Surfing is one of the most exhilarating sports out there. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of carving through a perfect wave or paddling out into the lineup on a crisp morning. But as any seasoned surfer knows, the repetitive paddling, sudden twists, and constant balancing can take a serious toll on your shoulders, knees, and joints.
If you’ve ever dealt with a rotator cuff strain, knee ligament sprain, or chronic joint inflammation, you know how frustrating it is to be stuck on land, watching the waves roll in without you. The good news? Laser therapy is helping surfers recover faster, reduce pain, and get back in the water sooner.
Common Surfing Injuries and How Laser Therapy Helps
1. Rotator Cuff Injuries: The Paddler’s Problem
One of the most common injuries among surfers is rotator cuff strain. Paddling for long periods puts a lot of stress on the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis—the four muscles that make up your rotator cuff. Overuse can lead to inflammation, microtears, and, in severe cases, full-thickness tears that require surgery.
How Laser Therapy Helps:
- Reduces Inflammation: Laser therapy inhibits inflammatory cytokines, helping to calm down swelling in the tendons.
- Accelerates Muscle Repair: The laser boosts collagen production, strengthening the rotator cuff and speeding up healing.
- Improves Range of Motion: By reducing stiffness and pain, laser therapy helps restore normal movement faster.
Example: Imagine you’re paddling hard for a wave, and suddenly, you feel a sharp pain in your shoulder. It worsens over time, making it hard to paddle or even reach for a cup of coffee. Instead of relying on painkillers, you use Handy Cure low-level laser therapy for 10 minutes a day. After a few weeks, the pain subsides, and you regain mobility—without the downtime of corticosteroid injections.
Customer Testimonial:
“I am now using it on strained shoulder muscles with great success. I have for many years used a TENS machine, but this laser is much quicker and lessens the time having to use machines.” – Graeme M.
Pro Tip: Strengthening scapular stabilizers and modifying your paddling technique can help prevent future rotator cuff issues.
2. Knee Ligament Sprains: The Price of Stability
Surfing requires constant knee engagement, especially when maneuvering through powerful waves or landing an air. A sudden twist, hyperextension, or awkward landing can strain or tear the medial collateral ligament (MCL) or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)—two critical stabilizers of the knee.
How Laser Therapy Helps:
- Enhances Ligament Healing: LLLT stimulates fibroblast activity, promoting new tissue growth in ligaments.
- Reduces Pain Naturally: Laser therapy blocks pain receptors, allowing movement with less discomfort.
- Speeds Up Recovery: Many surfers who use laser therapy return to the water 2-3 weeks faster than those using traditional rehab alone.
Example: You’re coming down from a turn and your front foot slips, twisting your knee awkwardly. The next day, it’s swollen and painful to bend. Instead of sitting out for months, you start laser therapy immediately, using 10-minute treatments twice daily. Within a few weeks, your knee feels stronger, and you’re back in the water much sooner than expected.
Pro Tip: Adding balance exercises and single-leg strength training to your routine can protect your knees from future injuries.
3. Joint Inflammation: The Hidden Enemy
Surfers rely heavily on shoulder, knee, and ankle mobility, and years of paddling and carving can lead to chronic joint inflammation. Conditions like bursitis, arthritis, and tendinitis are common among veteran surfers and can make even short sessions unbearable.
How Laser Therapy Helps:
- Restores Joint Mobility: Laser therapy increases synovial fluid production, lubricating the joints.
- Reduces Swelling Without Medication: Unlike NSAIDs, laser therapy targets inflammation at the source without side effects.
- Supports Long-Term Joint Health: Regular laser therapy use has been shown to slow down joint degeneration in athletes.
Example: You love longboard cruising, but lately, your knees feel stiff and swollen after every session. Instead of giving up surfing, you start applying laser therapy to both knees daily. Within weeks, the stiffness fades, and you’re able to surf longer without discomfort.
Pro Tip: Supplementing with omega-3s, turmeric, and collagen can further reduce joint inflammation and enhance the effects of laser therapy.
What the Research Says About Laser Therapy for Surfers
A recent study published in Applied Sciences (Castaldo et al., 2023) explored the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on sports injuries and found significant benefits in pain reduction, inflammation control, and tissue regeneration.
Key Findings from the Study:
- Accelerated Muscle & Ligament Healing: The research demonstrated that LLLT enhances collagen synthesis, which is crucial for repairing injured tendons and ligaments—exactly what surfers need when recovering from rotator cuff strains and knee sprains.
- Reduction in Inflammation: The study found that laser therapy suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to faster recovery from joint and muscle injuries without reliance on painkillers.
- Enhanced Circulation & Cellular Repair: LLLT was shown to increase blood flow to injured areas, improving the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues, speeding up recovery.
- Improved Athletic Performance: Athletes who used LLLT as part of their recovery routine were able to return to their sport faster, with reduced pain and stiffness.
Why This Matters for Surfers:
Since surfing involves repetitive overhead movements, high knee impact, and constant joint stabilization, injuries often involve soft tissue damage, ligament sprains, and chronic inflammation. This study confirms that laser therapy is an effective tool for accelerating healing and reducing pain, making it a valuable recovery aid for surfers dealing with shoulder, knee, and joint injuries.
Top 5 FAQs About Laser Therapy for Surfers
1. How soon will I feel results?
Many surfers report pain relief after just a few sessions. However, for tendon and ligament injuries, consistent use for 4-6 weeks is recommended for full healing.
2. Is laser therapy safe?
Yes! Laser therapy is non-invasive, drug-free, and has no known side effects when used correctly.
3. Can I use laser therapy with other treatments?
Absolutely! Laser therapy works well alongside physiotherapy, massage, and strength training for optimal recovery.
4. Does it work on chronic injuries?
Yes! Even old injuries (like chronic tendinitis or bursitis) can benefit, as laser therapy reduces inflammation and promotes new tissue growth.
5. Which laser therapy device should I use?
For surfers needing a reliable recovery tool, the Handy Cure Low-Level Laser Therapy Device is a great choice.
Recommended Laser Therapy Devices for Surfers
1. Handy Cure Low-Level Laser Therapy Device
Best for: Surfers recovering from shoulder strains, knee injuries, and joint inflammation.
Benefits: Deep tissue healing, inflammation reduction, faster recovery.
View Product
Final Thoughts: Stay in the Water, Not on the Sidelines
Surfing is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life. If injuries are keeping you out of the water, laser therapy can help you heal faster and stay in peak condition. With scientific backing and success stories, it’s becoming an essential recovery tool for surfers everywhere.
Don’t let injuries hold you back—try laser therapy and keep catching waves!
References:
Castaldo, M., De Angelis D’Ossat, A., Gnessi, P., & Galeoto, G. (2023). A Systematic Review on Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome. Applied Sciences, 13(6), 3536. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063536