Laser therapy — indications and contraindications

Laser therapy is a treatment in which light from a low-level laser, usually red or near-infrared (approx. 600–1000 nm), acts on the tissues without noticeably heating them. It is used as a supporting treatment for joint, tendon and spinal pain and to aid healing. Research results are mixed and depend on the dose. The beam must never be pointed at the eyes. In Rydułtowy, point laser treatment costs PLN 20.

Below we explain how a laser works, what it is used for and what the research says, who cannot have the treatment, what it feels like and how it is combined with other methods.

How does laser therapy work?

A laser emits light of a single wavelength that penetrates the tissues to a depth of a few millimetres to a few centimetres. It is assumed that the light energy absorbed by cells stimulates their metabolism, which may reduce pain and inflammation and support healing. This is called biostimulation or photobiomodulation. Low-level lasers do not noticeably heat the tissues.

The effect depends on the energy dose, the wavelength and the area treated – a dose that is too low or too high may not work. A point laser is applied directly to the skin over the painful spot or at several points around it.

What does laser therapy help with and what does the research say?

Laser therapy is used as a supporting treatment for neck and lower back pain, osteoarthritis, tendon overload (e.g. tennis elbow), shoulder pain, the healing of wounds and ulcers, and scars. The best-documented effect is a short-term reduction in neck pain. For other indications research results are inconclusive, and the effect depends strongly on the dose used.

A meta-analysis by Chow et al. in “The Lancet” (2009) showed reduced chronic neck pain compared with placebo, and a review by Clijsen et al. (2017) found benefits for some musculoskeletal conditions. At the same time, many studies were small. That is why we treat the laser as an addition to exercise and manual therapy, not as a stand-alone treatment. Examples of conditions are described in our guide to joint pain and injuries.

Who should not have laser therapy?

Laser therapy is not used near the eyes, over cancerous lesions or in active cancer, over the abdomen during pregnancy, over the thyroid, when taking medicines that increase sensitivity to light, with fever or an acute infection, with bleeding in the treatment area, or over suspicious moles. Caution is needed with, among others, epilepsy, growing children and tattoos in the treatment area.

Full list of contraindications:

• the eye area – absolutely; the patient and the physiotherapist wear protective glasses;
• cancer, especially in the treatment area, and new or changing skin moles;
• pregnancy – no treatment of the abdomen or the lumbosacral area;
• the thyroid area, especially with thyroid disease;
• medicines and herbs that increase sensitivity to light (e.g. some antibiotics, retinoids, St John’s wort), light sensitivity;
• fever, acute infections, active tuberculosis;
• bleeding or a tendency to bleed in the treatment area;
• epilepsy – especially with pulsed lasers; decision after a consultation;
• growth plates in children and teenagers – with caution;
• tattoos and dark discolouration in the treatment area – greater light absorption.

An overview of contraindications for other treatments can be found in our article contraindications to physical therapy modalities.

What does laser treatment feel like?

During low-level laser therapy you usually feel nothing, or only a gentle warmth and the touch of the probe. The treatment is painless. The patient and the physiotherapist put on protective glasses, and the treatment area must be uncovered and clean, without ointments or creams. You can go back to your normal activities straight after the treatment. The physiotherapist chooses the time and dose individually.

Before the treatment, tell the physiotherapist about all the medicines and supplements you take, as some of them make the skin more sensitive to light.

Can laser therapy be combined with other treatments?

Yes, laser therapy is often combined with exercise, manual therapy and other physical therapy modalities, e.g. magnetic field therapy or ultrasound. At the “W zdrowym ciele” clinic in Rydułtowy, point laser treatment costs PLN 20 and manual therapy PLN 180. The physiotherapist decides on the set and number of treatments individually after a consultation, which costs PLN 180.

Prices valid from 08.2026. Another commonly used physical therapy modality is described in our article magnetic field therapy – what it helps with.

Summary

Low-level laser therapy uses red and near-infrared light as a supporting treatment to reduce pain and aid healing, although the evidence beyond neck pain is mixed. The treatment is painless, costs PLN 20 and requires contraindications to be ruled out, including exposure of the eyes, cancer and medicines that increase sensitivity to light.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Chow R.T. et al., Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials, The Lancet, 2009.
• Clijsen R. et al., Effects of low-level laser therapy on pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis, European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 2017.
• World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (WALT), Recommended treatment doses for low level laser therapy.