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How quickly will I feel a benefit?
Generally within 3-4 treatments you will start to feel benefit, though some patients do report feeling less pain after their first treatment. Whilst every persons condition is different (even in subtle ways) you will know within a few sessions if LLLT is going to benefit you – that is, it will not take months to see an effect.
Do I need a referral for this treatment and can I let my GP know what is happening?

As this treatment is given in general practice you do not need a referral from your GP.If you would like your general practitioner to know that you are having laser therapy, a letter will be written to her/him at the beginning of the course of treatment and she/he will be kept informed of your progress.

Will I have to stop all my medicines?
You may continue your pain medication during the treatment. As you respond to treatment, you may gradually reduce your pain medication from one treatment to the next. Prednisone may slow down your response to treatment but this often cannot be stopped.
How many treatments will I require?

An average course of treatment is between 6 to 8 treatments. Some patients will have fewer treatments and others more depending on the severity of the condition or how wide spread the pain is. Avoiding known factors that can make the pain worse and resting the area will help speed up the treatment.

The more quickly your pain improves the fewer the treatments needed and the greater the time between treatments.

What happens during the treatment?

You will sit or lie comfortably during treatment. The laser machine will not make a sound when it is on but will make a “beep” every second that it is switched off at the probe.

Tender areas around the site of pain are treated. These areas are found by examining the painful area during each treatment. The laser probe is applied to the skin over tender areas which are treated for approximately 30 seconds/point.

What does Low Level Laser Therapy actually do to me when applied?
Low–Level laser acts like a local anaesthetic which reduces the pain signals going to the brain. After a number of treatments the nerves in the affected area become less irritable and pain lessens. By blocking the pain over a period of time muscles in the affected area become more relaxed and tissues heal. As your pain is reduced you can become more active and natural healing progresses.
How long does a session take and how often do I need it?

The studies that Dr. Chow has undertaken suggest a dosage period longer than 20-30 minutes provides no additional benefit to the affected area. Of course the dosage duration depends upon the size of the area to be treated eg. a lower back will take longer to treat than a wrist.

Treatment is given 1-2 times a week initially (for 2-3 weeks) depending on the severity of the condition and the area needing treatment. The longer the pain has been present and the more severe the pain the more often treatment may need to be given.

Does LLLT hurt and are there any side-effects?

Most patients have no problems with the treatment. A small percentage of patients may feel tired, nauseated, or dizzy for a few hours following the treatment or may experience some worsening of pain for a day or so after the treatment. This usually passes without need for medication.

Before and after each treatment we ask you to drink a glass of water as this will help minimise side effects.

LLLT is non-invasive and does not hurt. As the name implies Low Level Laser Therapy involves the use of low strength lasers and LEDs (that is, low compared to surgical lasers etc). As such, the light being emitted produces no heat and most patients report little to no sensation during treatment.

In over 30 years of evidence-based research there have been not reported lasting side-effects from LLLT.

What is Low Level Laser Therapy aka ‘cold laser’ and what can it treat?

Low-level laser therapy or “cold laser” is the use of laser/light to reduce pain and promote tissue healing.

Given the above LLLT can be used to treat a wide variety of medical indications including:

  • Neck and back pain
  • Knee pain
  • Arthritic Pain
  • Tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Sciatica Pain
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Carpal Tunnel and RSI
  • Rotator Cuff injury
  • Lymphoedema
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraine
  • Leg, foot and joint pain
  • Neuralgia (including Trigeminal)
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