Adelaide Cold Laser
Chronic neck pain: could cold laser be worth discussing?
A conservative photobiomodulation option that may be considered for chronic neck pain.
Photobiomodulation, also called cold laser therapy or PBM, has been studied in randomised trials and systematic reviews for neck pain, including chronic presentations. Research suggests it may help some pain outcomes for some people, but suitability and individual responses vary.
Chronic neck pain information
Go deeperCondition in plain English
What is chronic neck pain?
Chronic neck pain means neck discomfort that has persisted or recurred over time. People may notice stiffness, reduced movement, or pain with desk work, driving or sleep, but these experiences do not confirm a diagnosis.
Other problems may present as neck pain, including referred pain, acute injury, radicular symptoms, headache patterns, or non-musculoskeletal causes. Assessment helps clarify whether GP review, imaging discussion, physiotherapy, exercise, or medication advice should be considered.
Adelaide Cold Laser does not diagnose the cause of neck pain from symptoms alone, order imaging, or replace medical care where that is needed.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Illustration only. Application context for the neck region. Not a promise of result.
Care boundary
When should medical assessment come first?
Seek medical assessment before routine cold laser care if neck symptoms follow significant trauma, include progressive weakness, arm numbness that is worsening, unexplained weight loss, fever, severe unrelenting night pain, bowel or bladder change, or another red-flag pattern.
If the diagnosis is uncertain, a GP may assess whether investigation, medication discussion, physiotherapy, or further referral is appropriate. Photobiomodulation does not replace those pathways.
This information is general and does not replace medical advice. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Where PBM sits
How may cold laser fit into care for chronic neck pain?
Research suggests photobiomodulation may help some neck-pain outcomes in studied populations. Evidence includes systematic reviews, but protocols differ and findings do not predict an individual response.
Chronic neck pain is often managed with conservative approaches first: exercise, load and posture advice where relevant, physiotherapy, GP care, and medication discussion when indicated. Adelaide Cold Laser positions PBM as one option that may be considered alongside those approaches, not as a replacement for them.
We do not publish visit counts, frequency plans, or predicted timelines. Those questions are handled case by case after assessment.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Your first visit
What happens at an initial consultation?
History and assessment. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) listens to your concern, reviews relevant history and prior care, and assesses the neck presentation without assuming every neck-pain pattern is the same condition.
Suitability discussion. You discuss suitability, evidence limits, and whether another pathway should come first or continue alongside cold laser. If care is appropriate, the next step is agreed with you. Where possible, treatment is provided on your first visit.*
Pricing and autonomy. Initial consultation $99. Standard visits $120. Cold laser is private pay and is not covered by private health fund rebates. No lock-in plans. The decision is always yours.
The device. Treatment is delivered with the Multi Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO, included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG 370913). The register entry is a supply listing for the device category. It is not an efficacy endorsement. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
*Where possible, treatment is provided on your first visit. This is subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability, and cold laser may not be suitable for everyone. Individual responses vary.
The evidence, in full
What does the research say?
Systematic reviews and trials have examined low-level laser therapy for neck pain. Findings describe group-level research, not a promise of individual results.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials of LLLT for acute and chronic neck pain. Supports a hedged research claim that LLLT may help some pain outcomes in studied populations.
Study averages are research context only. PMID 19913903
Updated neck-pain review reporting diverse evidence and suggesting LLLT may benefit some chronic neck pain, function or quality-of-life measures, with heterogeneity and a need for larger dosage trials.
Keeps limitations visible. PMID 24155802
Research summaries describe group findings, not a promise of individual results. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Broader care frame
How may cold laser fit with other care?
Options may be complementary. The appropriate route depends on diagnosis, health history, goals and response.
Assessment, diagnosis and referral where indicated. Ask what needs clarification before choosing care.
Movement, load and functional progression. Ask whether a physio pathway should continue alongside PBM.
Assessment, medication discussion and referral where indicated.
One device-based option that may be discussed for selected presentations. Ask how well the evidence fits the diagnosis and wider plan.
Cold laser is one option, not a replacement for medical care. Photobiomodulation does not replace GP care, imaging, medication advice, physiotherapy, exercise guidance, or surgical review when those are clinically appropriate.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Common questions
Chronic neck pain and cold laser, answered.
Can cold laser therapy help chronic neck pain?
Research suggests photobiomodulation may help some pain outcomes for some people with neck pain, including chronic presentations studied in trials and reviews. It does not guarantee relief, and individual responses vary.
Will it replace physiotherapy or medical care?
No. GP advice, physiotherapy, exercise, and medication discussion may all remain relevant. PBM may be considered as a complement to recommended care, not a replacement for it.
How many visits will I need?
That is not estimated in public information. Your presentation, goals, and response need to be assessed before any care plan is discussed. Adelaide Cold Laser does not use lock-in plans.
Is cold laser therapy covered by private health fund rebates?
No. Cold laser therapy at Adelaide Cold Laser is not covered by private health fund rebates. The initial consultation is $99, and standard visits are $120.
What device do you use?
Adelaide Cold Laser uses the Multi Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO, included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG 370913). That register wording is not a claim that the device will produce a particular result for any individual person. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Ready when you are
Would you like to talk it through?
Book an initial consultation to discuss your chronic neck pain presentation, the evidence limits, other care you may need, and whether cold laser is worth considering.
Initial consultation $99 · standard $120 · no lock-in
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
BSc, MChiro (Macquarie University)
Cold Laser: Initial Consultation
$99 · 30 min · Plympton Park
A first cold laser consultation with Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) at 528 Marion Road, Plympton Park.
Your first visit
Book your consultation
- No lock-in plans
- Treatment on your first visit where possible*
- The decision is always yours
Book a Consultation
Prefer to talk first? Call (08) 8297 5277, or send us a message.
Booking a consultation does not mean treatment is suitable or required. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Get in touch
Still weighing it up?
Ask us anything you like about chronic neck pain or neck stiffness, or whether cold laser may be worth discussing. We will do our best to let you know whether it may be a reasonable option for you.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. This is general information, not medical advice. Individual responses vary.