Can Laser Therapy Help Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain?

Written by Dr Julian Simpson — Chiropractor with 15+ years of experience, Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation, and author/reviewer of 800+ health articles.

Can  Laser Therapy Help Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that can significantly affect joints, movement and quality of life. Many people living in Sunbury, Melton and surrounding Melbourne suburbs experience ongoing joint pain, stiffness and swelling that impacts daily activities.

At Health Wise Chiropractic, we are committed to exploring evidence-based conservative therapies that may help patients manage pain and improve mobility naturally. One treatment receiving growing research attention is Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), also known as Photobiomodulation Therapy.

A major Cochrane systematic review investigated whether Low Level Laser Therapy could help reduce pain and stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks healthy joint tissue.

RA commonly affects:

• hands

• wrists

• fingers

• feet

• knees

Symptoms may include:

• joint pain

• swelling

• heat around joints

• morning stiffness

• reduced mobility

• fatigue

The research article highlighted the growing prevalence of arthritis worldwide, noting:

• arthritis cases in the United States were projected to increase from 38 million people in 1990 to 59.4 million people

• this represents an increase of more than 59%

• approximately 1 in 5 people may be affected by arthritis

RA is also recognised as a major contributor to:

• disability

• reduced work capacity

• medical costs

• long-term physical limitations

What Is Low Level Laser Therapy?

Low Level Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity.

Unlike surgical lasers:

• LLLT does not generate heat

• the effects are photochemical rather than thermal

• treatment is designed to help reduce pain and inflammation

Research suggests laser therapy may:

• improve circulation

• influence inflammatory processes

• stimulate cellular repair

• support tissue healing

• assist pain reduction

At Health Wise Chiropractic, laser therapy may be used alongside:

• chiropractic care

• massage therapy

• rehabilitation exercises

• spinal decompression

• shockwave therapy

depending on the patient’s condition and goals.

What Did The Research Review Find?

The Cochrane review analyzed:

• 6 clinical studies

• involving more than 220 rheumatoid arthritis patients

• including placebo-controlled randomized trials

Most studies treated:

• hand joints

• fingers

• wrists

Treatment frequency was commonly:

• 2–3 sessions per week

• over 3–4 weeks

Key Research Findings

Pain Reduction

The review found that Low Level Laser Therapy reduced pain more effectively than placebo treatment.

Researchers reported:

• pain improved by 1.10 points on a 10-point pain scale

• statistically significant pain reduction compared with placebo

Some studies showed:

• clinical pain improvement ranging from 19% to 28%

Reduced Morning Stiffness

One of the strongest findings was improvement in morning stiffness.

The review found:

• morning stiffness reduced by approximately 27–30 minutes

• statistically significant improvement compared with placebo

For many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, morning stiffness is one of the most frustrating symptoms affecting:

• mobility

• dressing

• grip strength

• general daily function

Improved Hand Flexibility

Researchers also found improvements in:

• hand flexibility

• finger movement

The review reported:

• tip-to-palm flexibility improved by 1.3 cm

This may help explain why some patients report:

• easier hand movement

• reduced tightness

• better grip comfort

What Didn’t Improve Significantly?

Interestingly, the review found no major improvements in:

• grip strength

• swelling

• overall function

• long-term range of motion

The researchers noted that while laser therapy may help reduce pain and stiffness, it may not fully address all functional limitations associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

This is why integrated care approaches are often important.

At Health Wise Chiropractic, we often combine therapies to help support:

• joint mobility

• muscle function

• posture

• movement patterns

• overall physical function

Are There Side Effects?

One of the most important findings from the review was:

No significant side effects were reported in the included studies.

The researchers concluded that laser therapy may be considered for short-term pain and stiffness relief, particularly because of its low-risk profile.

This makes laser therapy appealing for people seeking:

• non-drug pain relief

• conservative treatment options

• support alongside medical management

How Might Laser Therapy Work?

Researchers believe laser therapy may work through several mechanisms, including:

• anti-inflammatory effects

• improved microcirculation

• stimulation of cellular repair

• modulation of nerve sensitivity

• improved tissue oxygenation

The review also discussed research suggesting laser therapy may:

• influence synovial membrane inflammation

• alter inflammatory processes inside joints

• improve blood flow around affected tissues

Some studies even suggested potential effects on:

• central nervous system pain processing

• nerve-related pain sensitivity

Laser Therapy at Health Wise Chiropractic

At Health Wise Chiropractic, we focus on affordable, evidence-informed conservative care to help patients move and feel better.

Our clinics in Sunbury and Melton provide integrated therapies including:

• Chiropractic care

• Massage therapy

• High Level Laser Therapy

• Shockwave Therapy

• Spinal Decompression

• Exercise rehabilitation

For patients experiencing inflammatory joint pain, stiffness or reduced mobility, laser therapy may be considered as part of a broader management approach.

Final Thoughts

This major Cochrane review suggests that Low Level Laser Therapy may help:

• reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain

• decrease morning stiffness

• improve short-term hand flexibility

The research also highlighted:

• minimal reported side effects

• positive short-term outcomes

• growing interest in non-invasive conservative care

While laser therapy is not a cure for rheumatoid arthritis, it may provide an additional option for people seeking supportive pain management strategies.

About the Author

Dr Julian Simpson is an Australian chiropractor with over 15 years of experience in musculoskeletal healthcare and rehabilitation.

He is a Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation and has reviewed and written more than 800 evidence-based health articles focused on spinal health, rehabilitation, sports injuries and conservative care approaches.

His treatment focus includes:

• Chiropractic adjustments

• Sports chiropractic

• Massage therapy

• Shockwave therapy

• Laser therapy

• Non-surgical spinal decompression

Dr Simpson provides patient care through Healthwise Chiropractic, serving communities including Sunbury, Melton, Diggers Rest and surrounding regions.

Reference

Brosseau L, Robinson V, Wells G, Debie R, Gam A, Harman K, Morin M, Shea B, Tugwell P. Low level laser therapy (Classes I, II and III) for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Oct 19;2005(4):CD002049. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002049.pub2. PMID: 16235295; PMCID: PMC8406947.

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