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Nerve inflammation plays an important role in the development and progression of neuropathic pain after chronic constrictive injury (CCI). Recent studies have indicated that hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) is crucial in inflammation. Low‐level laser therapy has been used in treating musculoskeletal pain, but rare data directly support its use for neuropathic pain. We investigated the effects of low‐level laser on the accumulation of HIF‐1α, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in controlling neuropathic pain, as well as on the activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in promoting functional recovery in a rat CCI model. CCI was induced by placing four loose ligatures around the sciatic nerve of rats. Treatments of low‐level laser (660 nm, 9 J/cm²) or sham irradiation (0 J/cm²) were performed at the CCI sites for 7 consecutive days. The effects of …