposition. Several research trials have shown that photobiomodulation can reduce inflammation, a characteristic that is clinically beneficial for tendonitis.[11]
What Other Joint Problems can be Treated with Laser Therapy
One systematic review of Laser Therapy’s effectiveness in joint diseases reported that the right dosage can be highly effective for joint diseases.[12] Another systematic review of 22 studies concluded that Laser Therapy is a reliable pain relief treatment when the recommended dose window is followed.[13]
Laser Therapy is effective in treating both chronic and acute pain associated with joint disorders.[14] The efficacy of LLLT in treating joint-related problems is well-documented: It is effective in the treatment of sprains,[15] tendonitis,[16] [17] arthritis,[18] [19] frozen shoulder,[20] and neck and back pain[21] [22].
Laser Therapy is a safer, effective, and clinically proven treatment modality. It is now becoming a mainstream treatment method, and you would see laser devices in most institutes that offer chiropractic care.
Want to get your own FDA-cleared handheld laser device? Check out our collection of lasers. For more information, contact us, and we would be happy to help.
Citations
[1] Zhang J, Xing D, Gao X. Low-power laser irradiation activates Src tyrosine kinase through reactive oxygen species-mediated signaling pathway. J Cell Physiol. 2008 Nov;217(2):518-28. doi: 10.1002/jcp.21529. PMID: 18615581.
[2] Alexandratou E, Yova D, Handris P, Kletsas D, Loukas S. Human fibroblast alterations induced by low power laser irradiation at the single cell level using confocal microscopy. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2002 Aug;1(8):547-52. doi: 10.1039/b110213n. PMID: 12659495.
[3] Chung H, Dai T, Sharma SK, Huang YY, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy. Ann Biomed Eng. 2012 Feb;40(2):516-33. doi: 10.1007/s10439-011-0454-7. Epub 2011 Nov 2. PMID: 22045511; PMCID: PMC3288797.
[4] Usumez A, Cengiz B, Oztuzcu S, Demir T, Aras MH, Gutknecht N. Effects of laser irradiation at different wavelengths (660, 810, 980, and 1,064 nm) on mucositis in an animal model of wound healing. Lasers Med Sci. 2014 Nov;29(6):1807-13. doi: 10.1007/s10103-013-1336-z. Epub 2013 May 1. PMID: 23636299.
[5] Fusakul Y, Aranyavalai T, Saensri P, Thiengwittayaporn S. Low-level laser therapy with a wrist splint to treat carpal tunnel syndrome: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2014 May;29(3):1279-87. doi: 10.1007/s10103-014-1527-2. Epub 2014 Jan 30. PMID: 24477392.
[6] Simunovic Z, Trobonjaca T, Trobonjaca Z. Treatment of medial and lateral epicondylitis–tennis and golfer’s elbow–with low level laser therapy: a multicenter double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on 324 patients. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 1998 Jun;16(3):145-51. doi: 10.1089/clm.1998.16.145. PMID: 9743652.
[7] Li ZJ, Wang Y, Zhang HF, Ma XL, Tian P, Huang Y. Effectiveness of low-level laser on carpal tunnel syndrome: A meta-analysis of previously reported randomized trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Aug;95(31):e4424. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004424. PMID: 27495063; PMCID: PMC4979817.
[8] Herascu N, Velciu B, Calin M, Savastru D, Talianu C. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) efficacy in post-operative wounds. Photomed Laser Surg. 2005 Feb;23(1):70-3. doi: 10.1089/pho.2005.23.70. PMID: 15782037.
[9] Tumilty S, Munn J, Abbott JH, McDonough S, Hurley DA, Baxter GD. Laser therapy in the treatment of achilles tendinopathy: a pilot study. Photomed Laser Surg. 2008 Feb;26(1):25-30. doi: 10.1089/pho.2007.2126. PMID: 18248158.
[10] Bjordal JM, Lopes-Martins RA, Iversen VV. A randomised, placebo controlled trial of low level laser therapy for activated Achilles tendinitis with microdialysis measurement of peritendinous prostaglandin E2 concentrations. Br J Sports Med. 2006 Jan;40(1):76-80; discussion 76-80. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2005.020842. PMID: 16371497; PMCID: PMC2491942.
[11] Yu W, Naim JO, Lanzafame RJ. Effects of photostimulation on wound healing in diabetic mice. Lasers Surg Med. 1997;20(1):56-63. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1997)20:1<56::aid-lsm9>3.0.co;2-y. PMID: 9041509.
[12] Bjordal JM, Couppé C, Chow RT, Tunér J, Ljunggren EA. A systematic review of low level laser therapy with location-specific doses for pain from chronic joint disorders. Aust J Physiother. 2003;49(2):107-16. doi: 10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60127-6. PMID: 12775206.
[13] Jang H, Lee H. Meta-analysis of pain relief effects by laser irradiation on joint areas. Photomed Laser Surg. 2012 Aug;30(8):405-17. doi: 10.1089/pho.2012.3240. Epub 2012 Jun 29. PMID: 22747309; PMCID: PMC3412059.
[14] Kingsley JD, Demchak T, Mathis R. Low-level laser therapy as a treatment for chronic pain. Front Physiol. 2014 Aug 19;5:306. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00306. PMID: 25191273; PMCID: PMC4137223.
[15] Sharma SK, Kharkwal GB, Sajo M, Huang YY, De Taboada L, McCarthy T, Hamblin MR. Dose response effects of 810 nm laser light on mouse primary cortical neurons. Lasers Surg Med. 2011 Sep;43(8):851-9. doi: 10.1002/lsm.21100. PMID: 21956634; PMCID: PMC3199299.
[16] Lopes-Martins RA. Tendinitis, an open avenue for low-level laser therapy. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014 Jul;32(7):369-70. doi: 10.1089/pho.2014.9859. PMID: 24992270.
[17] Marcos RL, Arnold G, Magnenet V, Rahouadj R, Magdalou J, Lopes-Martins RÁ. Biomechanical and biochemical protective effect of low-level laser therapy for Achilles tendinitis. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2014 Jan;29:272-85. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.08.028. Epub 2013 Sep 9. PMID: 24126100.
[18] Hamblin MR. Can osteoarthritis be treated with light? Arthritis Res Ther. 2013 Oct 29;15(5):120. doi: 10.1186/ar4354. PMID: 24286607; PMCID: PMC3978432.
[19] Kheshie AR, Alayat MS, Ali MM. High-intensity versus low-level laser therapy in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2014 Jul;29(4):1371-6. doi: 10.1007/s10103-014-1529-0. Epub 2014 Feb 1. PMID: 24487957.
[20] Stergioulas A. Low-power laser treatment in patients with frozen shoulder: preliminary results. Photomed Laser Surg. 2008 Apr;26(2):99-105. doi: 10.1089/pho.2007.2138. PMID: 18341417.
[21] Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM. 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. Lancet. 2009 Dec 5;374(9705):1897-908. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61522-1. Epub 2009 Nov 13. Erratum in: Lancet. 2010 Mar 13;375(9718):894. PMID: 19913903.
[22] Ay S, Doğan SK, Evcik D. Is low-level laser therapy effective in acute or chronic low back pain? Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Aug;29(8):905-10. doi: 10.1007/s10067-010-1460-0. Epub 2010 Apr 23. Erratum in: Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Aug;29(8):911. PMID: 20414695.
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