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MLS Laser Therapy
When recovery keeps stalling
A lot of people come to us after weeks or months of not getting anywhere. They've rested, they've tried other treatment, maybe they've had a scan, and they're still stuck. Usually the reason is pretty simple: pain and inflammation make it hard to actually progress through rehab. The tissue is too irritable to respond properly, and every time you push forward it resets.
MLS Laser is the tool we use to get through that. It targets the pain and inflammation directly, so your body can start responding to treatment instead of just reacting to it.
Non-invasive Treatment | No Downtime | No Referral Required
What is MLS Laser?
MLS stands for Multiwave Locked System. It's a Class IV therapeutic laser that uses two wavelengths of infrared light (808 nm and 905 nm) delivered at the same time, penetrating 3 to 5 cm into the tissue.
Each wavelength has a different role. The 905 nm wavelength acts on the peripheral nervous system to reduce the pain signal. The 808 nm wavelength works over the full course of treatment to reduce the inflammatory load and support tissue repair.
Together they stimulate cellular energy production, improve local circulation and create the conditions the tissue needs to actually heal rather than just settle temporarily.
How does it work?
Most chronic pain conditions follow the same pattern. The tissue is inflamed and irritable, which makes loading painful, which means rehab stalls, which means the tissue never gets the stimulus it needs to recover. It becomes a cycle that's hard to break on its own.
MLS laser interrupts that cycle at the source. Once pain and inflammation are reduced, we can start loading the tissue progressively, and that loading is where rehabilitation actually happens. The laser doesn't replace your rehab. It makes your rehab work.
Most people feel nothing, occasionally a mild warmth. There's no heat produced in the tissue, no needles and nothing to recover from afterwards.
Conditions we treat with laser
MLS laser has clinical evidence across a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. We use it most commonly for:
Strong Evidence
Multiple clinical trials support use for this condition
Promising Evidence
Early research is positive regarding the benefits for this condition
Fibromyalgia and widespread chronic pain
Nerve pain and peripheral neuropathy
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Post-surgical recovery
What the research shows
Laser therapy for knee osteoarthritis is now included in the clinical guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. A systematic review of 22 randomised controlled trials found laser therapy significantly reduced pain and disability compared to placebo (Stausholm et al., BMJ Open, 2019).
For most conditions, patients start noticing meaningful pain reduction within 3 to 5 sessions. Results continue improving for up to 12 weeks after finishing a course of treatment.
How Quickly Does the Laser Work?
It depends on your diagnosis and how long you've had the problem. Acute injuries typically respond within 4 to 6 sessions. Chronic conditions that have been present for months usually need 8 to 12 sessions to work through the full inflammatory and tissue remodelling cycle.
Most patients notice a meaningful shift within the first 3 to 5 sessions. If you're not responding by that point, we reassess. We won't keep you on treatment that isn't moving.
Sessions run 2 to 3 times per week. Your physio will give you a clear plan after your first assessment.
Why Eastside Physio + Co?
MLS laser at our Surrey Hills clinic isn't a standalone treatment. We use it as part of how we get your rehabilitation moving, specifically to bring down the pain and inflammation that's stopping you from progressing, so we can load the tissue properly and get a real result.
Every patient is assessed before treatment starts. We'll tell you exactly what we're treating, what the evidence says, how many sessions to expect, and what you should feel after each one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from a MLS laser treatment?
Sessions take 15 to 20 minutes. You'll wear protective goggles throughout, as will your treating physio. The handpiece sits over the treatment area and you won't feel anything beyond an occasional mild warmth. You can go straight back to your day afterwards.
Will it hurt?
MLS laser is generally painless during treatment. That's actually one of the main reasons we use it for high-irritability presentations where other treatments are too uncomfortable to start with.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the condition and how long you've had it. Acute injuries are usually 4 to 6 sessions. Chronic tendinopathies and joint conditions are typically 8 to 12. Your physio will give you a specific recommendation after your assessment.
What are some contraindications of MLS laser Therapy?
MLS laser has an excellent safety profile and is appropriate for the vast majority of patients. No adverse events have been reported in published clinical trials of laser therapy for musculoskeletal conditions (Stausholm et al., BMJ Open, 2019). There are a small number of situations where we won't treat: - Active cancer in or near the treatment area - Pregnancy (over the abdomen or pelvis) - Directly over the eyes — protective goggles are worn by both patient and clinician throughout every session - Photosensitising medications (e.g. tetracyclines, amiodarone) - Active skin infection or open wound in the treatment field There are also a few situations where we treat with extra care - including recent cortisone injection (we wait at least two weeks), tattoos in the treatment field, and patients with significantly reduced skin sensation. Your physiotherapist will go through all of this with you before your first session. If you're unsure whether anything applies to you, just call us before booking.
Can I claim the treatment on my private health insurance?
Yes, you can claim the treatment on your private health insurance the same way you would for a regular physiotherapy appointment.
Is there somewhere I can do my own research regarding laser?
ASA Laser maintains a library of over 200 clinical studies at asalaser.com/research. We're happy to talk you through the evidence for your specific condition at your first appointment.
Are there any restrictions after treatment?
None. You can exercise, work and carry on with your day immediately.