How Does Low-Level Laser Therapy Work?

The use of low-level laser therapy for treating chronic pain, reducing inflammation levels, and promoting healing in the deeper soft tissues has been going on for over forty years. Unlike other forms of laser therapy, LLLT doesn’t have a thermal mechanism of action but rather a photochemical effect, meaning the light causes a molecular change in the soft tissue when absorbed. LLLT is defined as low-level because the optimum energy levels required for relief in chronic pain, migraines and temporomandibular joint dysfunctions are comparably low compared to other forms of laser therapy. 

While having multiple mechanisms of action in relieving pain, such as its biological influence on Cytochrome C Oxidase, the initial impact of light therapy is primarily on the mitochondria within the cells, leading to an increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, induction of transcription factors and modulation of reactive oxygen species. This leads to both an increase in cell proliferation and migration. In layman’s terms, the mitochondria are a cell’s powerhouse, and ATP is like a lithium in a battery. . Low-level laser therapy on damaged soft tissue causes a metabolic boost in healing factors. It works similarly to a cortisone shot without all the nasty side effects that come with it. This promotes wound healing in the deeper tissues in a safe manner.  

The traditional medical explanation for headaches like migraines is that they are caused by changes in blood flow to the brain, which is most definitely a feature of migraines and possibly tension headaches. Interestingly, migraines may coincide with changes and blood flow rather than being genuinely caused by changes and blood flow. It is also possible that the changes in blood flow to the brain could be triggered by neck issues and may relate to similar connections to those that Mr Bogduk has discovered in his research.You have managed to read this somewhat dense blog to this point, well done! But you probably didn’t come here to read about nerdy neuroanatomy. Most likely, you have come here to have a question answered. Could my headaches/migraines/cluster headaches come from my neck? And the answer is a most definite and resounding YES! In addition, wondering whether a problem causes headaches in your neck, you may be wondering whether there’s anything that can be done. The answer to that question is also a resounding YES!

In the pain management trenches where I live, work and obsess, we find that most headache/migraine sufferers have a significant number of deep knots in the muscles at the top of the neck. They also have stiffness, locking and inflammation of the small weight-bearing joints and the top of their neck. Many also have a limited range of motion in their spinal joints. We find that many of these people experience a reduction and elimination of their headaches once these issues are addressed. For the few who find that these releases don’t work over time, most still get excellent results by reducing stress and improving their lifestyle, making life kinder to their necks.