Cold Laser Therapy (Class IV)

What Is Cold Laser Therapy?

Cold laser therapy — also called photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) — is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate tissue and trigger the body’s natural healing processes at the cellular level. Despite the name “cold laser,” the treatment is not about temperature — it simply means the laser does not generate heat sufficient to cut or burn tissue. Instead, it delivers precise photonic energy into damaged or inflamed tissue, stimulating cellular repair from within.

At SpringBack Chiropractic in Surprise, AZ, we use a Class IV therapeutic laser — the most powerful class available for clinical use. Class IV lasers are significantly more effective than Class III (lower-powered) devices because they can deliver therapeutic doses of light energy to deep tissues that simply cannot be reached with lesser equipment. This makes Class IV laser therapy effective for conditions involving muscles, joints, spinal discs, and deep connective tissue.

How Does Cold Laser Therapy Work?

The science behind cold laser therapy is rooted in cellular biology. When photons from the therapeutic laser penetrate tissue, they are absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase — an enzyme in the mitochondria (the energy-producing organelles of your cells). This absorption triggers a cascade of biological effects:

1. Increased ATP production — cells produce more energy, accelerating their repair and regeneration processes
2. Reduced oxidative stress — the laser modulates the inflammatory process, reducing the chemical cascade that causes swelling and pain
3. Improved circulation — laser therapy promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and vasodilation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to healing tissue
4. Nerve regeneration — laser light stimulates Schwann cells and promotes the regrowth of damaged nerve tissue
5. Collagen synthesis — fibroblasts are activated to produce collagen and rebuild damaged structures

The cumulative result is faster healing, less pain, and better functional recovery than the body typically achieves on its own — without any medications, injections, or surgery.

Conditions Treated With Cold Laser at SpringBack Chiropractic

Cold laser therapy at SpringBack Chiropractic is used to treat a broad range of acute and chronic conditions, including:

• Low back pain and disc herniations — often combined with ABC adjustments for comprehensive spinal care
• Sciatica — reduces nerve inflammation and promotes healing along the sciatic nerve pathway
• Neck pain and cervicogenic headaches
• Shoulder pain — rotator cuff injuries, bursitis, tendinitis
• Knee pain — osteoarthritis, patellar tendinitis, meniscus injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
• Sports injuries — strains, sprains, muscle tears
• Neuropathy and nerve damage — especially effective for peripheral neuropathy in the hands and feet
• Arthritis — reduces joint inflammation and slows cartilage breakdown
• Wound healing and post-surgical recovery
• Fibromyalgia — systemic laser protocols to reduce widespread inflammation

Cold Laser vs. Pain Medications

Pain medications — whether over-the-counter NSAIDs, prescription opioids, or corticosteroid injections — work by suppressing the body’s pain signals. They do not repair damaged tissue. In many cases, long-term NSAID use actually inhibits tissue healing by blocking prostaglandins that are required for the repair process.

Cold laser therapy takes the opposite approach. It works with your body’s natural healing mechanisms, not against them. It reduces pain by resolving the underlying tissue damage that is generating the pain signal — not by blocking the signal artificially. Patients who choose cold laser therapy typically find that their relief is more lasting and their tissue integrity improves over time, rather than degrading as it often does under long-term medication use.

There are also none of the risks associated with medications: no GI irritation, no liver or kidney burden, no dependency risk, and no interaction with other treatments.

What to Expect During a Cold Laser Session

Cold laser sessions at SpringBack Chiropractic are comfortable, quick, and non-invasive. The handheld laser device is moved slowly over the target area for several minutes per treatment zone. Most patients feel a gentle warmth or tingling sensation, but no pain. Each session typically lasts 10-20 minutes depending on the size and depth of the area being treated.

Most conditions respond best to a series of treatments rather than a single session. Dr. Bain will recommend a treatment schedule based on your specific condition, the severity of tissue involvement, and how your body is responding. Many patients notice significant improvement within 3-6 sessions, with continuing improvement as the treatment series progresses.

Cold laser is frequently combined with ABC chiropractic adjustments at SpringBack Chiropractic — with structural correction addressing the mechanical cause of your condition and laser therapy accelerating healing of the damaged soft tissue.

Safe for All Ages

Class IV cold laser therapy is FDA-cleared and has an excellent safety profile. It is safe for children, adults, and seniors. The only standard precautions are eye protection during treatment (provided) and avoiding direct treatment over active cancer sites. There are no known side effects when administered by a trained clinician.

Get Relief Without Drugs or Surgery

SpringBack Chiropractic is proud to offer Class IV cold laser therapy to patients throughout Surprise, Peoria, Sun City, Glendale, Goodyear, and the surrounding West Valley. If you are dealing with pain, injury, or a chronic condition that hasn’t responded to other treatments, cold laser therapy may be exactly what your body needs.

Call us at (623) 294-6564 or request your appointment online to find out if cold laser therapy is right for you. Faster healing starts here.