Laser Therapy · LLLT and Kineon
Low level laser therapy delivers specific wavelengths of light into tissue to give your cells more energy to repair. It is painless, drug free, and works underneath the pain rather than over it.
How It Works
Laser therapy, also called photobiomodulation, sends red and near infrared light to a depth where it reaches the mitochondria inside your cells. Mitochondria are where the body produces ATP, the fuel every cell uses to function and repair.
When that light is absorbed by an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase, mitochondria produce more ATP. Cells in the treated area suddenly have more energy to do their job. The result is faster tissue repair, lower inflammation, better local circulation, and reduced pain signaling.
We use both clinical low level laser and the Kineon targeted laser and LED system, matching the tool to the depth and location of the problem.
What It Treats
What To Expect
We position the laser over the affected joint, tendon, or nerve. You may feel a gentle warmth, nothing more.
A session takes about five to fifteen minutes depending on the area. There are no needles and nothing to recover from.
You leave and carry on normally. Laser pairs well with acupuncture and shockwave, and we often combine them in one visit.
Because the effect is cumulative, most conditions respond best to a series of sessions. We will recommend a plan based on your goals.
Condition By Condition
Low level laser reaches tissue that is inflamed, poorly circulated, or slow to repair. These are the cases we see most often at our office in The Villages.
Burning, numbness, and tingling in the feet and hands, whether from diabetes, chemotherapy, or an unclear cause. Laser is one of the few tools that addresses the circulation and nerve health underneath the symptom rather than only dampening the signal. This is one of our most requested applications, and it typically requires a consistent series to judge fairly. See our full neuropathy treatment page.
Knees, hips, hands, and shoulders where the joint is worn and persistently inflamed. Laser reduces the inflammatory load and supports the surrounding soft tissue, which often improves comfort and range of motion without adding another medication.
Chronic low back and cervical pain, including cases involving disc irritation and nerve root inflammation. We treat the painful segment and the muscle and fascia that have been compensating around it.
Unlike some therapies, laser is appropriate early. Applied soon after an injury it can reduce swelling and support a faster, cleaner repair rather than waiting for the tissue to stall.
Laser works well here on its own and works better paired with shockwave therapy. Shockwave breaks up the stalled tissue, laser calms the inflammation and supports the rebuild. See our full plantar fasciitis treatment page.
Slow healing wounds and surgical sites benefit from the increased cellular energy and circulation laser provides. We are careful about timing and coordinate with your surgeon's instructions.
How It Compares
We offer all three, which means we have no reason to push you toward one. They do different jobs.
A focused beam that penetrates several centimeters to reach a specific joint, nerve, or tendon. Best when the problem is deep and localized, such as a knee joint or a nerve pathway. Painless, with no sensation beyond mild warmth.
Acoustic pressure rather than light. It is the right choice when a tendon or fascia has stopped remodeling and needs a strong physical stimulus to restart. More intense, and specific to stalled connective tissue.
Lower intensity across a wide surface, ideal for skin and superficial soft tissue over a large region. LED therapy is gentler and often the better starting point when the concern is diffuse rather than pinpointed.
Candidacy
Laser therapy tends to be a strong fit when:
Where we take care. We avoid treating directly over a known cancerous lesion, over the abdomen during pregnancy, and directly over the thyroid. We also review your medications, since some cause light sensitivity. Protective eyewear is used for both you and the clinician. If laser is not appropriate, we will tell you and suggest a better option.
Common Questions
Patient Testimonials
"As a newcomer to The Villages, I was in need of pain relief for my fibromyalgia. Dr. Cheshire had me doing cartwheels around my yard after 3 visits! I will never go anywhere else!"
What Else Helps
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Schedule a free 20 minute consultation and we will tell you whether laser therapy fits your recovery.