MLS Laser Therapy for Arthritis: Can It Help With Joint Pain and Stiffness?

Written by: Dr. Richard Domenic Simeoni |Nano Physiotherapy | Hornsby, NSW

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of ongoing joint pain and stiffness, particularly as we get older.

For some people, symptoms are relatively mild and only noticeable after heavier activity. For others, arthritis can start making everyday things like walking, climbing stairs, gripping, exercising or getting out of a chair increasingly uncomfortable.

While physiotherapy can't reverse osteoarthritis, there are several ways we can help manage symptoms and keep you moving.

At Nano Physiotherapy in Hornsby, one of the additional treatments we may use alongside exercise and physiotherapy is MLS Laser Therapy.

What Happens With Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint, including the cartilage, bone and surrounding tissues.

Symptoms commonly include pain, stiffness, reduced movement and sometimes swelling around the affected joint.

One important thing to understand is that changes seen on an X-ray don't always match how much pain someone experiences.

Some people can have significant arthritic changes but relatively little pain, while others may have more troublesome symptoms.

This is why treatment shouldn't simply focus on what an X-ray looks like.

We also need to consider your strength, mobility, activity levels and what the arthritis is actually stopping you from doing.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Movement and strengthening are usually an important part of managing osteoarthritis.

When a joint becomes painful, it's understandable to start avoiding activities that aggravate it. Unfortunately, over time this can lead to weakness and reduced mobility, which can make everyday activities even harder.

Physiotherapy may include mobility exercises, progressive strengthening and advice around adjusting activity during periods when symptoms are more irritable.

For knee or hip arthritis, for example, improving the strength of the surrounding muscles can help the joint tolerate walking, stairs and exercise more effectively.

The aim isn't necessarily to make the joint completely pain-free.

It's to help you stay active and maintain as much strength and function as possible.

Where Does MLS Laser Therapy Fit In?

MLS Laser Therapy uses specific wavelengths of light delivered into the affected area.

This type of treatment is commonly referred to as photobiomodulation.

The aim is to influence cellular processes associated with pain, inflammation and tissue recovery.

For someone with an arthritic joint, MLS Laser may be used to help reduce pain and sensitivity, particularly when symptoms are making it difficult to exercise or move comfortably.

We don't generally look at laser as a replacement for exercise.

Instead, it can be incorporated into a broader physiotherapy program to help manage symptoms while we work on improving movement, strength and function.

Knee Arthritis

The knee is one of the most common areas affected by osteoarthritis.

Symptoms may include pain when walking, climbing stairs, squatting or getting up from a chair. The knee may also feel stiff after sitting or first thing in the morning.

Physiotherapy for knee arthritis will often focus on improving quadriceps and lower-limb strength, maintaining knee movement and keeping you physically active.

MLS Laser may also be used around a painful or irritable knee to help manage symptoms alongside this rehabilitation.

Arthritis in the Hands and Thumbs

Arthritis is also common in the small joints of the hands, particularly around the fingers and base of the thumb.

This can make gripping, opening jars, turning keys or using tools uncomfortable.

Because these are relatively small joints, even modest levels of pain or stiffness can have a noticeable impact on everyday activities.

Treatment may include mobility exercises, strengthening of the hand and wrist and advice around modifying particularly aggravating tasks.

MLS Laser can also be applied around these smaller joints as a non-invasive treatment option to help manage pain and joint sensitivity.

Hip Arthritis

The hip is another common location for osteoarthritis.

Pain is often felt around the groin, front of the thigh or sometimes around the side of the hip.

People may notice difficulty walking longer distances, putting on shoes and socks, getting in and out of the car or standing after sitting for a long period.

Physiotherapy generally focuses on maintaining hip mobility and strengthening the muscles around the hip and lower limb.

If pain is limiting rehabilitation, MLS Laser may also be considered as an additional treatment to help settle symptoms.

MLS Laser Therapy and Physiotherapy in Hornsby

There isn't one treatment that fixes arthritis.

In most cases, the best approach involves finding ways to manage symptoms while maintaining movement, strength and activity.

At Nano Physiotherapy in Hornsby, we combine physiotherapy assessment, hands-on treatment and exercise rehabilitation with MLS Laser Therapy where appropriate.

For people dealing with arthritis of the knees, hands or hips, laser may provide another option for managing pain while we work on the longer-term goal of keeping the joint strong, mobile and functional.

If arthritis is starting to interfere with walking, exercise or everyday activities, a physiotherapy assessment can help work out what you can safely keep doing and develop a practical plan for managing your symptoms.