Laser Therapy for Chronic Pain
For people living with chronic pain, tendinopathies or soft tissue injuries, recovery can feel painfully slow. Traditional physiotherapy treatments such as manual therapy, exercise, massage, and dry needling can all help. But some conditions can be persistent.
Over the past decade, a new technology has emerged that has changed the way that clinicians treat stubborn pain, High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT). At ReWin Therapy, we utilize one of the most advanced lasers in the world, the Lightforce XLi. It’s a 40-watt Class IV therapy laser, which is designed to accelerate healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.
Whilst laser therapy may sound futuristic, the results are backed by strong clinical evidence, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools in treating persistent pain.
Laser therapy works using a process called photobiomodulation (PBM), which is the use of specific light wavelengths to stimulate cellular repair in damaged tissues. Unlike low-level ‘cold’ lasers, HILT devices deliver high amounts of energy in short timeframes, allowing deeper penetration into the tissues. PBM works by:
These mechanisms are important for tendinopathies as tissue metabolism is slowed. This leads to reduced blood flow and impaired healing.
Most lasers deliver between 1-10 watts. The Lightforce XLi can deliver up to 40 watts of continuous power. This makes it one of the most powerful lasers on the market. This means:
The XLi uses two clinically proven wavelengths. 810nm and 980nm.
This dual wavelength system is effective at treating multiple conditions such as plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis, Achilles tendinopathy and rotator cuff tendinopathy.
Laser therapy is most effective at treating conditions involving chronic inflammation or tissue degeneration, such as:
These conditions are slow to heal due to impaired blood flow or ongoing inflammation, which is where photobiomodulation can be useful.
A 2023 systematic review of 48 randomised controlled trials demonstrates that HILT:
Additionally, clinical trials have shown that laser therapy is effective for patients with Achilles and rotator cuff tendinopathies when it’s used in combination with exercise-based rehabilitation.
Whilst the Lightforce XLi is a very powerful tool, the best outcomes occur when it’s combined with active rehabilitation and lifestyle changes.
Laser therapy helps to accelerate tissue repair and healing. However, exercise is what restores tendon load, strength, and mobility levels. At ReWin Therapy, every treatment plan will include.
This approach ensures that short-term symptomatic relief leads to longer-term recovery. This is why we emphasise a multi-modal rehabilitation plan here at ReWin Therapy.
Patients will often describe laser therapy as warm and soothing. This is very different from shockwave therapy or a deep tissue massage. A typical session will involve:
There is no downtime, and patients can return to activity immediately afterwards. We invest in technologies that meaningfully improve patient outcomes, particularly for chronic pain, where progress can be slow and frustrating. The Lightforce XLi has stood out because of its
When combined with comprehensive assessment and active rehabilitation.
The Lightforce XLi allows us to provide some of the best chronic pain relief. Chronic pain is complex, and tendinopathies can be incredibly stubborn. But modern medicine has a technology that accelerates healing at the cellular level, whilst exercise and lifestyle changes ensure that you will have long-lasting relief.
The Lightforce XLi isn’t a gimmick, it’s a clinically robust tool supported by evidence-based research. When combined with a structured rehabilitation protocol, it offers a powerful pathway for recovery.
If you’ve been living with chronic pain or a stubborn tendon injury, the Lightforce XLi might be the tool you’ve been looking for.
To make an appointment with ReWin Therapy, simply click on the ‘Request an Appointment’ button below and follow the prompt. Alternatively, please call our reception during our operating hours.
