Cold Laser Therapy in
Pasadena, CA
Healing takes time. But sometimes your body needs a catalyst — something that accelerates the repair process without adding more stress to an already burdened system.
Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. At Innate Family Chiropractic, we offer cold laser therapy as a complementary modality alongside our chiropractic adjustments — giving your body another powerful tool for recovery.
What Is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold laser therapy uses low-intensity light (typically in the red and near-infrared spectrum) directed at specific areas of the body. Unlike surgical lasers, cold lasers don't cut or heat tissue. Instead, they deliver light energy at wavelengths that are absorbed by cells, stimulating mitochondrial activity and accelerating the body's natural repair mechanisms.
The term "cold" refers to the fact that the laser operates below the threshold that would produce thermal damage — making it completely painless and non-invasive.
How Cold Laser Works
When the photons from a cold laser enter your tissue, they interact with the mitochondria — the energy-producing structures inside every cell. This interaction stimulates a process called photobiomodulation, which increases cellular energy production (ATP), promotes tissue repair and regeneration, reduces inflammation at the cellular level, and modulates pain signaling.
The result is accelerated healing, reduced swelling, and decreased pain — all without drugs, injections, or surgery. The effects are cumulative, with each session building on the last.
Conditions Cold Laser Helps
Cold laser therapy has been studied extensively and is used for a wide range of conditions. At our office, we most commonly use it for soft tissue injuries including sprains, strains, and muscle tears, joint pain and stiffness, neck pain and back pain as an adjunct to adjustments, headaches and migraines with a muscular or inflammatory component, post-surgical healing, nerve pain and neuropathy, and chronic inflammatory conditions.
Cold laser therapy is particularly effective when paired with chiropractic adjustments. While adjustments correct structural alignment and restore nervous system function, cold laser supports the surrounding soft tissue — reducing inflammation and accelerating the healing process in areas that have been under chronic stress.
What to Expect During Treatment
Cold laser sessions are quick, painless, and relaxing. Dr. Chris or Dr. Adana will position the laser device over the targeted area and apply the light for a prescribed duration — typically a few minutes per site.
You won't feel heat, pressure, or discomfort. Some patients report a mild warming or tingling sensation, but most feel nothing during the treatment itself. The effects become apparent over the hours and days following the session, as cellular repair processes activate and inflammation decreases.
The number of sessions needed depends on the condition being treated. Acute injuries may respond within a few sessions. Chronic conditions typically benefit from a series of treatments over several weeks, often combined with yourregular chiropractic care for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Cold laser therapy is used to reduce pain and inflammation, accelerate tissue healing, and support recovery from injuries, chronic pain conditions, and post-surgical healing. It works at the cellular level to promote the body's natural repair processes.
-
No. Cold laser therapy is completely painless. The laser operates at intensities below the threshold for thermal damage, so there's no heat, cutting, or discomfort. Most patients feel nothing during the session.
-
It depends on the condition. Acute issues may improve in three to five sessions. Chronic conditions often benefit from six to twelve sessions or more. Dr. Chris or Dr. Adana will recommend a treatment plan based on your specific needs.
-
Yes. Cold laser therapy has been used clinically for decades and has an excellent safety profile. It's non-invasive, drug-free, and has no known significant side effects. It's safe for most patients, though it's not typically used directly over active cancers or during pregnancy without physician clearance.