Can Photobiomodulation Laser Therapy ‘Lighten’ Pain in Chronic Osteoarthritis? Facts and Opportunities

Abstract

Among the various non-pharmacological interventions shown to partially relieve joint pain, we elected to review the present 2025 photo or laser therapy data as applied to establishing its potential for alleviating pain in the aging musculoskeletal system. More specifically, we aimed to:
a) examine current 2025 related research on this topic, from the general standpoint of photo biomodulation or low-level laser applications as applied to preclinical or clinical osteoarthritis, the most common painful disease affecting older adults,
b) more specifically from laser application influences observed as regards various joint tissues and sites underpinning osteoarthritis pain,
c) how low-level laser affects pain. Results show consistent post-treatment pain associated improvements even in the face of verifiable osteoarthritis damage and destruction, but that the underlying mechanisms and optimal dosages for maximizing this effect are generally unclear. However, most researchers agree the topic warrants future study and will likely prove of high clinical significance.