Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), also known as cold laser therapy or photobiomodulation, is a non-invasive treatment used in osteopathy to support the body’s natural healing processes. It uses precise wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain, without the need for medication or surgery. In osteopathic care, LLLT is often combined with traditional manual therapy to accelerate recovery from muscle, joint, and soft tissue conditions.
Benefits of Low Level Laser Therapy
LLLT has been used worldwide for decades to assist in treating musculoskeletal pain and chronic inflammation. When integrated into osteopathic care, it offers several key advantages:
- Drug-free and non-invasive
- Safe, gentle, and pain-free
- Suitable for both acute and chronic injuries
- May reduce the need for medications or injections
- Promotes faster recovery after manual therapy
- Can be applied to precise areas of pain or dysfunction
Most patients experience a gradual reduction in pain and stiffness over several sessions as the tissues regenerate and inflammation subsides.
How Low Level Laser Therapy Works?
Low Level Laser Therapy uses specific red and near-infrared light wavelengths that penetrate the skin and reach targeted tissues beneath the surface. Unlike surgical or high-intensity lasers that generate heat, LLLT does not damage tissue, instead, it works at a cellular level to promote healing.
The light energy absorbed by cells stimulates the mitochondria (the “energy factories” of the cell) to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule responsible for cellular energy. This increase in ATP enhances cell regeneration, tissue repair, and the body’s ability to reduce inflammation.
Key physiological effects include:
- Enhanced cellular energy production, improving tissue repair.
- Reduced inflammation and swelling by improving blood and lymphatic circulation.
- Pain relief through modulation of nerve activity and endorphin release.
- Accelerated wound and tissue healing, particularly in tendons and ligaments.
- Improved flexibility and function of affected muscles and joints.
Conditions That May Benefit from LLLT in Osteopathy
Osteopaths may use low level laser therapy as part of a tailored treatment plan for a variety of musculoskeletal issues, including:
- Joint pain and arthritis
- Tendon and ligament injuries (e.g. tennis elbow, rotator cuff, Achilles tendinopathy)
- Neck and lower back pain
- Muscle strains and tears
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- TMJ (jaw) dysfunction
- Bursitis and soft tissue inflammation
- Post-injury recovery and scar tissue management
Each patient’s response may vary, depending on the severity and chronicity of their condition.
