From pain relief to peak performance

Why every DC should be using lasers

Chiropractic care is already proven to enhance sports performance. But what if you could take it even further? Most DCs and patients think of lasers as solely for pain relief and injury repair, but research shows they can enhance muscle performance, recovery and even cognitive function.

Laser therapy: The missing link in chiropractic care

If you treat athletes—whether elite competitors or weekend warriors on the pickleball court or golf course—imagine how many would love a treatment that enhances their performance. Many of our patients come in weekly for “tune-ups” to improve their batting, pitch velocity, running speed and even field of vision.

They already refer their teammates for injury recovery, but performance enhancement keeps them coming regularly and their coaches sending them—without us having to “close” them on the idea or solicit referrals.

The science behind laser-enhanced performance

Chiropractic has been clearly shown to enhance sports performance, and many pro athletes swear by it.¹ But did you know that Class II and III lasers have been scientifically shown to enhance performance at levels similar to those of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs)?

A study published in the journal Biophotonics found that key performance metrics—including torque, recovery time, muscle mass and inflammatory markers—improved to a PED-like level when lasers were applied before or after training.²

Best of all, researchers noted the advantage was so significant they questioned whether lasers should even be allowed in international competition. Who doesn’t want a legal, unfair advantage like that?

Why more DCs should use lasers

Despite these compelling benefits, a survey by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners found only around 25% of DCs use lasers. Among those who do, many underutilize their devices and don’t realize their full potential for patient care.

At the same time, public interest in photobiomodulation and red light therapy is exploding.³ As of January 2025:

• Web searches for photobiomodulation have increased 37%.
• Web searches for red light therapy have increased 79%.
• The market for these treatments is projected to grow to $455 million by 2031.⁴

Have you figured out how to integrate this technology into your practice yet? Early adopters will be at a distinct advantage.

Beyond pain relief: Additional patient benefits

Patients aren’t just looking for pain relief—they want to optimize their health and cognitive function. Laser therapy has been shown to:

• Enhance cognitive function, no matter where on the body it is applied.
• Address long COVID symptoms, such as brain fog and muscle pain.⁵
• Support clearing protein tangles involved in neurodegeneration, a rising global concern.^6,7,8
• Provide support for vaccine- and infection-related inflammatory responses, as evidenced by the recent Yale Listen to Immune, Symptom and Treatment Experiences Now (LISTEN) study.⁹
• Modulate cytokines, promote stem cell production and enhance blood flow—all of which improve patient outcomes and make chiropractic adjustments easier.

Real-world results: Laser therapy in action

In 2023, I was invited to the Los Angeles Lakers’ training facility to demonstrate how high-energy Class II violet, green and red lasers could help their players recover more quickly and enhance performance.

As I was talking to the trainers, NBA champion Kurt Rambis walked in. Skeptical, he asked me to explain the lasers. Instead of telling him, I showed him.

He had an old shoulder surgery that left him with daily throbbing pain and reduced range of motion. After just 10 minutes under the laser, his throbbing pain was gone and his mobility was significantly improved.

Seeing the immediate results firsthand, Rambis was blown away. He immediately had me work with the trainers, proving once again that when patients experience laser therapy, they don’t need to be convinced—they feel the difference.

Laser therapy’s impact on elite athletes

Strength coach Randy Flores had a knee issue that limited his ability to squat heavy weights. After a single laser session, he later reported lifting with zero pain.

Encouraged by these results, the Lakers arranged a trial with CrossFit Games athlete Bethany Flores. She had suffered from chronic low back pain since age 12 and had tried everything—from chiropractic to injections to red light therapy—without success.

After eight weeks of laser therapy, her pain level dropped to zero. Not only did she return to competition, but she finished 15th in the world at the CrossFit Games.

In 2024, Flores continued using laser therapy—not just for pain relief, but for performance enhancement. When she skipped laser sessions, she noticed her performance metrics dropped. With regular laser therapy, she finished first in the US and fourth in the world. Today, she shares her experience with her 500,000 Instagram followers, driving demand for DCs who offer laser therapy.¹⁰

Chiropractic and laser therapy: The future of sports performance

Michael Treyford, DC, of Apex Brain Centers in Asheville, North Carolina, was recently featured on ABC News for his work using green, violet and red lasers transcranially to help Olympic gold medalist Manteo Mitchell prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics.¹¹

By combining chiropractic, functional neurology and laser therapy, Treyford has helped Mitchell achieve faster reaction times and better overall performance—even as an older Olympian. The implications for all patients, not just elite athletes, are staggering.

The role of laser therapy in mitochondrial health

Mitochondrial health is a growing focus in medicine. Emerging research suggests that:

• Long COVID may stem from mitochondrial dysfunction.¹²
• Common medications (statins, antidepressants, pain relievers) and food additives may worsen dysfunction.

Red and infrared lasers support complex IV of the electron transport chain, but few realize that:

• Violet lasers support complexes I and II.
• Green lasers support complex III.

This combination maximizes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, fueling energy, performance and recovery.

Final thoughts: Why you should start using lasers now

Laser therapy isn’t just for pain relief—it’s a game-changer for performance, recovery, cognition and overall health. With public interest in light-based therapies skyrocketing and the market expanding, early adoption will set your practice apart.

If you want to enhance patient outcomes, increase referrals and future-proof your practice, now is the time to integrate laser therapy. The research is clear, the results are undeniable and the demand is growing. Are you ready to give your patients the “unfair advantage” they deserve?

Kirk Gair, DC, has been using high-energy, non-thermal lasers since 2004 and teaching doctors internationally and researching lasers since 2017. His peer-reviewed research on green and violet lasers led to the first FDA clearance for a combination laser of those wavelengths for chronic neck and shoulder pain. He has worked with professional athletes, celebrities, Olympic gold medalists and world record holders; he has also been featured in Kharrazian Institute for Functional Medicine and in Izabella Wentz’s New York Times best-selling book, “Hashimoto’s Protocol.” He has a private practice near Los Angeles, and a highly interactive and free Facebook group to help laser practitioners, Dr. Gair’s Laser Therapy Treatment and Marketing Secrets.

References

1. Lin AFC, et al. Unlocking athletic potential: The integration of chiropractic care into the sports industry and its impact on the performance and health of athletes and economic growth in China and Hong Kong. Cureus. 2023;15(4):e37157. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37034139/ . Accessed March 5, 2025.
2. Ferraresi C, et al. Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in performance? J. Biophoton. 2016;9:1273-1299. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.201600176. Accessed March 5, 2025.
3. Red light therapy. How fast is red light therapy growing in popularity? Glimpse. https://meetglimpse.com/trend/red-light-therapy/ . Accessed March 5, 2025.
4. Photobiomodulation market to reach USD 455.1million by 2031, says Coherent Market Insights. December 2024. [Press release.] BioSpace. https://www.biospace.com/pressreleases/photobiomodulation-market-to-reach-usd-455-1million-by-2031-says-coherent-market-insights. Accessed March 5, 2025.
5. Hamblin MR. Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. BBA Clin. 2016;6:113-124. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27752476/ . Accessed March 5, 2025.
6. Abijo A, et al. The beneficial role of photobiomodulation in neurodegenerative diseases. Biomedicines. 2023;11(7):1828. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37509468/ . Accessed March 5, 2025.
7. Vojdani A, et al. Reaction of human monoclonal antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 proteins with tissue antigens: Implications for autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol. 2021;11:617089. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33584709/ . Accessed March 5, 2025.
8. Kamani E, Razzaghi M. Application of laser blue light with a wavelength of 405 nm in the treatment of patients with the virus COVID-19. J Lasers Med Sci. 2020;11(4):361-362.PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33425284/ . Accessed March 5, 2025.
9. Hashmi JT, et al. Role of low-level laser therapy in neurorehabilitation. 2010;2(12 Suppl 2):S292-305. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21172691/ . Accessed March 5, 2025.
10. Sammons T, et al. Assessing the impact of high photon energy wavelengths on the treatment of chronic neck and shoulder pain. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2023;2023:6672019. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37829623/ . Accessed March 5, 2025.
11. Womack C. Olympian Manteo Mitchell embracing brain training in preparations for winter games. June 2024. https://wlos.com/sports/game-changer/olympian-manteo-mitchell-embracing-brain-training-in-preparations-for-winter-games. Accessed March 5, 2025.
12. Lockler M. Immune markers of post-vaccination syndrome indicate future research directions. February 2025. Yale News. https://news.yale.edu/2025/02/19/immune-markers-post-vaccination-syndrome-indicate-future-research-directions. Accessed March 5, 2025.