Can low-level laser therapy (LLLT) treat carpal tunnel syndrome?

Evidence shows LLLT can reduce pain and improve grip strength in mild to moderate CTS, especially when combined with splinting and exercises.

What are the optimal LLLT treatment parameters for CTS?

Favorable studies used 780-860 nm wavelength, about 9-11 J/cm2 (roughly 10.8 J per treatment), with 10-15 sessions at 3-5 times weekly.

When should I see a doctor or consider surgery?

Consult a specialist if you have thenar muscle wasting, constant numbness, significant motor weakness, no improvement after 3 months, or severe electrophysiological damage.

Are there contraindications or side effects to LLLT?

Avoid direct eye exposure, treatment over malignant tumors, active infections, photosensitivity, and certain pregnancy areas. Side effects are rare and mild.

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Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Low-Level Laser Therapy

Does your hand go numb at night? Are you woken by pain instead of an alarm clock because your fingers tingle as if ants were walking on them? Do you feel a burning pain above the wrist that radiates into the thumb, index and middle fingers? If you experience these symptoms, you are likely suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) — and you are not alone.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral nerve compression, affecting 3–5% of the adult population, and it can be up to six times more common in women than in men.¹ The good news: mild and moderate cases can be effectively treated conservatively — including with low-level laser therapy — without surgery. You can read more about soft laser therapy here.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow channel on the inner side of the wrist, bounded by bony and ligamentous structures. The median nerve (the central nerve) and the flexor tendons of the hand pass through this “channel.” When pressure inside the tunnel increases — due to tissue swelling, inflammation, or repetitive strain — the nerve becomes compressed and irritated.

Most common symptoms

Numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger
Night pain that can wake you
Burning, stabbing pain in the wrist area
Weakness in grip strength
Clumsiness — objects slip from your hand

Symptoms are typically worse at night because many people sleep with their wrists flexed, which further narrows the tunnel.

Risk factors

Repetitive hand movements (computer work, assembly line)
Pregnancy (fluid-retention swelling)
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Rheumatoid arthritis
Wrist fracture or dislocation in the medical history

How low-level laser therapy works for nerve compression

Low-level laser therapy (also called LLLT – Low-Level Laser Therapy or photobiomodulation) uses non-thermal light energy to affect tissues. The light penetrates below the skin and influences cellular function on several levels:

Anti-inflammatory effect: Reduces production of proinflammatory cytokines
Edema reduction: Improves lymphatic drainage and decreases tissue swelling
Support for nerve regeneration: May promote axonal regeneration and restoration of the myelin sheath
Pain relief: Modulates pain perception at nerve endings

In carpal tunnel syndrome, the goal is to reduce pressure within the tunnel and support nerve regeneration.

What does the science say? — Evidence review

The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome has been analyzed in numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses. Results are mixed, but positive for certain outcomes.

Positive findings

A 2016 Cochrane-style meta-analysis (7 randomized trials, 531 wrists) found that after 12 weeks the laser group showed:²

Grip strength: Significantly better (MD = 2.04; p = 0.04)
Pain (VAS): Significantly better (MD = 0.97; p < 0.01)
Sensory nerve action potential (SNAP): Significantly better (MD = 1.08; p = 0.001)

A 2017 systematic review found strong evidence for short-term (0–5 weeks) pain reduction compared with placebo.³

The most recent 2025 meta-analysis confirmed a positive effect on pain and grip strength.⁴

Limitations and mixed results

A 2017 meta-analysis (8 trials, 473 patients) did not find a significant difference in pain and functional improvement compared with placebo, although grip strength was significantly better in the laser group.⁵

A 2020 network meta-analysis reported that the combination of laser + splinting had a 75% probability of being the best for pain reduction, but the overall advantage over splinting alone was limited.¹

Optimal parameters

Studies reporting more favorable results used the following parameters:⁶

Wavelength: 780–860 nm (near-infrared range)
Energy dose: 9–11 J/cm² or about 10.8 J per treatment
Treatment protocol: 10–15 sessions, 3–5 treatments per week

Evidence summary

Outcome	Strength of evidence	Result
Improvement in grip strength	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate-good)	Significant improvement
Short-term pain reduction	⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)	Positive, within 5 weeks
Sensory nerve conduction	⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)	Positive trend
Long-term function	⭐⭐ (Limited)	Mixed results

Note: Low-level laser therapy is primarily recommended for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, and the best results are usually achieved in combined treatment (splinting + exercises).

Combined treatment options

The most effective management of carpal tunnel syndrome typically involves a combination of methods. Low-level laser therapy integrates well with other conservative treatments.

1. Wrist splint (night/day)

Splinting is a first-line conservative treatment. Keeping the wrist in a neutral position maximizes the tunnel volume and reduces pressure on the nerve.⁷

Wearing it at night is particularly important
Daytime use is recommended if your work allows it
Use for 6–12 weeks is suggested

2. Nerve and tendon gliding exercises

Targeted mobilization of the median nerve and flexor tendons may help relieve symptoms:⁸

Tendon gliding exercises: Five different finger positions (straight, hook, fist, tabletop, long fist)
Nerve gliding exercises: Six positions with gradual extension
Perform 3–5 sets daily, 10–15 repetitions each

Studies show that exercises alone are not superior to splinting, but combined they can speed recovery and improve grip strength.⁹

3. Suggested combined home protocol

Home treatment plan (consult your physician!):

Wrist splint: Mandatory at night, use during the day if possible
Low-level laser treatment: Once daily, 3–5 minutes over the wrist, a course of 10–15 sessions
Exercises: Nerve and tendon gliding exercises morning and evening
Ergonomic adjustments: Keyboard height, mouse pad, work breaks

When to see a doctor?

Alongside conservative treatment, it is important to know when specialist consultation is necessary:

Persistent muscle wasting at the base of the thumb (thenar atrophy)
Constant numbness that does not improve with rest
Motor weakness — inability to grasp objects
No improvement after 3 months of conservative treatment
Electrophysiological testing shows severe nerve damage

In these cases, surgical intervention (carpal tunnel release) may become necessary.

Before you start treatment

Be aware of contraindications for safe use.

When NOT to use the low-level laser?

Directly over the eye area (without appropriate protective goggles)
Malignant tumor in the treatment area
Pregnancy when treating the abdominal or lumbar regions
Active infection in the treatment area
Photosensitivity (light sensitivity)

For wrist-area treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, the last two points are the most relevant. In most cases, low-level laser therapy can be applied safely.

Detailed information on contraindications: Low-Level Laser Therapy Contraindications

Possible side effects

Side effects of low-level laser therapy are rare and mild:

Transient warm sensation at the treatment area
Mild skin redness (resolves quickly)
Rarely, headache

No serious adverse effects have been reported in clinical trials.

Other applications of low-level laser therapy

Soft laser therapy can support the treatment of many other conditions and complaints. For a full overview of home applications, read Low-Level Laser Therapy at Home – Treatable Conditions.

If you are unfamiliar with the basics of low-level laser therapy, start with the Comprehensive Guide to Low-Level Laser Therapy.

Summary — Quick overview

What is this article? A comprehensive guide to soft laser therapeutic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, with scientific evidence.

Who is it for? People with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome looking for a non-surgical alternative.

Main message: Low-level laser therapy can help reduce pain and improve grip strength in carpal tunnel syndrome, especially when combined with splinting and exercises. The evidence is moderate but points in a positive direction. In mild to moderate cases, it is worth trying before surgery.

References

The information in this article is for guidance only. Home therapeutic devices are intended to complement medical treatment and do not replace specialist care. If symptoms are persistent or severe, consult a physician!