What is Laser Therapy in Physiotherapy?

When it comes to laser treatment, most people think of laser eye surgery or laser hair removal. But have you heard about the laser used in physiotherapy treatments?
A survey found that Laser therapy is now available in about 60% of private physiotherapy clinics in the United Kingdom. This high percentage shows how effective this treatment is for the care of patients.
Laser therapy in physiotherapy is a safe and non-surgical method that many physiotherapists use to treat different skin and tissue problems. So you do not have to worry about invasive or surgical processes anymore.
But what is this therapy, and how does it work in physical therapy? In this blog, we will explore all these details along with the numerous benefits of physiolaser treatment.
Keep reading this article and get all the essential information you need!
What is Laser Therapy?
The word laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Basically, it is a light source used to improve the healing process in your body.
When the laser focuses on a specific area of the body, the light penetrates through the skin, and the tissues of that area abruptly absorb the light’s energy.
As a result, it triggers the biological response of metabolism that promotes healing in your body
Laser treatment does not require surgery or long periods of recovery. For this reason, it is an interesting option besides traditional surgery to relieve pain or promote the acceleration of new tissues.
Types of Physio Laser Therapies
Commonly, there are two types of laser treatment used in physical therapy: low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT).
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses low-intensity light that enters the tissues at a shallow depth. It is used to treat soft tissue injuries by reducing pain and inflammation. It produces no heat, so it is considered a gentle treatment.
High-level laser therapy (HILT) uses high-intensity light to penetrate deeply into the tissue. It treats complex injuries in muscles, tendons, and bones. Also, it helps to create a new collagen for tissue generation and is very effective for pain relief.
What Conditions Do Laser Therapy in Physiotherapy Treat?
You might be thinking about when to go for laser therapy. Some of the conditions in which this therapy can help you include:
- Sciatica
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)
- Hip or shoulder bursitis
- Low back disc degeneration
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Neuropathic pain
- Tendinitis
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip and ankle
- Tennis elbow
- Sinusitis
- Scar tissue
Treatment Procedure of Physio Laser Treatment

Laser treatment processes in physical therapy are easy and safe. Generally, they include the following steps:
- Basic Assessment: Physical therapists will assess your symptoms and condition first. They will discuss your medical history and decide whether the laser treatment is suitable for you or not.
- Laser Application: The doctor will apply the laser device to the affected area. Depending on the type of treatment (LLLT or HILT), the laser is fixed directly on the skin or kept slightly above it.
- Light Stimulation: During the treatment, you may feel a mild warmth or a slight tingling sensation. As the therapy is usually painless, doctors do not apply anesthesia or numbing cream.
- Follow -up Session: You may need a follow-up session depending on the severity of your symptoms and condition. Physical therapists will tell you about the required frequency of treatment.
Benefits of Laser Therapy Physiotherapy
- Rapid Healing of Wounds: As laser therapy accelerates tissue repair, your wounds and injuries heal faster.
- Reduces Pain: By stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, this therapy effectively reduces your body’s pain.
- Anti-inflammatory: Laser therapy also reduces inflammation and prevents swelling and stiffness in your affected body area.
- Promotes tissue healing: By increasing the production of collagen, laser therapy supports tissue regeneration and recovery.
- Safe and Reliable: When performed by trained professionals, laser therapy is a non-invasive and safe treatment with no side effects.
Choosing the Right Health Services
Always choose the best healthcare professionals to get the best results from laser therapy.
If you’re seeking alternative treatments for your unique health needs in the UK, we invite you to explore our range of personalized services at King West Chiropractic Health Centre:
- Chiropractic Care: To alleviate pain, enhance mobility, and support your overall spinal health.
- Massage Therapy: To reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation in your body.
- Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese medicine technique to address various health concerns by stimulating specific points in the body.
- Foot Orthotics: To correct foot imbalances, alleviate discomfort, and improve your posture.
- Naturopathy: To support your body’s inherent healing processes.
- Osteopathy: To treat a variety of conditions like musculoskeletal pain, soft injuries, postural problems, etc.
Conclusion
In short, laser therapy in physiotherapy is the best choice for treating inflammation and pain in the body. The doctor may choose a low or high-level laser treatment depending on the severity of your condition.
This treatment process takes only 15-20 minutes and is very easy. From wound healing to faster regeneration of tissues, it gives you a lot of benefits.
Therefore, if you are suffering from any kind of pain or injury, do not let it disturb your daily life anymore.
Choose a professional health center like King West Chiropractic Health Centre and receive the best laser treatment to restore your health!
FAQs
You will feel no pain during or after laser therapy. However, you might feel a tingling sensation that also vanishes soon.
If you are suffering from less painful conditions like mild muscle strain or sprained ankle, you will feel better within a few sessions. However, for chronic conditions like tendonitis or osteoarthritis, you may need to go for several sessions over multiple weeks to get complete relief.
Some of the effective tips to make your therapy effective include:
Apply heat/ice to the targeted area to help with pain.
Make sure you get good quality sleep and nutrition.
Do your prescribed home exercises and stretches.