Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain

Musculoskeletal discomfort affects 116 million Americans each year, costing $635 billion in medical expenditures, lost productivity, and time away from work or school. Modalities, immobilization, drugs, chiropractic care, physical therapy, behavioral management, injections, and/or surgery are now used to treat musculoskeletal pain. Peptic ulcers/gastric bleeding, systemic effects (cardiovascular, infections (including epidural abscess), narcotic dependency/addiction, deformities, neurologic impairments, and surgical problems are all related risks/side effect profiles with these routine therapy.

The natural history of chronic pain is one of increasing dysfunction, impairment and possible disability. With the predicted epidemic of chronic pain in developed countries, it is imperative to validate cost-effective and safe techniques for managing painful conditions which would allow people to live active and productive lives. The wider acceptance of low level laser therapy LLLT by more specialties around the world would allow for additional treatment options for patients. Such new cost-effective therapy for pain could elevate quality of life while reducing financial strains.

Low level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) and LED (light emitting diode) therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) have been demonstrated to decrease inflammation and edema, induce analgesia, and promote healing in a variety of musculoskeletal disorders for more than four decades.

There are three different types of pain; nociceptive, neuropathic and central. The current medical treatment of pain or analgesics is directed at various steps of the pain pathways. Clinically, low level laser therapy (LLLT) can treat nociceptive and neuropathic pain, while central pain has not yet been proven to be responsive to LLLT.

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) sometimes known as Low Level Light Therapy or Photo-biomodulation (PBM) is a low intensity light therapy. The effect is photochemical not thermal. The light triggers biochemical changes within cells and can be compared to the process of photosynthesis in plants, where the photons are absorbed by cellular photoreceptors and triggers chemical changes.

LLLT is the application of light (usually a low powered laser or LED typically in the power range of (10mW–500mW). Light with a wavelength in the red to near infrared region of the spectrum (660nm–905nm), is generally employed because these wavelengths have the ability to penetrate skin, and soft/hard tissues and are proven in clinical trials to have a good effect on pain, inflammation and tissue repair. The power density (irradiance) is usually between 5W/cm² and is applied to an injury or to a painful site for 30–60 seconds a few times a week for several weeks. The result is a reduction of inflammation, pain relief and accelerated tissue regeneration. In most cases the low laser / LEDs used for LLLT emit a divergent beam (not focused or collimated) because collimation is lost in tissue, but as a consequence ocular risks are also diminished over distance in divergent beam.

Indeed, low-level laser therapy has a wide range of therapeutic uses, including acute musculoskeletal injuries, chronic inflammatory diseases, and wound healing. To answer the rising demand for this innovative technology, we created the FDA LASER-1.4 Medical Physiotherapy Laser System. This FDA-approved Medical Physiotherapy Laser System satisfies all of the above-mentioned laser physiotherapy criteria, making it a very beneficial tool for a variety of musculoskeletal problems and wound healing.

Reference: The effect of low-level laser on postoperative pain after tibial fracture surgery: a double-blind controlled randomized clinical trial

This procedure is performed by an eligible physiotherapist.*

Disclaimer: Although the information we provide is used by different doctors and medical staff to perform their procedures and clinical applications, the information contained in this article is for consideration only. SIFLASER is not responsible neither for the misuse of the device nor for the wrong or random generalizability of the device in all clinical applications or procedures mentioned in our articles. Users must have the proper training and skills to perform the procedure with each Laser System.

The products mentioned in this article are only for sale to medical staff (doctors, nurses, certified practitioners, etc.) or to private users assisted by or under the supervision of a medical professional.