LLLT/PBMT for the Management of Paediatric Musculoskeletal Conditions

Gentle. Drug-Free. Clinically Proven

Introduction to LLLT and PBMT

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), also known as Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT), is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that uses red and near-infrared light to promote healing and reduce pain. It works at the cellular level to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and accelerate recovery. LLLT has been shown to have significant therapeutic effects in a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including those affecting children.

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Dr. Shikha S. Parmar – Expert in Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury Management


Dr. Shikha Parmar is a highly experienced General Practitioner with over 30 years of clinical experience, including 14 years of specialising in musculoskeletal (MSK) pain management. With a passion for resolving chronic injuries and pain, Dr. Parmar uses a holistic approach, integrating cutting-edge treatments such as Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT), commonly known as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).

Her expertise lies in managing both acute and chronic MSK conditions, particularly those that involve localised, non-autoimmune-related pain. Over the years, Dr. Parmar has become a leader in the application of LLLT, which she uses as the core of her treatment approach for various musculoskeletal disorders, helping patients recover more quickly and with fewer side effects than conventional treatments.

In addition to her extensive clinical practice, Dr. Parmar is committed to advancing the understanding of MSK health and laser therapy in the medical field. She regularly attends and presents at international conferences, contributing her knowledge on the benefits and application of PBMT/LLLT in musculoskeletal pain management. She is deeply dedicated to providing patients with scientifically backed, evidence-based care.

With a patient-centred approach, Dr. Parmar works closely with each individual to design personalised treatment plans. Her goal is not just symptom management but also ensuring long-term recovery through safe, effective, and innovative therapies. As the head of Laser Pain Therapy, Dr. Parmar ensures that all treatments are led by her clinical expertise, supported by a dedicated team of professionals under her guidance.

Click here for FAQ/Costs

Why Choose LLLT for Paediatric Musculoskeletal Conditions?


Paediatric patients, particularly adolescents experiencing rapid growth, are more vulnerable to musculoskeletal issues such as Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome, Sever’s Disease, and other growth-related pain conditions. The natural growth imbalance between bones and soft tissues, particularly around growth plates, can cause pain and inflammation that significantly impacts a child’s mobility and quality of life. Traditional treatments, such as rest, ice, and medications, provide only temporary relief and may not effectively address the underlying causes.

LLLT offers a safe, non-invasive solution that targets the root cause of pain and inflammation without side-effects or the risks associated with more invasive treatments. Its ability to stimulate tissue healing and promote natural recovery makes it a valuable option for children suffering from conditions such as Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome, Sever’s Disease, and other musculoskeletal disorders.

How LLLT Works for Paediatric Conditions


LLLT uses low-intensity light to penetrate the skin, reaching the affected tissues. The light energy is absorbed by the cells, triggering biological processes that promote healing. These include:

  • Reducing inflammation: LLLT helps to reduce the inflammatory response in the tissues, which is common in musculoskeletal conditions.

  • Improving blood flow: By enhancing circulation, LLLT accelerates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, aiding in faster recovery.

  • Stimulating cellular repair: LLLT promotes the production of ATP (cellular energy), which boosts cellular repair and regeneration, supporting faster healing of the injured or irritated tissues.

  • Reducing pain: The therapy has analgesic effects, reducing pain and discomfort associated with conditions such as Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome and Sever’s Disease.

This non-invasive, pain-free treatment is particularly advantageous for children, as it avoids the potential side effects of medications and the need for more aggressive interventions.

LLLT/PBMT for Children and its Safety


LLLT is generally considered safe for children’s joints, including those around growth plates. Research has shown that LLLT does not negatively affect bone development, cartilage, or the growth plates. In fact, it may help in cases where there has been damage to the epiphyseal plates, supporting tissue healing and regeneration.

Studies have shown that LLLT promotes tissue repair and reduces inflammation without harmful side effects. For example:

These studies collectively support the safety of LLLT in paediatric applications, indicating that it does not negatively impact bone growth or development when used appropriately. This makes LLLT a safe and effective treatment option for children with musculoskeletal conditions, provided it is applied according to established guidelines and under professional supervision.

Common Paediatric Conditions Treated with LLLT/PBMT


LLLT has proven effective in treating various paediatric musculoskeletal conditions, including:

  • Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome: A common condition in adolescents that causes knee pain due to inflammation where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibial tuberosity. LLLT can reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and accelerate healing, helping children return to their activities sooner. Read more here.

  • Sever’s Disease: A condition that causes heel pain in growing children, often during periods of rapid growth. LLLT helps to reduce inflammation and supports tissue healing in the heel, providing relief from pain and promoting long-term recovery. Read more here.

  • Tendonitis: LLLT has been used successfully to treat various types of tendonitis in children, such as Achilles tendonitis, by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and supporting tendon repair. Read more here.

  • Muscle Strains and Sprains: LLLT promotes tissue repair and reduces inflammation, speeding up the recovery process for children suffering from muscle strains or sprains. 

Why Choose Laser Pain Therapy?


At Laser Pain Therapy, all LLLT treatments are GP-led by Dr Shikha Parmar, a highly experienced GP with a special interest in managing and resolving chronic musculoskeletal pain. Dr Parmar’s expertise ensures that all treatments are tailored to the individual child’s needs and supervised with the utmost care.

Each treatment program is designed to address the specific condition and the child’s activity level, with the goal of restoring full function and helping the child return to their usual activities. Our LLLT treatments are part of a structured, six-week program, offering long-term relief and lasting results.

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What to Expect from LLLT Treatment


LLLT for paediatric musculoskeletal conditions aims to:

  • Relieve pain and reduce inflammation

  • Promote healing of damaged or irritated tissues

  • Improve mobility and flexibility in the affected area

  • Support long-term recovery through rehabilitation and activity modification

As treatment progresses, we often see a significant reduction in pain and improvement in function, allowing children to return to their physical activities with improved comfort and mobility.

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Proven, Safe, and Clinically Validated

Photobiomodulation is supported by over 700 randomised controlled trials and 7,000+ studies demonstrating effectiveness in pain and injury. LLLT is:

  • Non-invasive and painless
  • Drug-free and non-toxic
  • Safe for long-term use
  • Clinically proven to relieve neck pain and restore function

At our GP-led clinic, every patient is assessed by Dr Shikha Parmar to confirm diagnosis and rule out serious pathology. Treatment is delivered by trained assistants under direct medical supervision for precision and safety.

Treatment Plan

Our Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) program for paediatric musculoskeletal conditions is medically supervised by Dr Shikha Parmar. The treatment plan includes:

  • Up to 12 LLLT sessions, with a review after 6 sessions to assess progress
  • Individualized advice for managing the condition and modifying activities
  • A guided rehabilitation and recovery plan to restore function and prevent recurrence

While outcomes vary, we generally expect a 15–20% improvement in pain or function within the first 6 sessions if the treatment is likely to be effective. If this threshold is not met, we will reassess the treatment plan. If there is a positive treatment response, we recommend 6 further treatments, along with introducing gradual graded rehabilitation, aiming for up to 70–90% improvement in the best-case scenarios.

Ongoing treatment beyond the anticipated 12-session protocol is generally not required, as the body’s immune system will continue the healing process once laser therapy is withdrawn.

Ready for Lasting Relief?

If your child is struggling with a musculoskeletal condition, such as Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome, Sever’s Disease, or tendonitis, we invite you to contact our experienced team at Laser Pain Therapy. Our LLLT treatment offers a safe, effective, and lasting solution to restore comfort, mobility, and quality of life.

Contact us today to arrange your consultation and take the first step towards recovery.
📍 Located in Melbourne
📞 (03) 8529 2225 Contact Us

View treatment cost here

Cost / FAQ

At Laser Pain Therapy, we use the terms Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) interchangeably, as they both refer to the same therapeutic approach. “LLLT” specifically focuses on the use of laser light, while “PBMT” is the broader scientific term describing how light interacts with the body to promote healing.

Both therapies stimulate cellular activity, reduce inflammation, repair tissue, and accelerate the healing process.

The initial consultation with Dr Shikha Parmar requires up to 60 minutes where your condition is fully assessed along with your medical history. Dr Parmar will take a thorough history of your problem from its onset, through its progression to now. She will review any imaging reports pertaining to your problem, and may recommend further investigations. Dr Parmar will give you a detailed explanation of your problem, and will discuss our holistic approach and management plan including the utilisation of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). If your condition is amenable to LLLT the treatment is commenced at the initial consultation. A medical consultation with Dr Shikha Parmar, GP, is billed and is rebatable through Medicare for patients who hold a Medicare card.

The fee for an initial consultation including Low Level Laser Therapy treatment is $257.00. This includes a Medicare rebate for the GP consultation of $84.90, the out of pocket cost being $172.10.

Pension and Health Care Card holders receive a further reduced fee for the initial consultation of $207.00 only with the out of pocket fee (gap fee) being $122.10.

For each subsequent follow-up consultation  involving review of progress, tailored advice and management etc, and Low Level Laser Therapy treatment, a fee of $129.25 applies. This includes a Medicare rebate for the GP consultation of $43.90, the out of pocket cost (gap fee) being $85.35.

Longer review visits are charged at $210.20 which includes a Medicare rebate $84.90, the out-of-pocket cost being $125.30.
An $8.00 surcharge applies to appointments after 6pm.

Fees may be subject to change and will be confirmed with you at the time of booking. We utilise state of the art equipment from Europe and the USA operated with the assistance of highly trained clinic assistants.  No further rebate can be claimed from private health insurance. We are unable to offer bulk billing.

Yes.  LLLT has been in active and beneficial use in Europe for nearly 30 years. There are more than 200 double blind positive studies confirming the clinical effect of LLLT.
Published in the world’s top scientific journals:

  • Nature, Pain, PNS, Blood, BMJ, Spine, Muscle and Nerve, The Lancet, Circulation, BJSM
  • 30 LLLT papers published a month
  • Over 4000 laboratory studies and over 400 randomised controlled trials

Over 2,500 clinical studies and published research reports have shown the effectiveness of LLLT for a variety of health issues. Looking at the limited LLLT dental literature alone (370 studies), more than 90% of these studies do verify the clinical value of laser therapy.
LLLT has been a staple in veterinary practices for decades.
In the past 6 years, professional sports teams have begun utilising LLLT.

In the last 10 years 8 systematic reviews have found in favour of LLLT

  • American College of Physicians Guidelines include a “strong recommendation” for Low-Level Laser Therapy as a non-invasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute & Chronic Low Back Pain. (2017) Click here
  • BMJ LLLT for chronic non-specific low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials found “moderate quality of evidence” and “clinically important benefits” in the short term. (2016) Click here
  • BMJ sports medicine journal, systematic review of surgical and conservative interventions for frozen shoulder found “strong evidence” for LLLT. (2010) Click here
  • The BMJ clinical evidence recommendations for tennis elbow 2011 now include LLLT Click here
  • American Physical Therapy Association guidelines recommend LLLT for Achilles tendonitis. (2010) Click here
  • Lancet systematic review: “LLLT reduces pain immediately after treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain”. (2009) Click here
  • World Health Organisation (Bone and Joint Task Force) for neck pain Low Level Laser Therapy “more effective than no treatment, sham, or alternative interventions” (2008) Click here

Laser Therapy does not heat or cut tissue, unlike high intensity lasers. The question is often asked “If it’s a laser aren’t they used in surgical operations, to cauterise tissue?” The answer is “Yes” – hot lasers are able to cauterise (cut) tissue. However, the ones we use are “Low Level Lasers” of class 3B, the most researched and proven class in LLLT, and with designed parameters that make it impossible to damage even one cell in the body. Our lasers stimulate and energise the cells.

In the past 4 years, the FDA has ruled that LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy) is safe and the only contraindication (warning) is not to use it directly in the eyes.

For the past 30 years the technology of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been formally accepted in many parts of the world such as Canada, USA, Brazil, Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and Japan. In all this time there have been no recorded long-term adverse effects from its use. It is considered to be non-invasive, painless and safe.

Industry has been using laser diodes for years in such applications as barcode readers, CD players, DVD players, laser printers and pointers. The FDA has listed bio-stimulation lasers as non-significant risk (NSR) devices.

Hundreds of research studies have shown Laser Therapy to be safe and effective. Laser Therapy is non-invasive, non-toxic and non-thermal. Unlike other forms of radiation, Laser Therapy is beneficial rather than harmful to tissue. Over 400 LLLT clinical trials (RCTs) and over 2500 laboratory studies have been published. It has proven more effective and safer than pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories across a range of musculoskeletal conditions.

LLLT also improves healing and reduces muscle fatigue, muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS.

There are normally no adverse effects from LLLT, however, patients occasionally experience mild discomfort/ache after treatment. This is due to a restimulation of the inflammatory phase and should settle down after 24 – 48 hours.

The answer is no. No mutational effects have been observed resulting from light with wavelengths in the red or infrared range and of doses used within LLLT. But what happens if I treat someone who has cancer and is unaware of it? Can the cancer’s growth be stimulated? The effects of LLLT on cancer cells in vitro have been studied, and it was observed that they could be stimulated by laser light. However, with respect to a cancer in vivo, the situation is rather different. Experiments on rats have shown that small tumours treated with LLLT can recede and completely disappear, although laser treatment had no effect on tumours over a certain size. It is probably the local immune system, which is stimulated more than the tumour.

The situation is the same for bacteria and virus in culture. These are stimulated by laser light in certain doses, while a bacterial or viral infection is eradicated more quickly after treatment with LLLT.

Laser Therapy should be avoided in the following instances:

  • Over the womb for women in pregnancy
  • Over cancerous tumour, primary or secondary (LLLT is not a treatment for these conditions)
  • Direct irradiation of the eyes

At Laser Pain Therapy, we use state-of-the-art, TGA-approved laser devices, applied by highly trained assistants. Our laser devices deliver the appropriate red and infrared laser energy to trigger the desired tissue response. With the application of up to 37 diodes (laser lights) across multiple devices, we ensure time-efficient treatment without compromising dosage or energy delivery. Unlike LED devices, our laser technology provides deeper penetration and more effective tissue healing.

Dr Shikha Parmar, an experienced GP with over 30 years in General Practice and 14 years of expertise in photobiomodulation therapy, leads our clinic, making her one of the most experienced doctors in this field. Treatment at Laser Pain Therapy is medically supervised, ensuring each patient receives a thorough assessment that takes into account not only their presenting condition but also relevant health factors, such as co-morbidities, medications, lifestyle, work, personal activity demands, and nutritional deficiencies. This holistic approach allows us to tailor care with LLLT at the core, supported by personalised advice.

Additionally, our treatment plans are finite, with clear goal-setting and regular progress reviews, ensuring that each patient is on track towards long-term recovery and optimal outcomes.

At Laser Pain Therapy, we use advanced equipment with laser diodes, not LED lights. Unlike LEDs, laser diodes provide more focused light with deeper penetration, making them significantly more effective for treating musculoskeletal conditions.

Our state-of-the-art equipment features 37 laser diodes, allowing us to efficiently cover a larger surface area. This optimises treatment time, ensuring deeper penetration for superior results. Unlike devices that use just 2-4 diodes, our technology delivers more effective treatment in less time, promoting faster healing, reduced inflammation, and long-lasting pain relief.

The effects of LLLT are accumulative. The good news is that for most patients undergoing a treatment program, the results from the treatments are sustained. While some patients get immediate results, improvements are often not noticed until after 3 to 5 treatments. Most patients usually require 6-12 treatments to achieve resolution of the problem or a lasting effect.

More severe conditions will require more treatments than less severe injuries. Since each person’s condition varies in severity the doctor will determine after reviewing your condition how laser treatments may benefit you and how many you might require

Your situation will be assessed after 6 treatments and if there is no improvement after 6 to 8 treatments (very uncommon), LLLT will not be continued and alternatives will be looked at for your future management.

You will need to follow precautions in order to avoid re-injury or the pain may return. Low Level Laser Therapy not only helps injured tissues heal faster, it also makes them stronger and less vulnerable to re-injury.

Contact us to book a consultation at our clinic or to learn more about how this form of therapy could help you.

No. Low level lasers do not generate perceivable heat. Therefore, when the laser contacts the skin the patient experiences no burning as a result of the laser. Most people feel nothing at all while a few may feel a slight tingling or warmth during the treatment.

No. As Dr Shikha Parmar is a General Practitioner a doctor’s referral is not required.

With our dedicated clinic in Melbourne, contact us at Laser Pain Therapy to discuss how we can assist you

Images and Illustrations Disclaimer
Please note that the images, diagrams, and illustrations used on this website are for demonstration and illustrative purposes only. They are intended to provide a general overview of Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). The specific methods and equipment we use at Laser Pain Therapy may differ from those depicted. For instance, while some images may show a small laser being applied to the skin, we utilise advanced cluster lasers equipped with multiple diodes, offering superior coverage and effectiveness for treating musculoskeletal conditions. Our treatment protocols are tailored to each patient’s unique needs, using the latest technology for optimal results.

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“The use of low levels of visible or near infrared light for reducing pain, inflammation and edema, promoting healing of wounds, deeper tissues and nerves, and preventing cell death and tissue damage has been known for over forty years”.

Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School: Mechanisms of Low Level Light Therapy (2006). Proceedings of SPIE, 6140, 614001

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Laser Pain Therapy

South Yarra, Victoria
Suite 8, 200 Toorak Road
(Ground floor from William St)
South Yarra, Vic 3141
Ph: 03 8529 2225
Email us:
info@laserpaintherapy.com.au

Easy free street parking:
If driving you will find many free 1P and 2P spots on and around Toorak Rd and William St near the clinic.

Map Location

TRANSPORT ACCESS: Train: South Yarra Station, 100m, 1 minute walk Tram: Route 58, stop no. 127
Call now: 03 8529 2225
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Our Mission

We are dedicated to helping our patients with the most technically advanced, proven and affordable medical therapies. Our treatment modalities offer evidence-based, safe, non-invasive and painless solutions to improve health, well-being and quality of life.

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The contents of this website have not been evaluated by the Australian Government Department of Health. The information of this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the author, who retains copyright as listed…..Continue Reading

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