Low Level Laser or High Intensity Laser - Which One Works Best?

If you’ve been exploring laser therapy to relieve pain—whether it's your knees, back, shoulder, or even plantar fasciitis, you’ve probably come across two terms: LLLT (Low-Level Laser Therapy) and HILT (High-Intensity Laser Therapy). So... which one is better? One laser gives low doses (LLLT) and the other gives a lot more power and in a shorter time.

The truth is, it’s not about choosing one over the other. It’s about understanding how both work, and using them strategically.

A 2025 network meta-analysis (that’s research-speak for a study that compared multiple high-quality trials) just gave us the clearest picture yet of how LLLT and HILT stack up for musculoskeletal pain.

Here’s what stood out, and why it matters for your healing journey.

The Highlights: What the Research Found

1. HILT outperformed LLLT when used alone.
   When high-intensity laser therapy was used by itself (no exercise, no other therapy), it significantly reduced pain more than LLLT. That’s likely thanks to HILT’s dual-action power, combining photobiomodulation and heat-based effects for a deeper, more powerful response.

2. LLLT still works - and works best when paired.
   While LLLT didn’t score quite as high when used solo, it showed value when combined with other treatments, particularly for sensitive or superficial tissues.

3. No adverse events reported.
   That’s right - not a single significant negative side effect across all 20 clinical trials. That’s a huge win, especially when compared to other common pain treatments like medications or injections.

4. Conventional physical therapy still ranked highest.
   Interestingly, the biggest improvements were seen when treatments like TENS, stretching, ultrasound, and manual therapy were used. This reinforces the idea that multimodal care - layering therapies - is where the magic happens.

What This Means for You

At our clinic, we don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach. That’s why we’re proud to offer laser systems that use both LLLT and HILT settings - so we can fully customize your treatment.

• LLLT is ideal for sensitive areas and earlier-stage injuries, delivering gentle yet effective healing without any heat.

• HILT brings more intensity and is our go-to for deeper, chronic, or stubborn pain - it penetrates more deeply and acts faster, delivering more energy in less time.

Whether you’re coming in for postpartum healing, sciatica, or joint pain, we’re not guessing - we’re using evidence-based tools backed by science.

Let’s Talk About the Limitations - And Why They Don’t Stop Us

Now, we always keep it real around here, so it’s worth mentioning that this study had a few weaknesses:

• There was a lot of variability in how treatments were delivered. Different devices, energy levels, and session lengths made it tough to compare apples to apples.

• Not all studies reported long-term results, so we can’t yet say how long the benefits last - especially for chronic conditions.

• The research focused primarily on pain intensity, so we still need more data on how laser therapy improves function and quality of life over time.

But rather than seeing these as roadblocks, we see them as a roadmap.

Science is catching up to what practitioners have known for years - laser therapy works. And with the right settings, protocols, and experienced hands (that’s us!), the potential is enormous.

The best pain relief strategy isn’t about picking between LLLT or HILT.

It’s about using both wisely, based on your body’s unique needs, and combining them with movement, therapy, and mindset.

That’s exactly what we offer - personalized, evidence-informed care using cutting-edge laser tech that helps you feel better, move better, and get back to living fully.