Laser Therapy in Chiropractic Care: Healing with Light
Laser therapy delivers fast, targeted relief and plays a key role in modern chiropractic care. This non-invasive, pain-free treatment uses focused light to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and accelerate healing at the cellular level. Our chiropractors in Bend use it to complement hands-on techniques and support recovery from a wide range of injuries and conditions. With advanced tools like the Medray Laser, laser therapy helps your body heal naturally, safely, and effectively.
What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or cold laser therapy, is a medical treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing. Unlike surgical lasers that cut or burn tissue, therapeutic lasers work at a lower intensity, targeting damaged cells and tissues without causing harm. The light penetrates the skin and interacts with cells to promote cellular regeneration and reduce inflammation.
What Does Laser Therapy Treat?
Deep tissue laser therapy is a versatile treatment that helps relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing for a variety of acute and chronic conditions. Our chiropractors often use it to enhance recovery, improve function, and support long-term wellness across many areas of the body.
- Back and Neck Pain: Laser therapy eases inflammation and muscle tension to relieve pain and restore mobility.
- Arthritis: It reduces joint stiffness and swelling while promoting tissue repair.
- Joint Injuries: Laser therapy supports healing in injured ligaments and joints, improving strength and range of motion.
- Tendonitis and Bursitis: It calms inflammation and speeds recovery in irritated tendons and bursae.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Laser treatment reduces nerve irritation and helps restore wrist and hand function.
- Sciatica: It decreases nerve compression and inflammation to ease radiating leg pain.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Laser therapy relieves heel pain by targeting inflammation in the plantar fascia.
- Sprains and Strains: It accelerates healing of soft tissue injuries while reducing pain and swelling.
- Sports Injuries: Laser therapy helps athletes recover faster from overuse injuries and acute trauma.
What Kind of Laser Therapy Do Chiropractors Use?
At Total Body Chiropractic, our chiropractors use the Medray Quad Class IV Laser. This state-of-the-art therapeutic laser delivers consistent, targeted light at specific wavelengths to maximize tissue repair and pain relief.
The Medray Laser handheld device offers several advantages:
- Precision targeting: Reaches deep tissue layers without damaging the skin.
- Customizable settings: Adapts to the type and severity of the condition being treated.
- Fast results: Many patients feel relief in just a few sessions.
The Medray Laser stands out for its clinical effectiveness and safety, making it a trusted option in chiropractic care.
How Does Laser Therapy Work?
Laser therapy works at the cellular level through a process called photobiomodulation. Here's what happens:
- Light Absorption: The laser emits light energy that is absorbed by mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of cells.
- Increased ATP Production: This boosts the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—energy that cells use for healing the injured area.
- Improved Circulation: Blood flow increases, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues.
- Inflammation Reduction: Laser light helps reduce swelling and pain-causing chemicals.
- Accelerated Repair: Cells regenerate faster, which means quicker healing times.
The process is safe, efficient, and deeply restorative. It not only relieves symptoms but also promotes long-term healing.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Laser Therapy
What does laser therapy feel like? Does it hurt? Most patients feel no pain at all during laser therapy. Some report a mild, soothing warmth in the area being treated. There are no needles, incisions, or discomfort involved.
How many sessions do I need? Treatment plans vary depending on the condition. For acute conditions, 4–6 sessions may be enough. For chronic issues, you might need 10–15 sessions or ongoing maintenance care. Your chiropractor will tailor the plan to your needs.
How long does each session last? A typical laser therapy treatment session lasts 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the severity of the condition.
Are there any side effects? Laser therapy is very safe, and side effects are rare. Occasionally, a patient may feel slight soreness or increased sensitivity after a session—like what you might experience after a workout. This typically fades quickly.
Can laser therapy be used with other chiropractic treatments? Absolutely. Laser therapy works well in combination with chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitative exercises. It enhances your body's response to other treatments and supports overall recovery.
How soon will I feel better? Some patients feel relief after just one session, especially with acute pain. Others may notice improvement after several visits as the healing process unfolds. Better results build over time.
Who shouldn’t get laser therapy? While laser therapy is safe for most people, it’s not recommended for pregnant women (in the abdominal area), individuals with active cancer, or those with certain light sensitivities. Our chiropractors in Bend will review your medical history before starting treatment.
A Bright Future for Healing
Laser therapy represents a cutting-edge approach to chiropractic care - a safe, non-invasive, and highly effective treatment. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply looking to feel and move better, laser light therapy using the Medray Laser can help accelerate your healing and get you back to doing what you love.
If you're curious about how chiropractic laser therapy can enhance your health, talk to our chiropractors in Bend. It may just be the light at the end of your pain tunnel.