Light as medicine — the short version
Every cell in your body contains mitochondria — the structures that produce the energy (ATP) cells need to repair themselves. When tissue is injured or inflamed, mitochondrial function drops, and healing slows down.
Photobiomodulation — therapeutic laser — delivers specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed by the mitochondria, stimulating them to produce more ATP. More cellular energy means faster repair, reduced inflammation and less pain. This is not heat treatment and not surgery — it is a stimulus that accelerates your body's own repair process.
What makes MLS® different from ordinary laser
At our clinic in Ipswich we use the MLS® Laser (Mphi 75) — a class IV multiwave system that synchronises two wavelengths simultaneously:
- 808 nm (continuous) — targets inflammation and oedema, improving microcirculation and lymphatic drainage.
- 905 nm (pulsed) — targets pain directly, acting on nerve conduction with a fast analgesic effect.
The synchronisation matters: delivering both wavelengths in a co-ordinated pulse produces an effect greater than either wavelength alone — reducing pain and inflammation at the same time, which single-wavelength devices cannot do.
What the evidence supports
Photobiomodulation has thousands of published studies. The strongest evidence supports its use in:
- Tendinopathies (Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff, tennis elbow)
- Acute muscle injuries and strains
- Osteoarthritis pain (knee, hip, hands)
- Post-surgical recovery and scar tissue management
- Neck and lower back pain
- Plantar fasciitis
What a session feels like
Almost nothing — which surprises people. The laser head moves over the treatment area for a few minutes. There is no pain, no burning, no downtime. Most patients notice reduced pain within the first 2–3 sessions, with cumulative effects as the course progresses.
Why we never use laser alone
Here is the part most clinics won't tell you: laser is an accelerator, not a cure. It creates the biological conditions for faster healing — but if the movement pattern that caused the injury is still there, the injury will return.
That is why MLS Laser is one phase of our integrated programme: it eliminates pain and inflammation first, which opens the window for movement restoration and re-education. The laser heals the tissue; the programme makes sure it stays healed.
Curious whether your condition responds to MLS Laser? Book an assessment at Bruno Physical Rehabilitation, Ipswich.
References
- Hamblin, M.R. (2017) 'Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation', AIMS Biophysics, 4(3), pp. 337–361.
- Anders, J.J., Lanzafame, R.J. and Arany, P.R. (2015) 'Low-level light/laser therapy versus photobiomodulation therapy', Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 33(4), pp. 183–184.
- Bjordal, J.M., Johnson, M.I., Lopes-Martins, R.A. et al. (2007) 'Short-term efficacy of physical interventions in osteoarthritic knee pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials', BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 8, 51.
- Clijsen, R., Brunner, A., Barbero, M., Clarys, P. and Taeymans, J. (2017) 'Effects of low-level laser therapy on pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis', European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 53(4), pp. 603–610.
- Tumilty, S., Munn, J., McDonough, S. et al. (2010) 'Low level laser treatment of tendinopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis', Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 28(1), pp. 3–16.