Cold Laser Therapy Adelaide
Non-invasive, TGA-listed photobiomodulation therapy for pain and inflammation. Delivered by Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) at our Plympton Park clinic using the Multi-Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO — a Class IIa medical device listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG 370913).
What Is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold laser therapy — also called photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) — uses specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue at a cellular level. Unlike surgical lasers, cold lasers do not cut or burn. The treatment is non-invasive, painless, and requires no downtime.
The Multi-Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO delivers super-pulsed laser energy (905nm), broadband infrared (875nm), and visible red light (640nm) simultaneously. This multi-wavelength approach allows the light energy to reach deeper tissues — up to 5cm below the skin surface — where it may help stimulate cellular repair processes.
Research suggests that photobiomodulation may support tissue recovery by influencing cellular energy production (ATP synthesis) and modulating inflammatory pathways. Our device is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods as a Class IIa medical device (ARTG 370913).
What to Expect at Your First Cold Laser Session
Assessment
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will assess your condition, review your history, and determine whether cold laser therapy may be appropriate for your situation.
Treatment Plan
If cold laser therapy is considered appropriate, you will receive a clear explanation of the proposed treatment approach, expected session frequency, and costs. The decision to proceed is always yours.
Your First Treatment
Treatment is painless. You will wear protective eyewear while the MR5 ACTIV PRO is applied to the treatment area. Sessions typically take 10–20 minutes.
Review
After your session, Dr Sam (Chiropractor) will discuss your response and any recommended follow-up. There is no lock-in commitment to ongoing treatment.
(08) 8297 5277
Our Technology — Multi-Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO
The MR5 ACTIV PRO by Multi-Radiance Medical is a professional-grade photobiomodulation device used in clinical, sporting, and rehabilitation settings internationally.
Device Specifications
- Super-pulsed laser: 905nm (peak power 50W)
- Broadband infrared LEDs: 875nm
- Visible red LEDs: 640nm
- Target tissue depth: up to 5cm
- ARTG listing: 370913 (Class IIa)
The World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT) publishes evidence-based dosage guidelines that inform our treatment protocols.
Conditions We May Help With Cold Laser Therapy
Research evidence varies by condition — during your assessment, Dr Sam (Chiropractor) will discuss the specific evidence relevant to your situation.
Bursitis
Shoulder, hip, knee, and elbow bursitis. Photobiomodulation may help manage inflammation around the bursal sac.
Learn more →Neck Pain
Cervical pain, stiffness, and associated headaches. Supported by a 2009 Lancet systematic review (Chow et al.).
Tendinopathy
Achilles, rotator cuff, tennis elbow, and other tendon conditions. Research suggests PBM may support tendon healing processes.
Knee Pain & Osteoarthritis
Joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Multiple RCTs have investigated PBM for this condition.
Muscle Strains & Soft Tissue
Acute and chronic muscle injuries. Cold laser may assist with tissue recovery timelines.
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel and arch pain. Emerging evidence for photobiomodulation as an adjunct to conservative management.
What Does the Research Say?
All clinical claims are supported by published peer-reviewed research. Individual responses to treatment vary.
A systematic review of 16 RCTs (n=820) found that low-level laser therapy may reduce pain intensity in chronic neck pain immediately after treatment and at 22-week follow-up.
Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM. The Lancet. 2009;374(9705):1897-1908.
A systematic review of 7 RCTs found that LLLT with optimal dosage parameters may provide short-term pain relief for musculoskeletal conditions.
Bjordal JM, et al. Aust J Physiother. 2003;49(2):107-116.
Therapeutic outcomes are dependent on correct wavelength, power density, and treatment duration. The biphasic dose response demonstrates correct parameters are essential.
Huang YY, et al. Dose-Response. 2011;9(4):602-618.
Studies using WALT-recommended dosage parameters were more likely to report positive outcomes for tendinopathy.
Tumilty S, et al. Photomed Laser Surg. 2010;28(1):3-16.
Transparent, Affordable Cold Laser Fees
Initial Cold Laser Consultation
Typical clinic rates
Standard Cold Laser Session
Typical clinic rates
(08) 8297 5277
Cold Laser Therapy — Frequently Asked Questions
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Cold laser therapy, also called photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), uses specific wavelengths of light to interact with cells. The light energy may influence cellular energy production (ATP synthesis) and modulate inflammatory responses. Unlike surgical lasers, cold lasers do not cut or burn tissue. The treatment is painless and non-invasive.
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Yes. The Multi-Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO is a Class IIa medical device listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG 370913). Treatment requires protective eyewear to shield the eyes from light exposure. Serious adverse events are rare when proper dosage and safety protocols are followed. Some patients may experience mild temporary skin redness or tingling, which typically resolves within minutes.
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Research evidence exists for cold laser therapy in musculoskeletal conditions including neck pain, bursitis, tendinopathy, knee osteoarthritis, muscle strains, and plantar fasciitis. However, individual responses vary, and the evidence quality differs by condition. During your initial assessment, Dr Sam (Chiropractor) will discuss whether cold laser therapy may be appropriate for your specific situation and the relevant research evidence.
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A typical cold laser session takes 10–20 minutes, depending on the treatment area and condition being addressed. The actual laser application time is usually 5–15 minutes, with assessment and discussion before and after treatment.
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No. Cold laser therapy is painless. You may feel mild warmth or a gentle tingling sensation, but the treatment itself does not cause pain. There is no downtime — you can return to normal activities immediately after your session.
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The number of sessions needed varies depending on your condition and response to treatment. Research suggests that some conditions respond better to a course of multiple sessions over 2–4 weeks, while others may benefit from ongoing periodic treatment. Dr Sam (Chiropractor) will discuss the proposed frequency and duration during your initial assessment and review your response after the first few sessions.
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Yes. Cold laser therapy can complement other conservative management approaches such as chiropractic adjustment, physiotherapy, stretching, and ergonomic modifications. Dr Sam (Chiropractor) will advise on the safest and most effective treatment approach for your specific situation.
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Cold laser therapy sessions are paid at the time of your appointment. We accept cash, card, and EFTPOS. Your initial consultation is $99 and standard follow-up sessions are $120. No referral is required to book.
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No. You do not need a doctor's referral to book a cold laser therapy consultation at Stapleton Chiropractic. However, if you have a complex medical history or are taking medications that may interact with light therapy, it's helpful to inform Dr Sam (Chiropractor) during your initial assessment.
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We use the Multi-Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO, a professional-grade photobiomodulation device. It delivers super-pulsed laser energy (905nm), broadband infrared (875nm), and visible red light (640nm) simultaneously. The device has a target tissue depth of up to 5cm and is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods as a Class IIa medical device (ARTG 370913).
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During your first visit, Dr Sam (Chiropractor) will assess your condition, review your medical history, and determine whether cold laser therapy may be appropriate for your situation. If suitable, you will receive a clear explanation of the proposed treatment approach, expected frequency, and costs. You will then have your first treatment session, which is painless and typically takes 10–20 minutes. Afterward, Dr Sam (Chiropractor) will discuss your response and any recommended follow-up. There is no lock-in commitment to ongoing treatment.
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Cold laser therapy for musculoskeletal conditions is supported by numerous peer-reviewed RCTs and systematic reviews published in journals such as The Lancet, the Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, Photomedicine & Laser Surgery, and Dose-Response. A 2009 Lancet systematic review by Chow et al. analysed 16 RCTs (n=820) and found that low-level laser therapy may reduce pain intensity in chronic neck pain. However, treatment outcomes depend on correct wavelength, power density, and dosage parameters. The World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT) publishes evidence-based dosage guidelines that inform our protocols.
Ready to See if Cold Laser Therapy May Help You?
Book your initial cold laser consultation for $99. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will assess your condition and discuss whether photobiomodulation may be an appropriate option for you.
Why We Use Super-Pulsed Laser Technology
Not all cold laser devices work the same way. The technology behind a laser determines what it can safely treat — and what it can’t.
Super-Pulsed vs Continuous-Wave (Class IV)
Continuous-wave Class IV lasers deliver high power at a constant output. This generates tissue heating, which means they cannot safely be applied over acute inflammation, swelling, or recent injuries without risk of thermal damage.
Super-pulsed lasers like our MR5 ACTIV PRO deliver energy in extremely short bursts (billionths of a second) at high peak power. Between pulses, tissue cools completely. The result:
- No thermal risk — classified as Non-Heating (NHN) by the FDA
- Safe for acute injuries — can be applied immediately to fresh sprains, post-surgical sites, and inflamed joints
- Multi-wavelength delivery — 905nm super-pulsed laser + 875nm infrared LEDs + 640nm visible red, simultaneously targeting different tissue depths
- TARGET technology — identifies the specific treatment area using tissue impedance feedback
- DOSE technology — automatically calibrates energy delivery based on real-time tissue response
What This Means for You
When you’re in pain from a fresh injury or a flare-up, you want treatment now — not in two weeks once swelling subsides. Super-pulsed technology allows Dr Sam (Chiropractor) to begin therapy immediately, during the acute inflammatory phase when cellular support may be most beneficial.
The MR5 ACTIV PRO is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG 370913, Class IIa medical device) and treatment protocols follow the World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT) evidence-based dosage guidelines.
Individual responses to cold laser therapy vary. During your initial assessment, Dr Sam will discuss the evidence relevant to your specific condition and whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate for you.
Photobiomodulation Research in Adelaide
Adelaide is home to active photobiomodulation research. While these studies investigate different clinical applications to our MSK-focused practice, they reflect the growing scientific interest in PBM therapy from our local research institutions.
Researchers at Flinders University and SAHMRI investigated transcranial photobiomodulation at 670nm and 904nm in a preclinical model. The 904nm wavelength — the same super-pulsed wavelength used in our MR5 ACTIV PRO — demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects including reduction of microglial activation.
Lau AA, Jin K, Beard H, et al. J Neurochem. 2024;168(9):2791–2813. doi:10.1111/jnc.16145
University of Adelaide and SAHMRI researchers reviewed advances in mucositis management during stem cell transplantation, identifying photobiomodulation as a recommended intervention — evidence of PBM’s growing acceptance across medical disciplines.
Bowen JM, Wardill HR. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2017;11(4):341–346. doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000310
Note: These studies investigated applications other than musculoskeletal pain. They are included to demonstrate the breadth of PBM research occurring at Adelaide institutions. Individual responses to cold laser therapy vary.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
This is one of the most common questions we hear — and the honest answer is that it depends on your individual situation.
Every person responds differently to photobiomodulation therapy. Factors that influence your treatment recommendations include:
- Whether your condition is acute (recent onset) or chronic (long-standing) — acute conditions may respond over shorter courses of treatment
- The severity and location of the affected tissue
- Your overall health, activity level, and healing capacity
- Whether you're managing one area or multiple concerns
Rather than prescribing a fixed number of sessions upfront, Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will assess your condition, discuss your options — including whether cold laser therapy is the right approach at all — and recommend a plan based on your specific circumstances.
Progress is reviewed regularly, and the decision to continue, adjust, or conclude treatment is always yours.
The best way to understand what cold laser therapy could look like for you is a proper assessment.
Book Your Initial Consultation — $99