Photobiomodulation for Joint Pain: How It Helps Knees, Shoulders, and More

Joint pain is one of the leading causes of disability—affecting people of all ages. Whether it stems from arthritis or injury, finding a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option is a top priority for many.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) offers a safe alternative to painkillers and surgery. By delivering targeted laser light into joints, PBMT helps relieve pain, and improve mobility in knees, shoulders, and more.

 

Here’s What You Really Need to Know

Photobiomodulation therapy reduces joint pain by stimulating the body’s natural cellular repair processes and temporarily improving circulation in tissues surrounding the joint. It is indicated for treating pain associated with conditions like arthritis and joint stiffness.

 

Common Causes of Joint Pain

Joint pain can result from:

• Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
• Injury or overuse
• Tendonitis

Traditional treatments like NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, or surgery come with side effects or downtime. PBMT, on the other hand, promotes pain relief without invasive intervention.

How PBMT Works for Joint Pain Relief

PBMT delivers red and near-infrared laser light into the tissues around the joint. In the case of LightForce® laser therapy, our lasers exclusively deliver near-infrared light. The light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by mitochondria in the cells, initiating a powerful cellular response.

PBMT for Joints:

• Increases ATP to fuel cellular repair
• Impacts the inflammatory pathways
• Improves temporary blood flow and oxygen delivery

This can result in pain relief and improved mobility.

 

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) can be applied to nearly any joint in the body. Its versatility makes it a go-to modality for supporting mobility, easing stiffness, and enhancing recovery—especially in frequently used or injury-prone areas.

 

Joint	PBMT Benefits
Knees¹	Support for arthritis-related pain, improved mobility
Shoulders2,3	Helps manage frozen shoulder and rotator cuff conditions
Ankles4	Aids in Achilles tendon support
Elbow5	Addresses pain associated with tennis elbow
Spine6	Helps relieve low back and neck pain
Any Joint	General arthritis, stiffness, or overuse support

 

How Long Until Your Patients Feel Relief?

Many patients report improvement within 3–6 sessions, especially for mild-to-moderate joint pain. Chronic or complex conditions may require ongoing treatments for optimal outcomes.

PBMT is often used alongside physical therapy and joint-strengthening programs.

 

PBMT vs Other Joint Pain Treatments

Treatment	Invasive?	Requires Medication?	Long-Term Benefits?
PBMT	No	No	Possible depending on patient and condition
Cortisone injections	Yes	Yes	Temporary
NSAIDs	No	Yes	Symptom relief only
Joint replacement	Yes	Yes (pre/post)	Yes, but with risk and downtime

 

Who Can Benefit Most from PBMT?

Photobiomodulation is ideal for:

• Arthritis sufferers seeking long-term relief
• Active adults with joint overuse or sports injuries
• Older adults seeking drug-free alternatives
• Younger patients looking to quickly return to activities of daily living

Why Choose LightForce® for Joint Therapy?

LightForce® therapy lasers provide powerful, deep-penetrating laser light to joints like knees and shoulders. Our systems allow providers to:

• Customize dose based on the size of the treatment area and condition
• Monitor treatment progress in real time
• Deliver consistent results 

Learn more about our photobiomodulation therapy for joint pain and why LightForce® is the brand trusted by healthcare professionals globally.

Sources:

1. Song HJ, Seo HJ, Kim D. Effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy in the management of patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2020;33(6):875-884. doi: 10.3233/BMR-191738. PMID: 32831189. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32831189/
2. de la Barra Ortiz HA, Parizotto N, Arias M, Liebano R. Effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of patients with frozen shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci. 2023;38(1):266. Published 2023 Nov 20. doi:10.1007/s10103-023-03901-3
3. Elsodany, A. M., Alayat, M. S. M., Ali, M. M. E., & Khaprani, H. M. (2018). Long-Term Effect of Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser in the Treatment of Patients with Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 36(9), 506–513. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2018.4476
4. Tumilty S, Mani R, Baxter GD. Photobiomodulation and eccentric exercise for Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2016;31(1):127-135. doi:10.1007/s10103-015-1840-4
5. Roberts DB, Kruse RJ, Stoll SF. The effectiveness of therapeutic class IV (10 W) laser treatment for epicondylitis. Lasers Surg Med. 2013 Jul;45(5):311-7. doi: 10.1002/lsm.22140. Epub 2013 Jun 3. PMID: 23733499. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23733499/
6. Alayat MS, Atya AM, Ali MM, Shosha TM. Long-term effect of high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized blinded placebo-controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2014 May;29(3):1065-73. doi: 10.1007/s10103-013-1472-5. Epub 2013 Nov 2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24178907/

 

Related Blog: What Your Patients Can Expect During Their First Photobiomodulation Treatment

 

Empower Your Patients to Reclaim Their Lives from Joint Pain

If your patients are tired of joint stiffness or limited movement, LightForce® PBMT offers a non-invasive way to help restore comfort and function.

Schedule your demonstration today and help get your patients back to doing what they love.