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Low-Level Laser Therapy for Acute Pain: A Comprehensive Review

  • ACUTE PAIN MEDICINE (R URMAN, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

An analysis of data conducted in 2015 by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that an estimated 25.3 million adults (11.2%) have experienced pain every day for the preceding 3 months, and nearly 40 million adults (17.6%) have experienced a severe level of pain.

Recent Findings

Multiple reviews have analyzed the current management of acute pain; however, much of the current literature only focuses on pharmacological methods of analgesia, such as opiates, ketamine, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Publications that discuss non-pharmacological options often criticize the limitations of available research for these therapies, making further exploration of this type of treatment necessary.

Summary

The present investigation aims to summarize current knowledge on the use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), a cold laser non-pharmacological approach, in managing acute pain and to discuss important clinical findings and considerations when it comes to utilizing this treatment option in patients.

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Data Availability

All data described in this paper is publically available on papers index on pubmed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Salim Lutfallah

  2. Louisiana State University Health Science Center New Orleans, 1900 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA, 70115, USA

    Irza Wajid

  3. LSUHSC-New Orleans School of Medicine, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Evan S. Sinnathamby & Rebecca J. Maitski

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Amber N. Edinoff

  5. Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA

    Sahar Shekoohi, Elyse M. Cornett & Alan D. Kaye

  6. Department of Anesthesiology, Ohio State University Health Sciences Center, The Ohio State University, N437 Doan Hall, 410 W. 10Th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Richard D. Urman

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  1. Salim Lutfallah
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All authors listed have made a direct and intellectual contribution to the work and approved for publication.

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Correspondence to Sahar Shekoohi.

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Richard Urman reports unrelated funding/fees from Medtronic, Merck, AcelRx, and Pfizer. Others report no competing interests.

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Lutfallah, S., Wajid, I., Sinnathamby, E.S. et al. Low-Level Laser Therapy for Acute Pain: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Pain Headache Rep 27, 607–613 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01149-8

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