Cold Laser Therapy for Shoulder Pain: What Does the Research Say?

Cold Laser Therapy for Shoulder Pain: What Does the Research Say?

Shoulder pain can make everyday activities surprisingly difficult. Reaching overhead, lifting, getting dressed, exercising, or even sleeping on one side may become uncomfortable.

One common type of shoulder problem is subacromial or rotator cuff-related shoulder pain, which often causes discomfort when lifting or reaching with the arm.

Alongside exercise, activity modification and other conservative treatments, cold laser therapy⁠, also known as low-level laser therapy or photo biomodulation, is increasingly being researched as an option for helping manage shoulder pain.

A new 2026 systematic review provides encouraging evidence.

What Is Cold Laser Therapy?

Cold laser therapy⁠ uses specific wavelengths of low-intensity light directed into the treatment area. Unlike surgical lasers, it does not cut tissue. Instead, the light interacts with cells through a process known as photo biomodulation, or PBM.

Researchers have investigated whether this process may influence pain and other biological responses associated with musculoskeletal conditions.

Importantly, not every laser treatment is the same. Wavelength, power, treatment dose, pulse settings and the number of sessions can all differ between devices and studies.

At Cold Laser Perth, we use the MR5 ACTIV PRO LaserStim® and tailor treatment according to the area being treated and the individual presentation.

What Does the Latest Research Say About Shoulder Pain?

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis examined 21 randomised controlled trials involving 1,118 people with subacromial shoulder pain.

When the studies were combined, low-level laser therapy was associated with improvement in shoulder pain, improved shoulder flexion, improved shoulder abduction and improved external rotation.

These findings are encouraging because these movements are involved in many everyday activities, including reaching overhead, dressing, lifting and exercising.

The research also highlights that treatment parameters matter. Laser dose, treatment frequency and the number of sessions varied between studies, reinforcing the importance of choosing an appropriate treatment protocol rather than applying the same settings to every patient.

Cold Laser Therapy and Rotator Cuff Pain

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help control and stabilise the shoulder. Problems involving these structures can cause pain when lifting the arm, pain reaching overhead, discomfort lying on the affected shoulder, weakness or pain during lifting, pain during gym or sporting activities, and aching around the outside of the upper arm.

Cold laser therapy has been studied for several tendon-related conditions, including rotator cuff and shoulder presentations.

For people with tendon-related shoulder pain, laser therapy may be considered alongside appropriate movement and rehabilitation rather than being viewed as an isolated treatment.

Cold Laser Perth also treats a range of sports injuries⁠, including tendon and soft tissue presentations.

Where Does Rehabilitation and Chiropractic Care Fit?

Cold laser therapy can be used on its own in some cases, but for many musculoskeletal shoulder problems it may be combined with other forms of care.

Cold Laser Perth works closely with Lakeside Chiropractic⁠ in Joondalup, and our cold laser treatments are administered by chiropractors who can also assess the surrounding joints, muscles and movement of the shoulder when appropriate.

Depending on the presentation, treatment may also include rehabilitation exercises⁠ to gradually improve shoulder strength and capacity.

For some patients, other treatment options may also be incorporated, such as soft tissue therapy⁠ for associated muscular tension or dry needling⁠ where clinically appropriate.

Lakeside Chiropractic also offers a broader range of chiropractic and musculoskeletal treatment options⁠, allowing treatment to be adapted to the individual rather than relying on one modality alone.

For shoulder conditions, exercise remains particularly important because the goal is often to gradually restore the shoulder’s ability to tolerate reaching, lifting and everyday activity.

Early rehabilitation may involve comfortable movement and lower-load exercises. As symptoms improve, treatment can gradually progress towards strengthening, endurance and returning to work, exercise or sport.

Cold laser therapy can therefore sit alongside rehabilitation and other appropriate treatment rather than necessarily replacing them.

What Happens During a Cold Laser Session?

Cold laser treatment is generally relatively quick.

The treatment area is assessed before the laser is applied directly over the targeted region. Treatment time varies depending on the area, condition and protocol being used.

The number of sessions required can also vary depending on how long the problem has been present, the area being treated and the individual response to treatment.

You can read more about what to expect during cold laser therapy treatment⁠.

Not Every Painful Shoulder Is the Same

Shoulder pain is a symptom rather than one specific diagnosis.

Pain around the shoulder may be associated with rotator cuff tendinopathy, subacromial shoulder pain, bursitis, frozen shoulder, AC joint injuries, arthritis, acute sporting injuries, or pain referred from the neck.

This is why assessment remains important before deciding which treatment may be appropriate.

Someone with a stiff frozen shoulder may require a different approach from someone with a painful rotator cuff tendon after increasing their gym training.

If you are interested in another shoulder condition, you can also read about cold laser therapy for frozen shoulder⁠.

So, Can Cold Laser Therapy Help Shoulder Pain?

Current research suggests that low-level laser therapy may help reduce pain and improve several measures of shoulder movement in people with subacromial shoulder pain.

The latest evidence supports considering laser therapy as one option within a broader shoulder management plan, particularly alongside appropriate movement and rehabilitation.

At Cold Laser Perth in Joondalup, treatments are administered by chiropractors from our associated clinic, Lakeside Chiropractic⁠.

This means that where appropriate, cold laser therapy can be incorporated alongside rehabilitation, soft tissue therapy, dry needling or other musculoskeletal care depending on the individual presentation.

If you are experiencing persistent shoulder pain, reduced movement, or discomfort with lifting and reaching, an assessment can help determine whether cold laser therapy⁠ may be appropriate for you.

Book an Appointment

If you are experiencing arm numbness, shoulder pain, or tingling that worsens with activity or overhead movement, it may be worth having this assessed.

At Cold Laser Perth, located within Lakeside Chiropractic in Joondalup, our practitioners combine laser therapy, manual care, and rehabilitation to support your recovery and improve function.

📍 Find us in Joondalup

📅 Book online: https://www.coldlaserperth.com.au/

📞 Call: (08) 9300 0095

Serving Perth's Northern Suburbs Cold Laser Perth proudly serves the City of Joondalup and surrounding suburbs including Yanchep (6035), Tapping (6065), Carramar (6031), Currambine (6028), Wanneroo (6065), Heathridge (6027), Edgewater (6027), Gnangara (6077), Mullaloo (6027), Padbury (6025), Kingsley (6026), Woodvale (6026), Banksia Grove (6031), and Duncraig (6023).

Research

Chen L, Wang Y. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy for subacromial impingement syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Lasers in Medical Science. 2026.