Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or Therapeutic Laser, has a wide range of applications for many musculoskeletal conditions and offers an effective non-invasive therapy for sports injury rehabilitation. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), also known as Photobiomodulation (PBM), is a non‑invasive therapy used to support recovery by promoting tissue repair, modulating inflammation and easing pain. We regularly integrate PBM with physiotherapy to help people move with comfort and confidence.

How does Laser therapy for sports injuries and tissue repair work?

PBM delivers specific red and near‑infrared wavelengths (typically 660–1,000nm) to injured tissues. At a cellular level this light is absorbed by mitochondrial chromophores, which can increase ATP availability, regulate oxidative stress, and up‑regulate pro‑healing signalling. Clinically, this may translate into reduced pain, less swelling, and faster functional recovery for many soft‑tissue injuries. Therapeutic Laser applied at the time of an acute injury, radically speeds up healing times, and in the case of chronic injuries, persistent pain is also resolved.

Laser Therapy for sports injury rehabilitation works at four fundamental levels:

1. Anti-inflammatory – Therapeutic Laser produces an anti-oedema effect. It promotes vasodilation and activates the lymphatic drainage system (draining the oedematous areas). Swelling caused by traumas and / or inflammation is reduced.
2. Analgesic – Therapeutic Laser positively affects pain receptors: it increases the pain threshold while reducing the transmission of pain stimuli to the brain. Pain is also reduced thanks to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oedema effect. Low Level Laser Therapy also triggers the production of endorphins.
3. Improved vascular activity – Therapeutic Laser also significantly increases the formation of new capillaries, thus accelerating the healing process of damaged tissue, quickly healing wounds and reducing the damaged area. Benefits for sports injury rehabilitation also include increased angiogenesis, which causes vessels dilate temporarily. The increased supply of blood in the damaged area facilitates the healing process and reduces pain.
4. Metabolic activity increase – Therapeutic Laser increases the production of specific enzymes for the transport of oxygen, also positively impacting on the repair and regeneration of damaged cells.

Our approach to using Laser Therapy for Sports Injuries

We tailor protocols to the injury type and stage (acute, sub‑acute, chronic):

• Acute care (48–72 hours): short, gentle PBM doses for analgesia and oedema control; no heat or rubbing.
• Sub‑acute: progressive dosing to stimulate tissue repair; introduce isometric and range‑of‑motion work as advised by your physio.
• Chronic/overuse: targeted PBM to tendon/enthesis and myofascial structures; combine with loading programmes(eccentrics/isometrics), mobility and motor control drills.

We use medical‑grade multi‑wavelength Class IV therapeutic lasers (K-Laser Cube 4) and Class 3 devices (Hue Light and Powermedic Gigalaser) for broader areas (quads, hamstrings, calf). Dosing is adjusted for depth (muscle vs tendon), skin tone and sensitivity. Treatments are comfortable, with no downtime.

Who can benefit from Photobiomodulation Therapy

The treatment is suitable for teenagers and adults. We regularly help with sports injury rehabilitation to include the following conditions:

• Shin splints/MTSS, plantar fasciitis, ITB‑related pain.
• Muscle strains (hamstring, calf, quadriceps).
• Tendinopathies (Achilles, patellar, gluteal, rotator cuff, lateral elbow).
• Ligament sprains (ankle, knee, wrist).

Courses of Laser Therapy treatments for sports injury rehabilitation

• Acute soft‑tissue: 3–6 sessions over 1–2 weeks.
• Tendon/overuse: 6–10 sessions over 3–5 weeks.
• Return‑to‑play: Maintenance/top‑up sessions as load increases or before key events.

Sessions typically last 30–45 minutes depending on area(s) treated.

Our Fees

Please refer to our Payment Terms for current pricing and package options.

Clinical Studies: Laser Therapy for Sports Injuries

Please refer to the following studies which prove the efficacy of PBM for sports injury rehabilitation, which collectively report reduced fatigue, faster strength recovery, and pain/function benefits in tendinopathy and muscle injuries.

• Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) improves performance and accelerates recovery in exercise‑induced muscle damage: randomised, placebo‑controlled trials in athletes
• Photobiomodulation therapy for the improvement of muscular performance and reduction of muscular fatigue associated with exercise in healthy people: a systematic review and meta-analysis
• Clinical effectiveness of low-level laser therapy as an adjunct to eccentric exercise for the treatment of Achilles’ tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial