MLS® Laser Therapy
A patient guide — a painless, non-invasive light therapy that may reduce pain and support recovery as part of a bigger rehab plan.
MLS® (Multiwave Locked System) Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to deliver energy to tissues beneath the skin. Unlike surgical lasers, it does not cut or burn — the light is absorbed by cells and may influence normal biologic processes involved in pain modulation and tissue recovery. Treatment is done in the office, requires no injections, and typically takes only a few minutes.
Conditions that may be appropriate
Treatment recommendations are individualized following a comprehensive evaluation.
What to expect
The applicator is positioned over the treated area and you’ll wear protective eyewear; nothing punctures the skin. Most patients feel little or no sensation — some notice a gentle warming — and there’s typically no recovery time. The number of sessions depends on your diagnosis, how long symptoms have been present, and your response. Some notice changes after a few treatments, others improve more gradually over several weeks. MLS is intended to complement — not replace — the rest of your rehabilitation.
Combining care
My clinical perspective
One advantage of MLS is that it’s comfortable, non-invasive, and easy to fold into a rehab program. That said, I rarely recommend it as the only treatment — it’s one tool among many that may reduce pain and improve comfort during rehabilitation in appropriately selected patients.
“The technology can support recovery — but lasting improvement still depends on addressing the underlying cause of the condition.”
Common misconceptions
No — MLS uses low-level therapeutic light and does not cut, burn, or damage tissue.
Many patients feel very little during treatment. The absence of sensation doesn't indicate whether it's having a biologic effect.
No single treatment works for every condition. It's one option that may fit selected diagnoses within a comprehensive plan.
Exercise, progressive strengthening, and movement retraining remain essential — laser therapy complements them, it doesn't replace them.