How Does It Work?
Low-level laser, also called photobiomodulation, delivers light at specific wavelengths and low power. It does not cut or heat tissue in the way a surgical laser does. Most treatments produce no sensation at all beyond the probe resting against the skin.
The proposed mechanism operates inside the cell. Light in the red and near-infrared range is absorbed by mitochondria, the structures that produce cellular energy, and this appears to increase energy availability, alter inflammatory signalling and support tissue repair.
Dose is the variable that decides whether it works. Wavelength, power, treatment time and distance from the skin all matter, and both under-dosing and over-dosing reduce the effect. This is a large part of why published trials disagree so much, and why parameters are recorded and repeated rather than improvised.
It is applied to a specific target, not waved over a region. Tendon insertions, joint lines and wound margins are treated point by point, typically for thirty seconds to a few minutes each.
Types/Variations We Offer
Red light around 660 nanometres: shallower penetration, used for superficial tissue and wound healing.
Near-infrared around 810 to 904 nanometres: deeper penetration, used for joints and deeper tendon problems.
Contact point application: probe held against the skin at set points, the most common clinical method.
Scanning application: probe moved over a larger area, used for broader inflammatory regions.
Conditions Treated
Advantages & Expected Benefits
Painless during application, with no heat and no sensation for most people
Targets stubborn tendon problems that have not settled with rest and stretching alone
No medication involved and no systemic side effects
Can be applied over dressings and near healing wounds
Fits easily alongside loading exercise in the same session
Suitable where anti-inflammatory medication is not tolerated or is contraindicated
Potential Risks & Short-term Side Effects
Eye injury if the beam is directed at or near the eye, which is why protective eyewear is worn by both parties
Occasional temporary increase in symptoms in the first day or two
Minimal risk otherwise at therapeutic doses, since the tissue is not heated
Contra-Indications / Precautions
This treatment may not be suitable for individuals with:
- •Direct application over or near the eye, under any circumstances
- •Over a known or suspected malignancy
- •Over the abdomen or lower back during pregnancy
- •Over the thyroid gland
- •Over an area of active bleeding or a recent haemorrhage
- •With caution in photosensitivity and in patients taking photosensitising medication, including some antibiotics and retinoids
What to Expect in a Session
Assessment: the exact tender points and the tissue involved are identified, since laser is applied point by point rather than broadly.
Safety: protective eyewear is worn by you and the therapist for the whole application, and medication is checked for photosensitising agents.
Dosing: wavelength, power and time per point are selected and recorded so the same dose can be repeated or adjusted deliberately.
Application: usually five to fifteen minutes total across the treated points, with no sensation expected.
Combination: laser is followed in the same visit by the loading exercise for the tendon, which is the part that produces structural change.
Evidence & Clinical Guidelines
Evidence for low-level laser is genuinely mixed. Some reviews report meaningful short-term reductions in pain for tendinopathy and neck pain, while others find no benefit over placebo.
A substantial part of that disagreement is attributed to dose. Trials using parameters within recommended ranges tend to report better outcomes than those outside them, which is why dose is recorded here rather than left to habit.
It is offered as an adjunct where a tendon problem has not responded to loading alone, and is discontinued if no change is apparent after a reasonable trial rather than continued indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I feel anything?
Usually nothing at all, perhaps a very mild warmth. Low-level laser does not heat tissue meaningfully. If you feel heat or discomfort, tell the therapist, because the dose or distance needs adjusting.
Is this the same as the laser used in surgery?
No. Surgical lasers are high-power and designed to cut or ablate tissue. This is low-power light intended to influence cell activity, and it does not damage tissue at therapeutic doses.
How many sessions will I need?
Typically a course of six to ten, two or three times a week, then a review. If there is no meaningful change by then, we stop rather than keep going, and reconsider the plan.
Does it actually work?
The honest answer is that the evidence is divided, and it works better for some conditions than others. It is used as an addition to loading exercise for stubborn tendon problems, not as a primary treatment, and we tell you if it is not helping.
Need More Information?
Our expert physiotherapists are here to answer any questions you may have about Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).
Medically Reviewed
This content was reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Surabhi Bansal, BPT, MPT (Ortho) with 14+ years of clinical experience.
At Modern Physio, all medical content undergoes a thorough review process to ensure accuracy and alignment with current physiotherapy standards. Our content is created to educate and should not replace professional medical advice. Learn more about our review process.