Laser and light therapy for maternal and infant health: A clinical perspective

Women’s health during the perinatal and postpartum period is all about transitions, and those transitions are packed with musculoskeletal stress, inflammatory processes, tissue healing demands and neurophysiological adaptation.  

Chiropractors can be front-line providers supporting moms and infants through these shifts, whether through chiropractic care alone or in combination with laser and light therapy.  

Understanding photobiomodulation therapy  

Photobiomodulation (PBM) refers to the therapeutic use of red and near-infrared light to influence cellular function. At the tissue level, PBM enhances mitochondrial activity, increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, improves microcirculation, modulates inflammation and supports tissue repair.^1,2 These effects are particularly relevant in postpartum care, where soft tissue trauma, inflammatory responses and neuromuscular strain are common.  

Birth trauma and postpartum recovery  

 Vaginal delivery, prolonged labor, assisted delivery (forceps or vacuum), and cesarean section can all result in varying degrees of birth trauma. For mothers, this may include perineal strain, pelvic floor irritation, abdominal wall trauma and lumbar or sacroiliac dysfunction. For infants, birth trauma can manifest as cranial molding, cervical strain, clavicular irritation or soft-tissue inflammation.   

Beyond mechanical strain, birth stress can also influence autonomic nervous system regulation. Heightened sympathetic activation in both mother and infant may affect muscle tone, tissue sensitivity, hormonal signaling (including cortisol) and early physiologic regulation during the postpartum period.  

Laser therapy can be applied safely to affected maternal tissues to reduce inflammation, support wound healing (including cesarean incisions once cleared) and improve local circulation.^7,8 In infants, gentle, low-dose laser protocols may be used adjunctively to support tissue recovery in areas of strain, always with conservative parameters and strict eye-safety protocols.

As comfort improves and the body feels more regulated, babies are often better able to open wide, latch more easily and move the tongue and jaw with greater ease during feeding. This same sense of comfort can support freer whole-body movement, allowing infants to explore the space around them with greater ease. When combined with appropriate chiropractic  evaluation and care, laser therapy can accelerate recovery while maintaining a non-pharmacologic approach.

Breastfeeding pain and nipple tissue healing

Cracked or painful nipples are a frequent reason mothers stop breastfeeding. Repetitive mechanical stress, suboptimal latching and tissue ischemia contribute to fissuring and delayed healing. Supporting both maternal tissue healing and infant feeding mechanics plays an important role in improving comfort and making breastfeeding sustainable. Laser therapy can help; it has been shown to support epithelial repair, reduce pain and modulate local inflammation.^4,5,6

Clinically, laser treatment to affected breast tissue can reduce discomfort, often within one to two sessions, allowing mothers to continue breastfeeding while underlying biomechanical or latch issues are addressed. Importantly, light therapy does not introduce chemicals or residues that could come into contact with the infant and does not interfere with milk safety when used appropriately.

Mastitis, inflammation and supportive care

Mastitis is characterized by localized inflammation, pain, swelling and sometimes systemic symptoms. While bacterial infection may be present in some cases, many presentations are inflammatory or obstructive in nature. Laser therapy can play a valuable adjunctive role in treating mastitis by improving lymphatic drainage, reducing inflammatory mediators and enhancing immune response at the tissue level.^1,3   

When applied early, laser therapy may help prevent inflamed tissue from progressing to abscess formation and reduce the need for antibiotics, while respecting medical referral guidelines when systemic infection is suspected. From a chiropractic standpoint, addressing cervical and thoracic spine biomechanics and rib mobility supports optimal breast drainage.  

Breastfeeding challenges  

Infant latching difficulties can involve multiple factors, including oral motor coordination, cranial nerve function, cervical mobility and oral soft-tissue restrictions, as well as maternal factors that influence milk production, flow and overall feeding environment. In collaboration with providers trained in infant feeding dynamics, such as those following protocols outlined by the Infant Frenectomy Protocol, laser therapy can support tissue comfort and neuromuscular adaptation.   

Laser therapy may be used adjunctively in infants with oral tension, post-procedural discomfort (such as after frenectomy when clinically indicated) or cervical strain that may compromise latch quality and suck coordination. The goal is not to replace manual or functional interventions, but to enhance comfort and recovery in support of more efficient feeding.¹⁰

Collaborative, family-centered care models  

Sustained forward head posture, repetitive holding patterns and prolonged feeding sessions can place significant strain on a new mother’s cervical spine, upper thoracic region and shoulder girdle. Many breastfeeding mothers present with neck pain, cervicogenic headaches and scapular discomfort. Lactation professionals, such as International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), can offer guidance addressing feeding positions while appropriate musculoskeletal care can reduce ongoing strain.   

Laser therapy is particularly effective in these cases due to its ability to reduce myofascial trigger-point sensitivity and improve local circulation.^1,2 When combined with chiropractic adjustments, ergonomic coaching and rehabilitative exercises, laser therapy can shorten recovery time and improve tolerance to the physical demands of early motherhood.⁹  

Final thoughts

Women and infants can thrive under collaborative, conservative healthcare models. Laser and light therapy align well with chiropractic philosophy: They are noninvasive, drug-free and supportive of the body’s inherent healing capacity. Laser and light therapy are not stand-alone solutions, but when integrated into comprehensive chiropractic care, they offer meaningful benefits to mothers and infants navigating the challenges of birth, breastfeeding and postpartum recovery.  

By understanding appropriate indications, dosing principles and safety considerations, chiropractors can responsibly incorporate laser therapy into women’s healthcare while reinforcing their role as essential providers in family-centered wellness.  

Phil Harrington, DC, CMLSO, FASLMS, is recognized worldwide as a leading expert in Class IV laser therapy. He has dedicated his career to researching, promoting and refining its use, helping establish it as a scientifically credible and effective treatment modality. For more information, visit summuslaser.com. 

Chelsea Pinto, DDS, CLC, is a Los Angeles County educator and dentist who has dedicated her practice to focus solely on Infant/Toddler Tongue and Lip Ties. Pinto earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the USC Ostrow School of Dentistry and completed a post-graduate General Residency Program. She has successfully treated thousands of babies with oral restrictions and proudly provides families with the knowledge to support their child’s oral motor skills, including appropriate therapeutic and feeding support referrals for an individualized and comprehensive approach. For more information, visit drchelseapinto.com. 

References  

1. de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR. Proposed mechanisms ofphotobiomodulation or low-level light therapy. IEEE J Sel Top Quantum Electron. 2016;22(3):348-364. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28070154/. Accessed May 19. 2026. 

2. Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and mitochondrial redox signaling inphotobiomodulation. Photochem Photobiol. 2018;94(2):199-212. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29164625/. Accessed May 19, 2026. 

3. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum (Revised 2022). Breastfeed Med. 2022;17(5):360-376.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35576513/. Accessed May 19, 2026. 

4. Douglas P, et al. Rethinking lactation-related nipple pain and damage. J Clin Med. 2022;11(7):1917. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35343816/. Accessed May 19, 2026. 

5. Coca KP, et al. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in relieving nipple pain in breastfeeding women: A triple-blind randomized controlled trial. Pain Manag Nurs. 2016;17(5):386-392.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27363734/. Accessed May 19, 2026. 

6. de Oliveira Alves R, et al. Photobiomodulation as a promising approach in the management of nipple lesions during breastfeeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Lasers Med Sci. 2025 Jun 12;40(1):276. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40500396/.Accessed May 19, 2026.  

7. Dehghanpour HR, et al. Evaluation of photobiomodulation effect on cesarean-sectioned wound healing: a clinical study. Lasers Med Sci. 2023 Aug 1;38(1):171. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37526765/. Accessed May 19, 2026. 

8. Khaled M, et al. Photobiomodulation as part of multimodal analgesia to improve pain relief and wound healing after elective caesarean section: A protocol for randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2024 Dec 26;19(12):e0314010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39724020/. Accessed May 19, 2026.  

9. International Headache Society. ICHD-3: Cervicogenic headache diagnostic criteria. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1-211. https://ichd-3.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/The-International-Classification-of-Headache-Disorders-3rd-Edition-2018.pdf. Accessed May 19, 2026.

10. Geddes DT, et al. Tongue movement and intra-oral vacuum in breastfeeding infants. Early Hum Dev. 2008 Jul;84(7):471-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18262736/. Accessed May 19, 2026.