Could Laser Therapy Help with Your Knee Arthritis Pain? New Research Says Yes!

If you’re one of the millions of people dealing with knee osteoarthritis (KO), you know how frustrating the pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility can be. It can make everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even standing for too long a real challenge.

But here’s some good news: a new study shows that a type of laser therapy—called High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)—might be a powerful and non-invasive way to reduce knee pain and improve movement.

What Is High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)?

HILT is a treatment that uses strong but safe beams of light to reach deep into your tissues. Unlike red light therapy or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), known as low power "cold" laser, HILT delivers more energy and can go deeper, targeting the inflammation and pain inside your knee joint more effectively.

HILT for knee arthritis pain

What Did the Study Find?

Researchers looked at 23 clinical trials involving over 1,100 people with knee osteoarthritis. Here’s what they discovered about HILT:

🔹 It Eases Pain—Fast and for the Long Term

People who had HILT felt a real difference in their pain levels—not just right after treatment, but even months later. It helped reduce the need for pain medications and improved their quality of life.

🔹 It Helps You Move Better

Many people reported they could walk more easily, bend their knees more freely, and do daily tasks with less discomfort. Tests showed better range of motion and improved scores on a well-known arthritis scale (called WOMAC).

🔹 It Reduces Swelling and Inflammation

Using diagnostic ultrasound to look inside the knee, doctors saw a decrease in joint swelling and fluid buildup—signs that the therapy was actually calming the inflammation, not just masking the pain.

🔹 It Works Better Than Low-Level Laser Therapy

Both HILT and low power "cold" laser can help, but HILT seems to offer stronger and longer-lasting relief, likely because it reaches deeper into the joint.

🔹 It Can Be Combined with Other Treatments

Even better—HILT works great alongside other therapies like physical exercise, hot packs, and other forms of physical therapy. It’s not an either-or situation—it can be part of a bigger plan to get you moving and feeling better.

So, Should You Try HILT?

If you’ve been struggling with knee osteoarthritis and haven’t found lasting relief with exercise, medication, or other therapies, HILT might be worth exploring. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and has shown promising results for many people just like you. Come chat with us at our Kalispell clinic to see if this is an option for you!

Want to Learn More?

You can read the full research article here.