Low-Level Laser Therapy

What is Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)?

Benicia Wellness Center currently offers Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to our regular chiropractic treatments. If you suffer from low back pain, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and/or chronic neck and shoulder pain, BWC is offering a non-invasive treatment that uses a specialized laser to induce temporary chemical changes in your cells. These chemical changes promote healing, increase cellular energy production, disrupt inflammation processes, and increase production of stem cells. LLLT contributes to a variety of complicated healing processes that scientists are still studying in a process called photobiomodulation-- which is a modification of biological processes using light. 

During your regular chiropractic treatment, Dr. McConnell will let you know if she thinks your symptoms could be improved by LLLT. If you are interested, she will use a handheld laser-emitting device to direct the laser to the area(s) of your body that’s causing your pain. The wavelength utilized by LLLT is much smaller than lasers used for other medical purposes, meaning you will not feel the laser because it does not produce heat, which contributes to the term “cold” laser for this therapy. For many patients, the effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy can be felt almost instantly. For those with persistent pain, LLLT treatments are a non-invasive, painless, and effective tool to achieve pain relief.

How Does LLLT Work?

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been investigated by scientists for well over 40 years. Their investigations thus far have revealed that LLLT is a unique pain-relief modality that induces a phenomenon called Photobiomodulation (PBM) in the patient’s body. When an LLLT device delivers a laser to the skin, the photons of light are able to pass through the skin and stimulate the mitochondria inside the targeted cells. This process results in the modulation of chemical processes inside and around the cells – hence photobiomodulation: modulation or modification of biological processes using light.

Is LLLT Safe?

There are over 2,000 peer-reviewed studies that overwhelmingly confirm the safety of Low-Level Laser Therapy. The photobiomodulation process does not affect healthy cells and there are no known long-term, negative side effects of LLLT. There are very few contraindications that will be reviewed with you by Dr. McConnell before treating you with this device. Considering how non-invasive LLLT treatments are, LLLT’s efficacy, as well as its safety profile, many scientists and physicians enthusiastically advocate for LLLT as a first-line therapy for chronic pain.