Surreal illustration of neck pain with laser and electrical symbols

Neck Pain Relief: Are Laser Therapy and Electrotherapy Right for You?

Author's portrait.
Theo Raines in Health & Wellness September 2025 • 4 min read.

"A closer look at the recommendations for low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and electrotherapy in treating neck pain."


Neck pain can significantly impact daily life, leading many to seek effective treatments. Clinical guidelines play a crucial role in helping healthcare professionals and patients make informed decisions about the best course of action. However, interpreting these guidelines and understanding the evidence behind them can be challenging.

Recently, recommendations regarding low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and electrotherapy for neck pain have sparked debate. Some guidelines classify treatment recommendations into three groups: "recommended," "not recommended," and "may be considered." The placement of certain treatments in the "not recommended" category has raised questions and concerns.

This article addresses the controversy surrounding LLLT and electrotherapy for neck pain, offering a clear and accessible explanation of the research and rationale behind the current recommendations. Our goal is to provide you with the information needed to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider and make choices that align with your individual needs and preferences.

Understanding the Controversy: Why the "Not Recommended" Label?

Surreal illustration of neck pain with laser and electrical symbols

The core of the disagreement lies in how the effectiveness of LLLT and electrotherapy has been evaluated. Some argue that the summaries of effectiveness presented in research abstracts don't fully capture the nuances and cautions expressed within the full studies.

For example, while an abstract might suggest a particular quality of evidence, the full text of the review might emphasize limitations and potential publication bias. This distinction is critical because guidelines often prioritize treatments with clear benefits demonstrated by high-quality evidence compared to placebos, no treatment, or minimal interventions.

  • Abstract vs. Full Study: Abstracts can sometimes overstate the benefits of a treatment compared to the detailed findings and caveats within the full study.
  • Limitations and Bias: Many studies on LLLT and electrotherapy have limitations, such as low power or high risk of bias, which can affect the reliability of the results.
  • Patient Specificity: Some studies may not focus on the specific type of neck pain (nonspecific neck pain) targeted by the guidelines, making their results less applicable.
When considering LLLT, it’s important to note that reviews often include overlapping data. An overview of systematic reviews might summarize evidence already presented in other reviews, without adding new independent data. This means that the perceived evidence base may be smaller than it appears, with many reviews drawing from the same core set of trials.

Making Informed Decisions About Your Neck Pain Treatment

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pursue LLLT or electrotherapy for neck pain should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider. They can assess your individual condition, consider the available evidence, and discuss the potential benefits and risks of each treatment option.

It's also encouraging to know that researchers are constantly working to improve our understanding of these interventions. New, well-designed studies with low risk of bias are essential to provide more clarity on the effectiveness of LLLT and electrotherapy.

Keep an open mind and stay informed as new evidence emerges. Guidelines and recommendations can evolve as our knowledge grows, and future research may strengthen or change the current perspectives on these treatments. By actively participating in your care and staying informed, you can work with your healthcare provider to find the most effective and appropriate strategies for managing your neck pain.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/ptj/pzy121, Alternate LINK

Title: Author Response

Subject: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Journal: Physical Therapy

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Jasper D Bier, Wendy G M Scholten-Peeters, J Bart Staal, Jan Pool, Maurits W Van Tulder, Emmylou Beekman, Jesper Knoop, Guus Meerhoff, Arianne P Verhagen

Published: 2018-11-29

Everything You Need To Know

1

What are low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and electrotherapy?

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and electrotherapy are treatments for neck pain. They are often categorized in clinical guidelines. These guidelines help healthcare providers and patients make informed decisions. The classification of treatments as "recommended," "not recommended," or "may be considered" is crucial for guiding treatment choices.

2

Why are low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and electrotherapy sometimes not recommended for neck pain?

The "not recommended" label for low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and electrotherapy often arises from how their effectiveness is evaluated in research. The full studies may emphasize limitations and potential biases not always evident in the abstracts. Guidelines prioritize treatments with clear benefits demonstrated by high-quality evidence, and these treatments might not meet that standard. This label prompts further scrutiny of the evidence.

3

What are some of the key issues with the research on low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and electrotherapy?

Abstracts can sometimes overstate the benefits of a treatment compared to the detailed findings within the full study. Many studies on low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and electrotherapy have limitations, affecting the reliability of the results. Furthermore, some studies may not focus on the specific type of neck pain, making their results less applicable. These issues can contribute to the 'not recommended' status in clinical guidelines.

4

How does overlapping data affect the evaluation of low-level laser therapy (LLLT)?

When evaluating the evidence for low-level laser therapy (LLLT), it's important to consider the potential for overlapping data in reviews. Reviews sometimes summarize evidence already presented in other reviews. This can inflate the perceived evidence base. Knowing this helps in assessing the actual strength of the supporting data for treatment options.

5

How should I decide whether to use low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or electrotherapy for my neck pain?

The decision to use low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or electrotherapy should always be a collaborative one, made with your healthcare provider. They can assess your individual condition, consider the available evidence, and discuss the potential benefits and risks of each treatment option. This ensures that the chosen treatment aligns with your specific needs and circumstances.

Newsletter Subscribe

Subscribe to get the latest articles and insights directly in your inbox.