Comparing LLLT with Other Pain Management Therapies: A Comprehensive Review

Chronic pain affects nearly 21% of adults in the United States, which is astounding given the vast number of pain treatments available. Opioids, physical therapy, and steroid injections are some of the most common pain management solutions, but for some, these interventions may cause side effects or may not work at all.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a relatively new option for pain management and can relieve chronic pain while producing no downtime, side effects, or complications. Here’s a closer look at how LLLT pain management compares with traditional pain management solutions and how to find a physician who offers this treatment.

What is Low-Level Laser Therapy Pain Management?

LLLT pain management is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-intensity laser energy to target areas of the body being affected by pain. The energy wavelengths used in LLLT can penetrate the skin, target damaged cells and tissues, and stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Reduced inflammation, increased blood flow, and accelerated tissue repair are some of the many benefits of laser therapy pain management.

LLLT vs Other Common Pain Management Solutions

Medications are usually a first-line treatment for chronic pain, but pain medications such as opioids and antidepressants can produce side effects like weight gain, dependency, and suicidal ideation that often outweigh the benefits of pain reduction. Other pain treatments, such as physical therapy, may work for a short time, but can fail to provide long-term relief or reduce the severity of symptoms enough to improve quality of life.

When comparing LLLT pain management with other common interventions, it’s easy to see how and why this new treatment is surging in popularity among patients and providers alike – especially for its safety and efficacy.

Medications

Of the more than 50 million U.S. adults living with chronic pain, 22.1% use prescription opioids for pain relief. Ideally, opioids should be used short-term for only a few weeks due to their high risk for physical dependency, addiction, and overdose.

In 2019 alone, opioids were involved in more than 70,600 overdose deaths. Another concern related to opioids is that long-term use may lead to a condition called opioid-induced hyperalgesia, in which pre-existing pain worsens and becomes significantly more enhanced or aggravated over time. Other medications commonly prescribed for chronic pain include antiseizure medications, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants – all of which come with long lists of side effects.

LLLT offers several benefits over medications to achieve safe, effective pain relief. LLLT poses no risk for dependence or overdose and produces no side effects. It may also be used long-term to treat pain, though some people may need only a few treatment sessions to experience results.

Steroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections are typically prescribed on a short-term basis (three months or less) to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Common side effects of corticosteroids include weight gain, blood sugar changes, and vision changes. When used long-term to treat chronic pain, corticosteroids can lead to additional chronic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, vision loss, and depression.

In a 2022 study published in the Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, researchers compared the effects of LLLT with steroid injections for the treatment of pain in plantar fasciitis. While both pain management solutions were shown to be effective at reducing pain, LLLT was found to be more effective at reducing pain and tenderness beyond three months.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is another non-invasive treatment for chronic pain that produces no side effects, though it may not work for all types of chronic pain. Physical therapy can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and restore mobility – all of which may contribute to reduced overall pain. However, this treatment may not be ideal for those who cannot commit to exercising regularly or who cannot master the proper form of each exercise.

Physical therapy may be most effective when combined with LLLT pain management, given how the procedures complement one another. LLLT promotes the repair of damaged cells and tissues and reduces inflammation, while physical therapy can help strengthen the body for a potentially faster recovery.

What are Other Benefits of LLLT?

Laser therapy pain management can treat several conditions, which makes it convenient for those who are living with two or more pain conditions, including arthritis, ligament sprains, and fibromyalgia. LLLT may also be used to help achieve weight loss and eradicate fungal growth on the feet and nails. Other benefits of LLLT for chronic pain include:

• Non-invasive. LLLT is delivered via a wand that is passed gently over the skin and requires no incisions, anesthesia, sedation, or scarring.
• Targets only damaged tissues. The light energy emitted with LLLT targets only damaged cells and tissues without harming nearby structures.
• Increases blood flow. LLLT promotes healthy blood flow and circulation, which aids in healing and recovery by supporting the transport of nutrients and oxygen to affected areas.
• Accelerates tissue repair. LLLT effectively speeds up the body’s healing process to reduce chronic pain sooner than many other therapies.
• Convenient and relaxing. Patients lie down and relax during LLLT treatment sessions while the laser wand is passed over the body – no exercise or strenuous activities are required.
• No downtime. LLLT does not produce downtime, drowsiness, or fatigue. Patients can return to their usual activities immediately after treatment sessions.

Pain affects each person differently, and non-invasive solutions like LLLT with the ability to produce positive results and no side effects could be the answer in cases where treatments like opioids are too risky or fall short of expectations. LLLT may be combined with other non-invasive pain management solutions such as physical therapy, meditation, and massage, or used on its own to reduce symptoms.

Patients living with chronic pain can ask their healthcare providers about their options for undergoing LLLT, or search for nearby physicians who offer this service at their healthcare practices.