Laser therapy is a safe and effective treatment that uses light to reduce pain and inflammation. For millions suffering from arthritis, this approach offers a promising way to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. In this article, we’ll discuss how laser therapy works and its potential benefits for arthritis management.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis comes from the Greek word, ‘arthron’ which means joint. It refers to inflammation of the joints, which can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) and often causes pain and damage to the joints. There are over 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being the most common types. 

Arthritis can significantly impact daily life. It is a leading cause of limited mobility, disability, and chronic pain.¹ Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, reduced flexibility, and changes in joint shape. Although it is more common in older adults, it can affect people of all ages, impacting both men and women across all races and ethnicities.²

Treatment of arthritis

There is currently no cure for arthritis. However, there are different treatment methods depending on the root cause, the specific type of arthritis, and the joints affected. Some common treatment options can include:

• Medications: Healthcare providers may prescribe medications, such as Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like acetaminophen and corticosteroids
  People affected with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis may be prescribed Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
• Therapy: Physical or occupational therapy can help improve strength and flexibility, as well as help boost the patient’s confidence in movement
• Surgery: Surgery is usually considered only if nonsurgical treatments do not relieve symptoms

According to experts, chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than six months, which often requires ongoing treatment. Hence, finding effective, safe, and noninvasive therapies is essential for people with arthritis. Researchers are continuously exploring new options to reduce symptoms and improve functionality.³ 

What is laser therapy?

Laser therapy is a non-invasive medical treatment that uses a focused beam of light produced from a laser aimed at body tissues. It can be used for different treatments and can help reduce swelling, promote healing, and relieve pain.⁴

This therapy is particularly promising for skin and joints conditions, as these areas are easily accessible for treatment. Laser therapy has strong anti-inflammatory effects, which helps reduce inflammation while also supporting tissue regeneration and repair. Unlike traditional treatment modalities that rely on immunosuppressive drugs like corticosteroids with harmful side effects, laser therapy provides a safer, non-invasive, and affordable alternative.⁵

How does laser therapy work?

Laser therapy helps the body heal by triggering certain processes within cells. Even though the laser light is low in energy, it is absorbed by the cells, which stimulates the mitochondria (energy-producing cell organelle) to make more adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—providing energy for important cell functions like growth and protein production. As a result, the energised cells repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in the affected area.⁵

Proven benefits of laser therapy for arthritis

Laser therapy is an effective treatment for arthritis, as it provides several benefits, such as:²

• Reduction of inflammation: Laser therapy has been proven to block inflammatory agents, reducing swelling and pain. In animal models, laser therapy showed no inflammation compared to untreated groups that exhibited significant inflammation
• Improved healing and collagen production: Research on human cells showed that laser therapy helped boost collagen production, which speeds up tissue healing. Likewise, in animal studies, treated areas also showed better cartilage growth
• Pain relief and improved function: Clinical trials in patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed that laser therapy helped reduce the reliance on NSAIDs. Patients with osteoarthritis also reported up to 70% pain relief and better joint function
• Better outcomes alongside other therapies: Patients who received both aspirin and laser therapy experienced better results than those who were treated with aspirin alone. In some cases, combining different laser types produced results equal to or better than standard anti-inflammatory medications

In addition, studies have reported minimal side effects from laser therapy, making it a relatively safe option for treating arthritis.⁶

Different techniques

Laser therapy involves a few techniques to help reduce pain and promote healing. Each technique works together to improve healing, ease pain, and support recovery. Most sessions are painless, and patients may feel a soothing, warming sensation during treatment.

Some methods include:²

• Tissue saturation: A laser device is placed on the specific area of the body being treated, such as the neck or back. The laser stays in place for a set amount of time to make sure the right amount of energy is delivered to the tissues, which helps initiate the healing process
  Lymphatic and vascular stimulation: The laser source is moved in small circular motions over the treatment area. This motion helps boost circulation and stimulate the body’s lymphatic system, which assists in fluid drainage and helps reduce swelling
• Acupoint stimulation: The laser is applied to certain points on the body, ears, or hands, similar to acupuncture. This helps stimulate energy pathways, promoting overall wellness and pain relief throughout the body

How long does treatment last?

Laser therapy is non-invasive and generally pain-free, with most patients feeling little to no pain. 

After this initial round, a two to three-week rest period is often recommended before starting another course. Sessions generally begin with shorter durations and gradually increase to the full therapeutic dose, which helps lower the risk of triggering an inflammatory response.

Over the course of several sessions, patients can expect gradual symptom relief, with noticeable improvements after multiple treatments as the body continues to respond to the therapy. It is usually done three to five times per week over three to four weeks.²

What are the risks of laser therapy?

Although laser therapy is generally safe, there are some risks such as:⁷

• Temporary pain and swelling: Laser therapy can cause temporary pain, swelling, and erythema (redness) at the treatment site
• Delayed healing: Patients, especially those on medications like blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, aspirin), may experience delayed healing or increased bruising after laser therapy
• Risk of scarring: Abnormal scarring may occur, particularly in patients with a history of scarring or immunological conditions
• Pigment changes: Hypopigmentation (loss of skin color) or hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) can happen at the treatment site
• Infection: Although rare, infections can occur, typically if the skin is broken or damaged during treatment
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight: Post-treatment sensitivity to sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) exposure can lead to skin irritation or pigment changes

Who shouldn’t use laser therapy?

The North American Association for Laser Therapy provides the following guidelines:⁸

• Never point the laser beam towards eyes, as it can cause serious damage
• Avoid using laser therapy on areas where there is known cancer unless the patient is receiving chemotherapy. In some cases, low-level laser therapy can help reduce side effects like mouth sores (mucositis), improving the quality of life for patients receiving palliative care for terminal cancer
• Do not use laser therapy on the abdomen of a pregnant woman to ensure safety for both the mother and the baby
• Pulsed laser therapy is not recommended for those with photosensitive epilepsy, as the light may trigger a seizure

Summary

Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses light to reduce pain and inflammation. It's a promising alternative for people with arthritis, a condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints. Although there is no cure for arthritis, laser therapy can help by speeding up the healing process in cells, which can reduce inflammation and help repair tissues. Research shows it can relieve pain and improve joint movement with few side effects. However, it isn’t suitable for everyone, like pregnant women or people with certain medical conditions. Treatments are usually painless, and patients often see gradual improvements after several sessions. Overall, laser therapy is a safe and effective way to manage arthritis symptoms and improve quality of life.