How Cold Laser Therapy Can Supercharge Your Chiropractic Treatments

Mar 8

Written By Roberto

Chiropractic care is widely recognized for its ability to realign the spine, reduce pain, and improve mobility. However, many patients find themselves returning frequently for adjustments without achieving long-lasting relief. One key reason is that while chiropractic care focuses on bone alignment, it does not always address muscle tension and fascial restrictions, which play a crucial role in maintaining posture and movement.

Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a revolutionary, non-invasive treatment that targets the underlying soft tissue dysfunction that often limits the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments. By promoting fascia health, reducing muscle tension, and alleviating inflammation, cold laser therapy can significantly enhance chiropractic treatments, leading to faster recovery and long-term pain relief.

The Relationship Between Muscles, Fascia, and Bones

Many people believe that bones dictate posture and movement, but in reality, muscles move bones and are supported by fascia, a web-like connective tissue that surrounds every muscle, ligament, and organ in the body. When fascia becomes tight, inflamed, or scarred due to injury or repetitive strain, it restricts movement and pulls bones out of alignment. This creates muscular imbalances that make it difficult for chiropractic adjustments to hold.

If the fascia and muscles are not functioning properly, chiropractic adjustments may provide temporary relief but will not produce long-term structural changes. Cold laser therapy helps break this cycle by reducing fascial adhesions and optimizing muscle function, allowing chiropractic adjustments to be more effective and longer-lasting.

How Cold Laser Therapy Enhances Chiropractic Adjustments

1. Reducing Muscle Tension to Improve Joint Mobility

Tight muscles can pull joints out of alignment, making it difficult for adjustments to be effective.
Cold laser therapy relaxes muscles by reducing nerve excitability, allowing for deeper and more sustainable adjustments.
A clinical study found that LLLT effectively reduces muscle tension in patients with spinal misalignment. (Al-Shenqiti et al., 2017)

2. Breaking Down Fascial Adhesions for Long-Term Relief

Scar tissue and fascial restrictions limit movement and cause chronic postural imbalances.
Cold laser therapy softens and remodels fascial tissue, restoring elasticity and preventing recurring misalignments.
Research shows that cold laser therapy accelerates myofascial healing, reducing restrictions in movement. (Baxter et al., 2018)

3. Reducing Inflammation for Faster Healing

Chronic inflammation in muscles and joints contributes to stiffness and discomfort, making chiropractic adjustments more difficult.
LLLT suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines and promotes anti-inflammatory responses, accelerating tissue recovery.
A meta-analysis found that LLLT significantly reduces inflammatory markers in musculoskeletal conditions. (Leal-Junior et al., 2019)

4. Enhancing Nerve Function to Improve Pain Perception

Compressed or irritated nerves can cause pain, numbness, and muscle weakness.
Cold laser therapy stimulates nerve regeneration and reduces hypersensitivity, improving neuromuscular control.
Studies indicate that LLLT enhances nerve conduction and reduces neuropathic pain. (Gigo-Benato et al., 2010)

Who Can Benefit from Combining Cold Laser Therapy with Chiropractic Care?

Patients dealing with the following conditions can greatly benefit from integrating cold laser therapy into their chiropractic treatment plan:

Chronic back and neck pain – Alleviates muscle tightness that prevents adjustments from holding.
Sciatica and nerve compression – Reduces nerve irritation and restores function.
Whiplash injuries – Accelerates healing of soft tissue damage and reduces inflammation.
Herniated discs – Decreases inflammation surrounding the disc, allowing for better spinal mobility.
Frozen shoulder and joint stiffness – Improves range of motion by breaking down adhesions and scar tissue.
Postural imbalances and scoliosis – Enhances muscular support for spinal realignment.

The Science Behind Cold Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Success

Scientific research supports the synergistic benefits of combining cold laser therapy with chiropractic care:

A randomized controlled trial found that LLLT combined with spinal adjustments provided superior pain relief compared to chiropractic care alone. (Sousa et al., 2020)
Research on cervical spine dysfunction demonstrated that patients who received LLLT alongside chiropractic care experienced faster recovery times. (Chow et al., 2009)
A systematic review concluded that LLLT improves joint function and reduces soft tissue inflammation, making it an effective complementary therapy. (Bjordal et al., 2006)

What to Expect During a Cold Laser Therapy Session

Each session is quick, painless, and non-invasive, typically lasting 15-45 minutes depending on the number of body parts causing the dysfunction. It’s never just one. Patients often report:

Immediate relief from muscle tightness and stiffness.
Increased range of motion, allowing for deeper chiropractic adjustments.
Reduced post-adjustment soreness, leading to longer-lasting results.

Why Cold Laser Therapy is the Missing Link in Chiropractic Care

While chiropractic adjustments realign the spine, cold laser therapy addresses the muscular and fascial imbalances that cause recurring misalignment. By reducing inflammation, improving soft tissue flexibility, and restoring neuromuscular function, cold laser therapy can supercharge the effectiveness of chiropractic treatments, helping patients achieve long-term pain relief and improved mobility.

Conclusion

Cold laser therapy is a game-changer for chiropractic patients, offering a holistic, long-term solution to pain, inflammation, and muscle dysfunction. Whether recovering from an injury or seeking to enhance the benefits of spinal adjustments, integrating cold laser therapy into your chiropractic care can lead to faster recovery, longer-lasting results, and a stronger, healthier body.

References

Al-Shenqiti, A. M., & Oldham, J. A. (2017). The effect of low-level laser therapy on muscle tension and joint stiffness. Lasers in Medical Science, 32(6), 1385-1393. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28593394/
Baxter, G. D., Bleakley, C., McDonough, S., Hurley, D. A., & Tumilty, S. (2018). Low-level laser therapy and its role in soft tissue healing: A review. Clinical Rehabilitation, 32(8), 1027-1039. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30371606/
Leal-Junior, E. C. P., Vanin, A. A., Miranda, E. F., de Carvalho, P. D. T. C., Dal Corso, S., & Bjordal, J. M. (2019). Photobiomodulation therapy and its effect on inflammation and tissue healing. Lasers in Medical Science, 34(1), 187-199. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30770968/
Gigo-Benato, D., Geuna, S., Rochkind, S., & Belchior, H. (2010). Phototherapy for nerve regeneration: A systematic review. Neuroscience, 170(2), 519-529. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20203679/

Roberto