Laser Therapy for Soft Tissue Injuries: What to Expect

Soft tissue injuries can be frustrating because they often heal slowly and flare up when you least expect it. If you’ve been dealing with lingering pain, limited movement, or swelling, laser therapy may be a helpful addition to your care plan. At Atlantic Chiropractic Associates, we use Class IV Laser Therapy to support recovery from soft tissue injuries by helping reduce pain and inflammation while promoting the body’s natural healing processes.
 

What Counts as a Soft Tissue Injury?

Soft tissue refers to muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and other connective tissues. Injuries commonly happen from sports, repetitive motion, falls, sudden twists, or even prolonged sitting and poor posture.

Some of the most common soft tissue problems we see include:

• Muscle strains (back, neck, hamstring, shoulder)
• Ligament sprains (ankle, knee, wrist)
• Tendon issues (Achilles tendon irritation, tennis elbow, rotator cuff pain)
• Overuse injuries (tendinitis, repetitive stress)
• Inflammation and trigger points that limit motion

Soft tissue injuries can be painful because these tissues may have limited blood flow - making healing more gradual than you’d like.
 

What Is Class IV Laser Therapy?

Class IV Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers therapeutic light energy into injured tissues to help reduce inflammation, decrease pain sensitivity, improve circulation, and support cellular repair and tissue recovery. Because Class IV lasers are more powerful than the “cold laser” devices often used in other settings, they can reach deeper tissues and treat larger areas more efficiently - making them especially helpful for injuries involving the back, hips, shoulders, and knees.
 

Your First Visit: What We Evaluate

Laser therapy works best when it’s part of a plan tailored to your injury. During your initial evaluation, we’ll typically assess:

• Where your pain is coming from
• Range of motion, strength, and stability
• Swelling, irritation patterns, and movement habits
• Whether the injury appears acute, chronic, or both

From there, we’ll recommend a plan that may include Class IV laser therapy along with chiropractic care, soft tissue work, mobility training, and home guidance.
 

What to Expect During a Laser Therapy Session

During a laser therapy session, most patients find the experience comfortable and relaxing. You’ll be positioned so the injured area is easy to access and fully supported. Your provider will move the laser handpiece slowly over the affected area - sometimes including nearby tissues that may be contributing to the problem. Many people notice a gentle warmth, but it shouldn’t be painful, and sessions usually take only a few minutes depending on the size and depth of the area being treated.

Right after a session, some patients notice:

• Reduced soreness or tightness
• Easier movement
• Less “grabbing” pain with motion

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

That depends on the type and severity of your injury:

• Acute injuries may respond quickly, often within a few sessions.
• Chronic or recurring injuries typically require a series of visits to create lasting change.
• Complex cases may improve fastest when laser therapy is combined with corrective exercises and movement retraining.

We’ll track your progress and adjust the plan based on how you respond, your activity level, and your goals.
 

Take the Next Step Toward Recovery

Soft tissue injuries can be slow to heal and easy to re-aggravate, especially when inflammation and restricted movement linger. Class IV Laser Therapy offers a non-invasive way to help calm pain, reduce swelling, and support the body’s natural repair process. With the right plan, you can address the root cause, restore function, and get back to your normal activities with more confidence.

If you’re dealing with a sprain, strain, tendon pain, or lingering soft tissue injury, Atlantic Chiropractic Associates is here to help. Schedule an evaluation to find out whether Class IV Laser Therapy is right for your condition. Call (302) 309-9900 for our offices in Milford, Georgetown, or Lewes, Delaware, to book an appointment today.