How Lasers Help Back Pain

Low level Laser therapy also known as photobiomodulation used to treat back pain was discovered in 1967 by Endre Mester at the Semmelweis Medical University in Hungary. While it is used in many applications we will focus on low back pain and how it works. The lasers improve circulation, support cell health, release endorphins that fight pain, reduce inflammation, or encourage the growth of new, healthy tissue.
Recent studies indicate that photobiomodulation involves several more mechanisms of action. The laser emits photons, which are packets of energy. Water molecules are stimulated by the energy created by the photon absorption to enhances microcirculation allowing for greater production of nitric oxide. This will dilate the blood vessels and help bring nutrients to the localized treatment area.
Chronic lower back pain is almost always accompanied by inflammation. Laser therapy will reduce inflammation allowing the tissue to heal more efficiently and in faster time. Laser therapy for back pain will also suppress the conduction velocity of the nerve and decrease the amplitude that the nerve fires at. To put it in layman's terms this suppression will decrease the sensitivity of the nerve to produce pain relief. The low back patient will benefit nicely, especially in the early stages of care from increased production of endorphins. These are the body's own natural pain killers. They work by binding to the opioid receptors in your brain to block the perception of pain resulting in less pain.
So are there any downsides to using laser therapy for back pain? There are a few. The eyes must be shielded by both the doctor treating the low back and the patient. Another thing to be careful of is that you do not want to burn the patient. The laser must be moved constantly or a serious burn may occur. On a side note, I had a patient I was treating for neck pain and her hair started to smoke. Yikes, this was from too much hairspray. Luckily for me, the patient was not burned but it was a lesson to be learned.
Like many conditions, lower back pain can be helped with the use of photobiomodulation. The treatment only takes a few minutes and quite often the patient will feel immediate results. Most chiropractors and physical therapists are opting for laser therapy to get better and faster results for their patients. If you have a low back issue I suggest that you call the doctor or therapist office and see if they offer laser therapy before you make an appointment.