How Laser Therapy Can Supercharge Your Chiropractic Treatments

Chiropractic care is a powerful tool for restoring alignment, relieving pain, and improving mobility. But when paired with Class IV laser therapy, its benefits can be dramatically amplified. At Healios Laser Therapy, we specialize in combining high-powered infrared laser treatments with chiropractic protocols to accelerate healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance neuromuscular function.

If you’re receiving chiropractic care in San Diego—or considering it—here’s how Class IV laser therapy can take your results to the next level.

What Is Class IV Laser Therapy?

Class IV laser therapy uses high-powered infrared light to penetrate deep into tissue—up to 7 inches—and stimulate cellular repair. Unlike cold laser therapy (also known as low-level laser therapy or LLLT), Class IV lasers deliver up to 72 watts of energy, making them ideal for treating muscle, joint, nerve, and connective tissue conditions.

The therapy works through photobiomodulation, a biological process that:

• Increases ATP production in mitochondria
• Enhances blood flow and oxygenation
• Reduces inflammation and edema
• Promotes collagen synthesis and tissue regeneration
• Modulates nerve signaling and pain perception

Sessions are non-invasive, drug-free, and require no downtime. Many patients report noticeable improvement in pain and mobility within 1–4 sessions.

Why Combine Laser Therapy with Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic adjustments restore alignment and improve joint function. But when inflammation, scar tissue, or nerve irritation are present, adjustments alone may not be enough. That’s where Class IV laser therapy comes in.

1. Reducing Inflammation Before Adjustments

Laser therapy calms inflamed tissues, making chiropractic adjustments easier and more effective. By reducing swelling and muscle tension, laser sessions prepare the body for realignment and reduce post-adjustment soreness.

Studies show that laser therapy suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6, which are often elevated in patients with spinal misalignments and joint dysfunction (Alghamdi et al., 2018).

2. Accelerating Soft Tissue Healing

Chiropractic care often addresses joint and spinal issues, but surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons also need support. Class IV laser therapy stimulates collagen production and tissue repair, helping heal strains, sprains, and microtears that may be contributing to misalignment.

Research confirms that laser therapy improves tendon healing and reduces recovery time in musculoskeletal injuries (Huang et al., 2019).

3. Enhancing Neuromuscular Function

Laser therapy improves nerve conduction and reduces pain signaling, which can enhance proprioception and motor control. This helps patients maintain proper posture and movement patterns after chiropractic adjustments.

A 2021 meta-analysis found that laser therapy improves neuromuscular coordination and reduces pain in patients with chronic spinal conditions (Jang et al., 2021).

4. Improving Range of Motion and Flexibility

By softening scar tissue and reducing muscle guarding, laser therapy helps restore mobility in restricted joints. This complements chiropractic work by allowing deeper, more lasting adjustments.

Clinical observations at Healios show that patients receiving laser therapy before chiropractic sessions often experience greater range of motion and longer-lasting relief.

Conditions That Benefit Most from Combined Care

Pairing Class IV laser therapy with chiropractic care is especially effective for:

• Sciatica and nerve compression – Reduces inflammation around nerve roots and improves spinal alignment
• Arthritis and joint degeneration – Eases stiffness and supports joint mobility
• Whiplash and neck pain – Accelerates soft tissue healing and reduces muscle guarding
• Low back pain and disc issues – Enhances spinal decompression and tissue repair
• Shoulder, hip, and knee dysfunction – Improves joint mechanics and reduces compensatory strain

Whether you’re recovering from injury or managing chronic pain, this combination offers a holistic, non-invasive path to healing.

Scientific Evidence Supporting the Synergy

Several peer-reviewed studies support the combined use of laser therapy and chiropractic care:

• A randomized trial found that patients receiving laser therapy alongside spinal manipulation reported faster pain relief and improved function compared to manipulation alone (Glazov et al., 2014).
• A systematic review concluded that laser therapy enhances outcomes in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, especially when paired with manual therapy (Leal-Junior et al., 2019).
• Clinical data from multidisciplinary practices show that laser therapy reduces post-adjustment soreness and improves long-term spinal stability (Marcos et al., 2018).

These findings confirm that laser therapy is not just a supplement—it’s a strategic enhancement to chiropractic care.

Final Thoughts

Chiropractic care realigns the body. Class IV laser therapy heals it from the inside out. Together, they offer a powerful, non-invasive solution for pain relief, mobility restoration, and long-term wellness.

At Healios Laser Therapy, we work closely with chiropractors and patients to design integrated care plans that maximize results. If you’re receiving chiropractic treatment—or considering it—inquire about our new client specials and how laser therapy can supercharge your recovery.

References

• Alghamdi, K. M., Kumar, A., & Moussa, N. A. (2018). Low-level laser therapy: A useful technique for enhancing tissue repair and reducing inflammation. Lasers in Medical Science, 33(4), 889–900. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29313793/
• Glazov, G., Yelland, M., & Emery, J. (2014). Low-level laser therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 32(9), 471–479. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25268115/
• Huang, Y. Y., et al. (2019). Effects of low-level laser therapy on tendon healing: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 37(3), 622–630. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30328234/
• Jang, H. J., Lee, H. S., & Cho, S. H. (2021). The effects of low-level laser therapy on musculoskeletal pain: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Pain Research & Management, 2021, 1–12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33728242/
• Leal-Junior, E. C. P., et al. (2019). Photobiomodulation therapy in skeletal muscle injury: A systematic review. Lasers in Medical Science, 34(6), 1171–1185. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30806977/
• Marcos, R. L., et al. (2018). The influence of photobiomodulation therapy on fibrosis and inflammation. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 50(1), 1–10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29402665/