Laser Physical Therapy

Laser is one of the tools in our manual therapy toolkit, and like every treatment here, it's chosen after testing shows it's the right fit for what's actually happening in the tissue, not applied as a general wellness add-on.

Laser therapy, sometimes called photobiomodulation, uses a handheld device to deliver specific wavelengths of light directly through the skin and into the tissue below. That light is absorbed by cells in the treated area, particularly by structures inside the cell responsible for producing energy.

That absorbed light energy can increase cellular activity in the treated tissue, which supports the repair process at a cellular level rather than just masking pain on the surface. This is part of why laser is used alongside other treatment rather than in place of it.

Different wavelengths and settings penetrate to different depths, so a therapist adjusts the dose depending on whether the target is a superficial structure like a tendon or something deeper like a joint capsule. That decision is based on what the evaluation found, not a single default setting used on every patient.

Treatment is painless. Most patients feel mild warmth over the treated area, and sessions typically run a few minutes per site. There's no downtime, and you can resume normal activity right after treatment. We walk you through what the sensation will feel like before we start and check in with you during the session.

Laser is used for tendon and ligament injuries, joint pain, chronic inflammation, and cases where swelling is slowing progress in a plan of care.

Laser is chosen the same way every treatment here is chosen, based on what your evaluation finds. It's paired with manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and a home program aimed at the specific activity you're working to get back to, and it's adjusted as your numbers change.