Soft Laser Therapy for Disc Herniation and Lower Back Pain at Home

What you need to know about a herniated disc

Your spine is built from separate vertebrae with flexible intervertebral discs between them. The disc consists of an outer fibrous ring and a gelatinous core it surrounds.

Imagine a jam-filled doughnut: the dough (like the fibrous ring) on the outside, the jam (like the gelatinous core) inside. If you sit on the doughnut, it flattens and the jam is squeezed out. The same happens to your intervertebral disc when it is subjected to excessive load.

How does a herniated disc develop?

Causes of a disc herniation (commonly called a herniated disc):

• Overweight: Extra pounds mean constant additional load
• Sedentary lifestyle: Muscles weaken and do not support the spine properly
• Heavy physical work: Repeated overloading
• Sudden movement or accident: Acute injury
• Genetic predisposition: Loose ligaments

Symptoms of a herniated disc

• Severe, sharp, tearing pain in the lower back or neck area
• Radiating pain into the arm or leg
• Numbness, burning sensation in the affected area
• Muscle weakness
• Pain worsens with coughing or sneezing

Why soft laser?

Soft laser therapy (low-level laser therapy, LLLT) is mentioned by the American College of Physicians (ACP) in their 2017 guidance among non-surgical treatment options for low back pain.¹

Research indicates that soft laser therapy may:

• Positively influence inflammatory processes around the nerve root
• Contribute to reduction of edema (swelling)
• Support tissue regeneration
• Help relieve pain

A 2015 meta-analysis of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain concluded that soft laser treatment favorably affected pain compared to placebo.²

Important to note: soft laser does not remove the herniation itself. It targets the surrounding inflammation and swelling. If the herniation causes severe neurological symptoms (paralysis, urinary or fecal incontinence), surgery may be necessary — discuss this with your physician!

How does the soft laser affect spine complaints?

The pain from a herniated disc is not caused solely by the bulging disc but by its pressure on the nerve root and the resulting inflammation. Soft laser targets this inflammation:

1. Laser light penetrates the tissues
2. At the cellular level it stimulates energy production (ATP synthesis)
3. It may positively influence production of inflammatory mediators
4. It can support the absorption of edema
5. It may contribute to the reduction of pain perception

Treatment guide

The right device

For spinal complaints use a soft laser with an 808 nm wavelength. This wavelength can penetrate deeply enough to reach the tissues of the back.

Treatment points

Important: DO NOT use the laser directly over the spine! Apply it on the paraspinal muscles on both sides of the spine at the level of the affected segment.

For lumbar (lower back) disc herniation:

• On the right and left sides of the spine, 2–3 cm away from the vertebrae
• At the level of the affected vertebra
• On the area where the pain radiates (buttock, thigh, lower leg)

For cervical (neck) disc herniation:

• Along the neck muscles on both sides of the spine
• On the upper shoulders
• If it radiates: along the arm

Energy and time

Procedure

1. Remove clothing from the area to be treated
2. Place the device directly on the skin
3. Keep it still for the preset time
4. Move to the next treatment point
5. Treat both sides of the spine

Complementary treatments

Other methods can support your recovery alongside soft laser therapy:

Muscle stimulation (EMS)

One main cause of disc problems is weak spinal support muscles. A muscle stimulator can help strengthen these muscles without placing additional load on your spine. This is especially important because traditional exercise may be risky when a herniation is present!

See the article Strengthening the back muscles with a muscle stimulator for a detailed workout plan.

TENS pain relief

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) can help reduce the sensation of pain. Important: this is symptomatic treatment and does not eliminate the herniation!

Microcurrent (MENS)

Microcurrent therapy may positively affect edema around the nerve root and support regeneration.

Therapeutic ultrasound

Ultrasound heats tissues and can relax tense muscles. Important: DO NOT use directly over the spine, only on the sides of the spinal column!

Before you start treatment

When NOT to use it?

• You have an implanted pacemaker
• There is an active malignant tumor in the treatment area
• You are pregnant (for abdominal and lower back areas it is forbidden)
• You are taking photosensitizing medication
• You have epilepsy

Detailed information on contraindications: Contraindications of soft laser therapy

When to see a doctor immediately?

• If you experience paralysis or muscle weakness
• If you notice urinary or fecal incontinence
• If the pain is unbearably strong and does not subside
• If the symptoms are accompanied by fever

These may be conditions that require urgent medical attention!

Recommended devices

Find the full range of soft laser devices here.

Other soft laser applications

Soft laser therapy can support treatment of many other conditions and complaints. For an overview of all home-use indications read the article Soft laser therapy at home – Treating diseases.

If you are not familiar with the basics of soft laser therapy, start with the Comprehensive guide to soft laser therapy article.

Summary – Quick overview

What is this article? A guide to using soft laser therapy for herniated discs and lower back pain.

Who is it for? People with herniated discs, disc prolapse, or chronic lower- or neck-pain who are looking for a side-effect-free complementary therapy.

Main message: Soft laser does not remove the herniation but can positively affect the surrounding inflammation and pain. The ACP also mentions it among non-surgical treatment options.

Important points:

• An 808 nm wavelength device is required
• Treat BOTH SIDES of the spinal column, DO NOT treat directly over the spine!
• Can be combined with muscle stimulation for lasting results
• If severe neurological symptoms occur, see a doctor immediately!

Frequently asked questions:

Does soft laser eliminate the herniated disc?
No, it does not "pull back" the bulging part of the disc. However, it can positively influence the surrounding inflammation, which is the main cause of pain.

Can I use it after surgery?
Yes, soft laser can support postoperative rehabilitation. Consult your treating physician about the appropriate timing.

How long until I feel the effect?
Significant improvement is usually expected after 10–14 days of regular treatment, but this varies by individual.

Related musculoskeletal articles

• Soft laser for knee pain and osteoarthritis – if your knee is also affected
• Soft laser for heel pain – the leg may be involved in radiating pain
• Soft laser for tendon inflammation – tendon problems around the shoulder, neck, back
• Soft laser for joint inflammation (arthritis) – inflammation of the facet joints
• Peripheral neuropathy treatment – if numbness or neurological symptoms occur

Sources

1. Qaseem A, et al. (2017). Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. PubMed: 28192789
2. Huang Z, et al. (2015). The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arthritis Research & Therapy. PubMed: 26667480
3. Harada T, et al. (2012). Low Level Laser Therapy for Patients with Cervical Disk Hernia. Laser Therapy. PMC: 3882355
4. Ahmad MA, et al. (2022). Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Patients with Discogenic Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain Research and Management. PMC: 8898844

The information in this article is for informational purposes only. Home therapeutic devices are intended to complement medical treatment and do not replace specialist care. If you suspect a herniated disc, always consult your physician to establish the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.