Class IV Laser: The Healing Boost Your Injury Might Be Missing
5-minute read
You’re strength training, showing up for PT, eating well, and taking care of your body. But something still isn’t clicking. Pain lingers. Swelling won’t go away. Your tissue feels stuck—like it’s not getting the signal to fully heal.
This is exactly the kind of situation where Class IV laser therapy can tip the scales.
Used strategically, laser can reduce pain, calm inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair—without pills, needles, or downtime. At Atomic PT, we use it to help athletes and active adults heal faster and move forward sooner—especially when recovery feels stuck.
What Is Class IV Laser Therapy?
Class IV lasers use concentrated light energy to penetrate deep into muscles, tendons, and joints. This light stimulates your mitochondria (the “engines” of your cells) through a process called photobiomodulation, which increases ATP (cellular energy), improves blood flow, and enhances tissue regeneration.
Unlike cold (Class III) lasers, Class IV laser therapy reaches deeper tissues more effectively, making it ideal for active individuals dealing with high-demand injuries.
How It Works for Bones: A Game-Changer for Runners
Here’s where it gets especially exciting for runners and active adults: Class IV laser therapy can also support bone healing.
Whether you're recovering from medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) or a stress reaction or stress fracture, laser therapy can:
Improve blood flow to periosteal tissues (the outer layer of bone)
Stimulate osteoblast activity (the cells responsible for forming new bone)
Reduce inflammation around the bone and improve tissue tolerance
Shorten recovery timelines when used alongside load management and strength training
In fact, animal and human studies have shown increased callus formation, improved mineral density, and faster healing times when laser is used during fracture rehab. It’s not a standalone fix—but it’s a powerful complement to a well-designed return-to-load plan.
We often integrate laser therapy into care for:
Shin splints
Tibial stress reactions
Metatarsal stress fractures
Post-op fracture recovery
Bone bruises or cortical stress injuries
What Else Can Laser Help With?
We also see great results with:
Plantar fasciitis
Achilles and patellar tendinopathy
Rotator cuff injuries and impingement
Low back or SI joint pain
Chronic neck tension
Scar sensitivity or post-op swelling
Postpartum pelvic or abdominal healing
Joint pain from overuse or early arthritis
Because it improves tissue tolerance and decreases pain, laser therapy helps you move better, sooner, which is often the missing link in long-term recovery.
What to Expect During a Session
Treatments are warm but comfortable, and completely non-invasive. Most people begin to feel the benefits within a few sessions, especially when paired with movement retraining and strength work.
We typically recommend 2–3 sessions per week for 2–4 weeks, depending on how acute or chronic the injury is and your activity goals.
Why Atomic PT Uses Laser Differently
We don’t just plug in a machine and walk away. At Atomic, laser therapy is an integrated tool, not a stand-alone service. That means it’s delivered by a clinician who understands your diagnosis, your movement patterns, and your goals.
If you’re dealing with a slow-healing tendon, bone irritation, or inflammation that’s getting in the way of progress, laser might be the missing piece that helps your body respond.
Wondering if Laser Therapy Can Help Your Injury?
Book a free Discovery Visit to find out if Class IV laser is a fit for your symptoms. We’ll walk you through how it works, how we use it, and where it fits in your recovery plan.
Already know you're ready to start treatment? Book an initial evaluation at our South Boulder office, where we offer Class IV laser alongside hands-on care and customized rehab to get you moving again, stronger, faster, and with less pain.
References
Cotler HB, et al. The use of Class IV laser therapy for musculoskeletal pain: A narrative review. PM&R, 2015.
Sakurai Y, et al. Effects of laser irradiation on osteoblast-like cells and bone regeneration in animal models. Lasers Med Sci, 2000.
Khandagale S, et al. Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in fracture healing: A systematic review. Int J Health Sci, 2021.
Amaroli A et al. Photobiomodulation and mitochondrial function: mechanisms and applications. Front Physiol, 2021.
