← Finding Form

K-Laser Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain: What Does the Research Say?

Treatments & Technology

k laser for back pain

Therapeutic laser has been used for a number of years in the management of musculoskeletal conditions and continues to be an active area of research.

At The Form Practice, we use K-Laser, a form of high-intensity therapeutic laser, both as a stand-alone treatment and alongside osteopathy and sports therapy where appropriate.

But what does laser therapy actually do, and what does the research tell us about its potential role in managing pain?

How does therapeutic laser work?

K-Laser delivers specific wavelengths of light into the tissues being treated.

The interaction between light and biological tissue is known as photobiomodulation. Research has investigated how this process may influence cellular activity and its potential effects on pain and inflammation.

Unlike surgical lasers, therapeutic lasers aren’t used to cut or remove tissue.

A treatment session is non-invasive, and patients commonly experience a gentle warming sensation as the laser is moved across the treatment area.

What does the research say about laser therapy and pain?

Laser therapy has been studied for a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, including some forms of:

Research has reported beneficial effects for pain and function in some musculoskeletal conditions.

However, results vary between studies. There are also important differences in the type of laser, wavelength, power, treatment dose and number of sessions used.

For that reason, it’s better to consider laser therapy as one possible treatment option rather than a treatment that’s proven to work for every painful condition.

What about laser therapy for lower-back pain?

Lower-back pain is one of the areas in which therapeutic laser has been investigated.

Some research has reported improvements in pain and function following laser treatment, although back pain itself can have many different causes.

Someone with muscular lower-back pain may require a very different approach from someone experiencing pain associated with a disc problem, osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis.

An appropriate assessment is therefore important before deciding whether K-Laser should form part of treatment.

What is lumbar spinal stenosis?

One condition for which laser has been explored is lumbar spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis describes narrowing of the space within the spine, which can place pressure on the nerves. In the lower back this may produce symptoms including back pain, leg pain, numbness or weakness and difficulty walking or standing for prolonged periods.

Published case reports have described improvements following therapeutic laser treatment in individual patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

These reports are interesting, but it’s important to understand their limitations. A successful outcome in one patient doesn’t establish that the treatment will produce the same result in other people.

Larger, well-controlled clinical trials provide much stronger evidence than individual case reports.

Is K-Laser safe?

Therapeutic laser is non-invasive, but that doesn’t mean it is appropriate for everybody or every condition.

Before treatment, we will discuss your symptoms and relevant medical history and determine whether K-Laser is suitable.

Protective eyewear is worn by both the patient and practitioner while the laser is operating.

Treatment should always be delivered by somebody appropriately trained in the use of the equipment.

How do we use K-Laser at The Form Practice?

K-Laser can be used as a stand-alone treatment or incorporated alongside other treatments at The Form Practice.

Depending on the condition and individual assessment, this could include:

Our aim isn’t simply to apply laser wherever somebody experiences pain. We first consider the nature of the problem and whether K-Laser is an appropriate treatment option.

K-Laser therapy in Cambridge

At The Form Practice in Hardwick, Cambridge, we use K-Laser for a range of musculoskeletal problems. If you’re experiencing persistent muscle, joint or tendon pain and would like to know whether K-Laser might be appropriate, you can book an appointment or contact The Form Practice to discuss your symptoms.