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Knee Pain

Approximately 15 to 20 per cent of the population has knee pain affecting more women than men. There are a number of causes, which can often make diagnosis difficult without imaging. But some presentations of knee pain are easily identified on clinical examination. The most common causes of knee pain are meniscus tears and osteoarthritis within the knee joint.

It is no wonder we experience knee pain. The knee comprises the largest joint in the body, and when walking up or down stairs, the pressure is three to four times your body weight. When running, the force transmitted through your knees can be up to eight times your body weight.

We know that physical activity is good for your knees as it promotes circulation within the fluid of the knee joint and strengthens the muscles and ligaments around the joint. However, if you have persistent knee pain, you know that exercise is the last thing you feel like doing. Knee pain can be completely debilitating and affect our capacity to work or just live a normal life.

Knee Pain & Cold Laser Therapy

An emerging concept for the management of acute and chronic knee pain is the use of cold laser therapy or low-level laser therapy (LLLT).

Some benefits of cold laser therapy include: 

  • Improved blood circulation
  • Analgesic effect almost immediately
  • Reduced inflammation
  • Stimulates healing of damaged tissue at the cellular level, including cartilage
  • Increased space in the joint by up to 2 millimetres over a period of eight weeks
  • Decreased muscle spasm in the joint
  • Improved active and passive range of movement
What is cold laser therapy?

Cold laser therapy is a form of light energy that uses low levels of energy or photons to penetrate deep into painful and inflamed tissues. The energy leads to chemical changes within the injured cells and allows them to repair and recover. This can also bring analgesic effects, which can be seen immediately after the laser hits the tissues.

How does cold laser help with knee pain?

Cold laser will bring immediate pain relief in the knee. Within 12 hours there is a reduction of swelling and inflammation. Following a course of treatments, cold laser therapy has been proven to increase the joint space of the knee by up to two millimetres.

A study 2017 study on radiological and biochemical effects of low-level laser therapy in chronic arthritis demonstrated the analgesic and biochemical effects of cold laser in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis. The objective of the study was to compare an active laser group with a placebo laser group over a four-week period in conjunction with an exercise program and the use of kineso taping of the knee. The results were conclusive. After four to eight weeks, the active laser group showed a significant difference in the measurements of the knee joint space. There was also an improvement in the measurement of overall cartilage thickness through the biochemical changes stimulated by the cold laser.

How much does it cost?

If your health fund covers chiropractic, you may have coverage for cold laser therapy. If you have an Enhanced Primary Care Plan, you may be referred for cold laser therapy with a Chiropractor via Medicare for up to five treatments. Ask your GP about a referral to a Right at Home Allied Health Chiropractor today!  

How many treatments would I need?

There is a standard rule in cold laser for the acute phase called the decade rule. This means you would need one treatment per ten years of life to reach what we call the ‘loading dose’. This is the point where you will have complete pain relief. Once this point is reached, the dose of the laser is lowered and we begin the healing phase of treatment. Depending on your complaint, this could take anywhere from four to twenty treatments.

Will I need to keep coming for laser?

If you have a chronic knee complaint, it is likely that you would need top-up or follow-up laser treatments every month. This is to ensure the tissue healing continues and your pain is kept under control. For new and acute knee complaints, you most likely won’t require any further laser treatments once you have completed your initial course.

How do I book an appointment?

If you would like to chat about cold laser therapy, we offer complimentary Discovery Sessions with one of our allied health professionals.  

Right at Home Allied Health is dedicated to delivering quality, patient-centred care across Australia. Our allied health services comprise chiropractic, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathy, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, and speech pathology. We also provide remedial massage therapy, clinical nutrition, clinical naturopathy, and Pilates. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those we serve by decoding health, happiness, and harmony. Discover, heal, and optimise your physical and emotional wellbeing with Right at Home Allied Health. Book a Discovery Session at your local clinic today. 

*Some services may not be available in all locations. Please contact your local office to learn more about their in-clinic and at-home allied health and wellbeing services.