Laser Therapy¹ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is laser therapy?

Laser therapy is the therapeutic application of laser light at low intensity.  It is widely practiced throughout Europe and Asia and has a thirty-five year history.  Over 4,000 studies and articles have been published. 

What can laser therapy treat?

Conditions in which promising results have been reported include:    

Acne · Allergic Purpura · Alopecia Areata · Arteriosclerosis/Atherosclerosis · Arthritis · Asthma · Back Pain · Carpal Tunnel Syndrome · Cerebral Palsy · Dental Applications · Diabetes · Fibromyalgia · Headaches/Migraine · Hearing Disorders · Herpes · Hypertension · Hyperlipidemia · Lymphedema · Maxillofacial Disorders · Meniere' s Disease · Nerve Regeneration · Neuralgia Neuropathy · Pain (Musculoskeletal, Myofascial, Nerve) · Pancreatobiliary Disease · Peyronie's Disease · Prostatitis · Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy · Respiratory Disorders (Asthma, Bronchitis, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis)  · Scars ·  Skin Disorders · Sports Injuries · Tendonitis · Tinnitus Wound Healing

To view studies, abstracts and articles regarding any of the above and more, click on our Laser Research Library. 

What are the effects of laser therapy?

Four effects of low intensity laser light reported in the scientific literature are:  

        1) Biostimulation/Tissue Regeneration
        2) Reduction of Inflammation
        3) Relief of Pain
        4) Antimicrobial²

To learn more about the physiological effects and other aspects of laser therapy, click on:

       Laser Articles by David Rindge
       Case Study - Alopecia Areata

Is there any risk?

In more than thirty-five years of research and clinical use, an adverse reaction has never been documented.  In contrast to surgical lasers which employ much powers and intensities, laser therapy is customarily administered using gentle, non-ionizing radiation below the threshold of thermal damage to tissue.  This may account for its excellent safety record. 

Will it hurt?

Most people feel no sensation whatsoever.  You may feel a slight warmth.  Occasionally, patients will report a transient increase in pain following laser therapy.  This is more likely in long-standing, chronic conditions within the first few sessions and will usually pass within 24 hours.  It is not an adverse reaction, and, in fact, it indicates that laser therapy is working.  Sensation should then normalize, and pain and function may then be significantly improved.

How many treatments will I need?

This depends upon the nature of your condition.  Eight to fifteen treatments may be required on average.  Our goal is to achieve the best results in the shortest period of time.

Who is qualified to practice laser therapy?

Just as with any therapy, one should seek out an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner.  Has the individual you are considering received laser therapy training/certification?   Is/are the device(s) being used appropriate for your condition?   To view David Rindge's qualifications and experience, please visit Who is David Rindge?

(1) Laser therapy is the most commonly used term for the therapeutic application of laser light at low intensity. Low level laser therapy (LLLT), low intensity laser therapy (LILT), low energy photon therapy (LEPT) and laser photobiostimulation are some of the other terms which have been used.

(2) Simunovic, Z. (2000) Lasers in Medicine and Dentistry Basic Science And Up-To-Date Clinical Application Of Low Energy-Level Laser Therapy LLLT, Zlatko Simunovic, M.D., F.M.H., Locarno, Switzerland/Rijeka, Croatia, pp 279-80.