Low Level Laser Therapy: Everything You Should Know

Low level light therapy (LLLT) uses red and near infrared light (NIR) to reduce pain to sufferers of musculoskeletal conditions. It’s proving to be more useful than once thought as well, as it’s been trialed as a remedy for several other ailments too.

What are musculoskeletal conditions? This term can be used to encompass conditions that impact muscle, bone and joints. With an estimated 1.7 billion people suffering from musculoskeletal conditions, it’s about time we explored low level laser therapy as a potential solution.

Not only can LLLT relieve pain, it also improves the functioning of targeted cells, leaving you in even better condition than you were prior to strain or injury.

You may have heard of “photobiomodulation” or “cold laser therapy”. These phrases are also used to refer to low level laser therapy.

In short, low level laser therapy stimulates cell activity and increases blood flow. The cells in our body do have the ability to heal themselves but this takes time and energy. By stimulating the cells with a special kind of laser, they are encouraged to work (and undertake the healing process) at a quicker rate.

Just like a hot drink encourages many to get out of bed in the morning, low level light therapy encourages cells to heal any damage and speed up the recovery process. This is great for speeding up and supporting cell renewal for injuries, strain, and chronic pain.

Acting as a catalyst to your body’s pre-existing regenerative processes, low level laser therapy lends itself to several other issues too, from treating hair loss to quitting smoking:

• In weaker hair cells, it encourage growth
• In smokers, it stimulates endorphin levels to help reduce the body’s usual symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal
• There are also ongoing tests of LLLT in sufferers of tuberculosis.

Of course, other factors also aid our cells in self-healing, including eating healthily, staying active and getting enough sleep, so LLLT should be incorporated into a bigger strategy for repair and recovery.

A ‘low level laser’ describes the strength of light energy used. In order to be referred to as “LLLT”, a laser’s output must be under 0.5 Watts of energy.

This energy is then directed at the target area, where it penetrates up to -3cm deep into soft body tissue. The cells in this area are stimulated by the cold laser’s energy, aiding cellular function and reducing inflammation.

Most household blenders use roughly 500-750 Watts of electricity (depending on the make and model). If you can imagine blitzing your favorite smoothie using a 1000th of the same energy, that should give you a rough idea of the kind of energy a low level laser operates with. Low level lasers are not just limited to one wavelength of light though. In school and everyday life, you’ll have heard about radio waves, microwaves and x-rays.  

There are no known side effects of low level laser therapy and, if used correctly, LLLT can be a great alternative or complementary treatment to medication or surgery.

Cold laser therapy (as it is sometimes called) can also be a great alternative to acupuncture, which, although generally safe, can create a sense of nervousness or anxiety for those new to it and anyone uncomfortable around needles.

However, users of LLLT should make sure to read all guidance and instructions before they begin treatment. This includes understanding areas that should be avoided with LLLT, including:

• Eyes - as this is a delicate area of skin and body tissue
• Tattooed areas - as the light energy can interact with tattoo ink

If you are on any medication (topical or oral), you should consult a medical professional before and during any LLLT that you plan to undertake. In particular, anyone taking light-sensitive medication should proceed with caution.

LLLT can be accessed in a couple of different ways…

The technology around laser therapy is now so advanced there is a range of at-home devices available to purchase and operate on yourself, by yourself. For some people, this is a great way of taking their treatment on-the-go with them and tailoring its use to their lifestyle and pain needs.

For others, access via a specialized clinic is preferred. It takes away any worry of operating a device on their own and allows for a more passive approach towards recovery. However, with that reassurance and provision comes a higher cost in both time and money.

Many people can feel a difference after just one session of treatment. However, for full results and a stable rehabilitation period, a full course of treatment is strongly recommended.

For best results, professionals advise 2-3 sessions of up to 15 mins per week for up to 1 month.

P.S. Customers of our MOVE+ Pro light therapy device (from Kineon) have reported an 80% reduction in pain within 1-4 weeks. We always recommend consistent use of the device. Using light therapy for 5-15 minutes per day regularly is much better than a random 30 minute session every few months.

When applied correctly, low level laser therapy treatment is painless.

Unlike some other forms of light therapy, you sometimes won’t even feel the treatment at surface level because it doesn’t create any vibrations. If you are feeling any discomfort, reach out to the brand or relevant people.

Treatments in a clinic range from roughly $200-$500 per therapy session (depending on provider, location, etc.).

For hair loss, the treatment price can sometimes be lower, as the laser is used on skin surface level and doesn’t have to penetrate as far as for deeper bone or muscle pain.

That being said, there are at-home options available, which lower the cost and adapt treatment programmes to suit the user.

The cost of the device is the only payment and you can ease your pain in the comfort of your own home.