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MLS Laser Therapy Melbourne
MLS laser therapy involves using a Class IV therapeutic laser to help reduce pain and inflammation so your rehabilitation can progress further. Eastside Physio + Co is a physiotherapy clinic in Surrey Hills, treating patients from across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. You don't need a referral to book.
What is MLS laser therapy?
The Multiwave Locked System (MLS) is a Class IV therapeutic laser that delivers two infrared wavelengths at the same time: 808 nm and 905 nm. Unlike many therapeutic lasers that use a single wavelength, MLS combines two to deliver its effects.
Each wavelength does something different. One is used to influence pain signals through the peripheral nervous system, while the other reduces inflammation and supports tissue repair. When both are used together, they improve blood flow and encourage the cells involved in healing to start working more efficiently.
Because the two wavelengths work together, the laser can reach deeper tissue than many single-wavelength devices. And, unlike surgical lasers, an MLS laser doesn't cut or generate heat. Instead, it uses light energy to trigger a photochemical response within the tissue. That's the reason why it's used for musculoskeletal conditions, where the aim is to ease pain and inflammation without any need for invasive treatment.
How MLS laser therapy works
Once pain settles enough to move more comfortably, it's much easier to start rebuilding strength through exercise. That's the part that helps people recover.
Chronic pain can become a bit of a cycle. Everything hurts, so you naturally move less. The problem is that avoiding movement can make recovery take even longer. This discomfort often causes people to avoid rehab altogether or ease off their exercises. Without the necessary stimulus, the tissue fails to remodel, and the pain persists.
MLS laser treatment helps break this cycle by targeting pain and inflammation. The 905 nm wavelength provides relief by acting on pain signals, while the 808 nm wavelength reduces inflammation and promotes tissue healing. As they work together, these wavelengths boost cellular energy production, improve blood flow, and support tissue repair.
The main benefit is that movement often becomes less painful for a period of time. During this time, we focus on advancing your loading and strength exercises. That's why MLS laser pain therapy is integrated into our physiotherapy programs, rather than being offered as a standalone treatment.
MLS laser, cold laser and low level laser therapy explained
Cold laser therapy and low-level laser therapy both refer to treatments that use light without generating heat in a process called “photobiomodulation”. Within this field, MLS represents a particular Class IV system. Though people often use these terms interchangeably, clinics may employ different equipment when offering cold laser therapy versus MLS.
The biggest difference is how the laser delivers the light. Traditional low-level laser devices usually use a single wavelength at lower power, but MLS combines two wavelengths at the same time. Both are forms of photobiomodulation, and neither generates heat in the tissue.
There’s no better one when you’re choosing between them. It ultimately comes down to what you're being treated for. During your first consultation, your physiotherapist will assess whether low-level laser therapy or MLS suits you best, and they'll guide you toward the right option.
Wavelengths delivered
MLS laser
Two synchronised wavelengths, 808 nm and 905 nm, at the same time
Cold laser and low level laser therapy
Usually a single wavelength
Laser class and power
MLS laser
Class IV, higher power output
Cold laser and low level laser therapy
Lower power output
What practitioners call it
MLS laser
MLS or Multiwave Locked System
Cold laser and low level laser therapy
Cold laser, low level laser therapy (LLLT)
Conditions we treat with MLS laser
MLS laser therapy shows varying levels of clinical evidence for different musculoskeletal conditions. While it is used for chronic neck pain and knee osteoarthritis, the strength of evidence supporting its effectiveness varies by condition. The evidence isn't equally strong for every condition, so we've grouped them below. Tendon problems may fall into either category depending on which tendon is affected.
Conditions with strong evidence
These musculoskeletal disorders have the strongest trial base behind laser treatment:
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Tennis elbow
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Chronic low back pain
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Chronic neck pain
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Frozen shoulder
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Plantar fasciitis, including partial tears
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Mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis
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Shoulder and rotator cuff tendinopathy
Conditions with promising evidence
The trial base behind these is smaller, and what exists so far is positive:
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Achilles and ankle tendinopathy (tendonitis)
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Hip osteoarthritis
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Fibromyalgia and widespread chronic pain
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Nerve pain and peripheral neuropathy
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
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Post-surgical recovery
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Bursitis
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Sciatica
For bursitis and sciatica in particular, MLS laser may help as part of a physiotherapy program. We do not present either as a treatment that the laser handles on its own.
What the research shows
Laser therapy is mentioned in the clinical guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as an option for knee osteoarthritis. Current guidelines include laser therapy as one treatment option for knee osteoarthritis, but the evidence isn't considered strong enough for a firm recommendation.
A comprehensive review of 22 randomised controlled trials highlighted that low-level laser therapy can significantly alleviate pain and improve mobility in individuals with knee osteoarthritis when compared to a placebo (Stausholm et al., BMJ Open, 2019). Notably, these benefits were observed to last up to 12 weeks after completing the treatment. It's important to note that these outcomes are specific to knee osteoarthritis and should not be generalised to other conditions.
We use the evidence to guide treatment, but the aim is simple: reduce your pain and get you back to doing the things you need to do. While pain relief is our main goal, further improvements will depend on your unique situation and the overall rehabilitation process.
How many treatments does MLS laser therapy take and how quickly does it work?
Most patients notice significant improvements following the first three to five sessions. This is based on our clinical experience rather than published research, and we'll explain that from the outset.
For acute injuries, people often see results after four to six sessions. However, chronic pain issues, like persistent low back pain, usually require eight to twelve sessions. These figures reflect our clinic's results rather than external data.
Our sessions run two to three times per week and last 15 to 20 minutes each. If there's no noticeable progress after three to five sessions, we look at the situation again instead of continuing without results. This reassessment could involve altering the treatment plan or stopping laser treatment altogether. We prefer having that discussion early on rather than committing you to a series of ineffective sessions.
Your physiotherapist will create a personalised pain management plan after your initial assessment. The number of sessions you need will depend on your condition and how you respond to treatment.
What to expect, safety and who should not have it
MLS laser therapy offers a non-invasive and typically pain-free experience. Many patients either don't feel anything or just a gentle warmth where the laser is applied. Since the treatment doesn't involve any drugs, there are no needles, and you won't need any recovery time afterwards. Throughout the session, both you and your physiotherapist wear protective goggles for safety.
MLS is a safe treatment for most people, but there are situations where we will not use it. We won't use an MLS laser if there's active cancer in or near the treatment area. During pregnancy, we avoid treating the abdomen and pelvis. The eyes are never treated directly, and we also avoid using the laser over active skin infections, open wounds or if you're taking photosensitising medication. The same applies if you have an active skin infection or an open wound in the area being treated.
Some situations don't rule treatment out, but they do mean we need to adjust how we use the laser. For instance, after a recent cortisone injection or when there's a noticeable loss of skin sensation, we modify our treatment methods accordingly. We also carefully navigate around tattoos so they remain unaffected. If you're unsure whether these considerations apply to your situation, feel free to contact us before scheduling an appointment.
Clinic information
Eastside Physio + Co has treated Melbourne's eastern suburbs from our Surrey Hills clinic since 2017, with more than 6,300 clients.
Address: 427 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3127
Phone: (03) 9836 1333
Email: info@esphysio.com.au
Referral: none needed to book. Medicare rebates need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Private health: claim on the spot via HICAPS, all major insurers.
WorkCover, TAC and NDIS clients welcome.
Parking: there are three onsite parking bays at the front of the building and two at the rear. Additional street parking is available on Canterbury Road and the adjoining streets.
MLS laser therapy at Eastside Physio + Co in Melbourne's eastern suburbs
At our Surrey Hills clinic, we use MLS laser therapy as an integral part of our physiotherapy rehabilitation program, but this kind of laser treatment complements other therapies rather than serving as a standalone solution. Its role is to reduce pain and inflammation so you can tolerate rehabilitation exercises more comfortably.
Before recommending MLS laser, we'll assess your condition and explain why we think it's appropriate. During this evaluation, we explain the specific issues we aim to address, present the supporting evidence for your particular condition, estimate the number of sessions you might need, and explain what you can expect afterwards. If the research indicates that the benefits for your condition are promising but not yet conclusive, we will openly communicate that information.
We welcome patients from Camberwell, Box Hill, Hawthorn, Balwyn, Canterbury, Doncaster, and the surrounding eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Our physiotherapists personally operate the laser equipment, ensuring a cohesive approach to your pain management and rehabilitation plan.
Book your MLS laser assessment
Your first appointment is focused on getting an understanding of what's causing your pain and what you want to get back to doing. You don't need a referral to visit us. Our clinic, located in Surrey Hills, is conveniently accessible for those in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Feel free to reach out or call us at (03) 9836 1333. If you're uncertain about whether MLS laser treatment is suitable for you, or if you have any concerns about potential contraindications, give us a call before scheduling an appointment.