If you’re reading this, you’re possibly living with chronic pain (e.g. persistent pain that has lasted for more than 12 weeks) or have a loved one who is struggling.
Whether you’re dealing with a nagging ache, pain that wakes you up at night, or you’re frustrated that your post-injury recovery is slower than expected, we recognise that chronic pain can significantly affect your quality of life.
One issue that often troubles people is how safe and effective it is to use painkillers for long-term pain management. You might be wondering whether there’s a gentler, more sustainable way to manage or even improve your symptoms, especially without relying on medication.
Laser therapy could offer you the fresh alternative you’re looking for.
Why long-term medication can feel like a dead end
You’ve probably become familiar with what a script of painkillers can deliver: some relief, yes … but also the creeping concerns. Will they stop working? Are side-effects building up? Are you simply managing the pain rather than shifting it?
In the clinic, we meet people who describe exactly this: “the meds worked at first, now they just take the edge off”, or “I’m fine for a while… then it comes back”. This is because, while medication can suppress pain signals, it doesn’t always address the underlying tissue healing, movement patterns, circulation or inflammation driving your symptoms. Ultimately, you’re left in a cycle, and that’s exhausting.
What we mean by “long-term” medication use
In clinical guidance, the term “long-term” often means regular use beyond three to six months, especially for ongoing pain rather than a short-term flare-up.
There are three main groups of pain medication that you might currently be taking: paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, and opioids that include codeine, tramadol and morphine.
Side-effects you might notice when taking painkillers for chronic pain
When painkillers become a regular part of life, you may start to feel or notice things like:
- Needing higher doses or more frequent use to get the same effect (tolerance)
- More digestive discomfort (e.g., stomach problems, heartburn)
- Finding everyday activities slightly harder (for opioid users, there’s increased risk of falls or fractures)
- Mood, sleep or hormone changes (for example, low energy or changes in sexual function)
- Paradoxically, some people experience greater sensitivity to pain rather than less (in some opioid-cases); this is sometimes described as “opioid-induced hyperalgesia”
Painkillers are known to be highly effective for short-term (acute) pain caused by an injury, operation, or recent physical trauma. However, the benefits may tail off as the pain becomes more long-term.
In the UK, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that doctors should not prescribe painkillers for chronic pain. As well as the potential side effects above, there isn’t currently robust clinical evidence to support their use beyond three to six months.
These are just some of the reasons that it’s important to consider other options to address persistent discomfort.
What laser therapy is and why it helps chronic pain
Laser therapy, sometimes called photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of light to encourage your tissues to heal rather than simply numb the pain.
At The Physio Box, we use a high-power therapeutic laser that sends light gently and safely into the deeper layers of muscle, tendon, joint or nerve. People are often surprised by how calming it feels. Most describe a pleasant warmth rather than anything intense.
So, what’s happening beneath the surface when you have laser therapy?
Essentially, your cells respond to light. Inside each cell is a little structure called a mitochondrion, which behaves a bit like a tiny energy centre. When the laser light reaches these mitochondria, it helps them produce more cellular energy. With more energy available, the tissue is able to repair more efficiently, meaning that the sensations that have been lingering for weeks or months start to reduce.
As this process continues, several useful things begin to happen. Inflammation starts to ease, irritated nerves calm down, and circulation improves, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the area. This creates a healthier environment inside the affected tissue, which in turn supports natural pain reduction.
And because you are not ingesting another drug, the burden on your system is reduced. Laser therapy works with your body rather than adding to the load it is already carrying.
There is strong research to support this approach. A 2022 review found that laser therapy has stronger evidence for managing chronic pain than several alternative modalities. Another research analysis from 2014 concluded that low level laser therapy may be effective for many people living with long-term pain. These findings match what we see in the clinic when someone begins a structured course of treatment.
At The Physio Box, we often combine laser therapy with hands-on physiotherapy and tailored rehabilitation. That way the tissues are supported by the laser, but you also rebuild mobility, strength and confidence through guided movement.
The benefits of laser therapy for chronic pain that people tend to notice in everyday life
Once someone starts a course of laser therapy, the changes are often subtle at first. You might simply notice that getting out of bed feels a little easier or that familiar aches take a bit longer to appear during the day. Many people say they feel less stiff after sitting for a while or that they can move through their usual routine without bracing for the same spikes of pain.
Because the treatment is encouraging real tissue repair rather than numbing the area, the improvements tend to build gradually. You may find that movements you were avoiding start to feel more manageable. Small things like climbing stairs, reaching overhead or bending to tie your shoes become smoother. That sense of being “stuck” in pain begins to ease.
The aim isn’t perfection (if only!); it’s progress that feels steady and achievable.
Safety, side effects, and who laser therapy is suitable for
Laser therapy is known for having a particularly good safety profile, which means that it’s a sensible choice for almost anyone experiencing chronic pain.
It’s a comfortable, non-invasive treatment that allows you to return to your normal activities right away. Most people feel only a gentle warming sensation during a session. There’s no downtime and no medication added to your system.
Side effects are rare. Occasionally, someone may feel a fleeting period of increased warmth or a slight temporary change in their symptoms as the tissues respond, but this usually settles quickly.
During your consultation, we will check your medical history, the nature of your pain, and any conditions that may influence whether laser therapy is right for you. You’re never taken straight into treatment without a clear conversation about suitability.
What a session at The Physio Box is like
When you come in for laser therapy, we begin by talking about what your pain is stopping you from doing and what you hope to change. This helps us understand the full picture rather than focusing only on one painful area. We then assess how you move, which tissues are affected and what might be feeding into the discomfort.
If laser therapy is appropriate, we guide you through the process. You can sit or lie in a comfortable position while the therapist applies the laser to the specific tissues that need support. The sensation is usually warm and soothing. Sessions are fairly short, and once you’re finished, you can head straight back into your day.
We track your response across the course of treatment. If you start noticing changes in sleep, movement or pain levels, we take that into account and adapt your plan. It’s a partnership rather than a rigid protocol!
How laser therapy fits into a wider recovery plan
Pain usually has a few different threads running through it. Sometimes, it’s caused by irritated tissue. Sometimes, it’s due to stiffness or weakness that has built up over time. Sometimes, it’s the way you move to protect the sore area, which then creates its own problems.
Mostly, it’s caused by a combination of the factors above, which is why the best results often come from a mix of approaches rather than one treatment working alone.
Laser therapy can make it easier for the irritated tissues to settle, but that improvement tends to hold for longer when we also look at how you move, how strong certain areas are and what your day looks like outside the clinic.
This is why we often pair laser sessions with hands-on physiotherapy and simple rehab work. It helps the body make sense of the changes happening beneath the surface.
Think of it as giving your tissues a clearer path forward. The laser creates the right environment for healing, and the physiotherapy and rehab help you build confidence in that recovering area. It’s not about pushing you or giving you a lengthy list of exercises; it’s about steady change that feels doable.
Ready to explore a different approach to pain relief?
If you’re finding it harder to manage your pain or you feel as though medication is giving you less relief than it used to, it might be time to look at another option. Laser therapy can be a gentle place to begin, especially if you want something that supports the body rather than placing more strain on it.
You are welcome to come in, ask questions and see whether this feels right for you. We will talk through your symptoms, your concerns and what you want to get back to, then decide together whether laser therapy could help.
Book a consultation and discover a new approach to pain relief.