Pain relief is one of the most rigorously tested applications of photobiomodulation. The strongest evidence comes from systematic reviews that pool randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
Neck pain
A 2009 meta-analysis in The Lancet pooled 16 randomized controlled trials with 820 patients. Low-level laser therapy reduced pain immediately after treatment in acute neck pain and for up to 22 weeks after treatment ended in chronic neck pain. Across 11 trials, pain intensity dropped by about 20 mm on a 100 mm scale, and side-effects were mild and no different from placebo.[1]
Knee osteoarthritis
A 2019 BMJ Open meta-analysis of 22 placebo-controlled trials (1,063 participants) found that LLLT significantly reduced pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis. The benefit was greatest when trials used recommended doses — 4-8 J per treatment spot at 785-860 nm, or 1-3 J at 904 nm — and no adverse events were reported. The authors noted LLLT was not yet recommended in major osteoarthritis guidelines.[2]
Nerve pain
The 2025 dermatology consensus lists peripheral neuropathy and pain attributed to diabetic foot ulcers among conditions for which PBM is an effective treatment option.[3]
The fine print
Most pain trials used clinical lasers applied to precise points at defined doses. Home panels and wraps deliver light differently, so it's worth discussing persistent pain with a physician or physiotherapist, who can diagnose the cause and advise on whether light therapy fits your plan.
References
- Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA et al. (2009). 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. Lancet. PubMed 19913903
- Stausholm MB, Naterstad IF, Joensen J et al. (2019). Efficacy of low-level laser therapy on pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials. BMJ Open. PubMed 31662383 · Free full text
- Maghfour J, Mineroff J, Ozog DM et al. (2025). Evidence-based consensus on the clinical application of photobiomodulation. J Am Acad Dermatol. PubMed 40253006
