Neck & Back Pain and Cold Laser Therapy:

The human spine is both an architectural and neurological masterpiece. It provides support, movement, and protection for the spinal cord, which carries every message between the brain and body. When the spine is not functioning properly, every system can be affected. The upper cervical region (top of the neck), where the skull rests on the first vertebra known as the atlas, is particularly important because it influences the entire nervous system. 

At the Liebell Clinic, Atlas Orthogonal care has long been a cornerstone of our work, providing precision spinal correction from the top of the body, downward. The integration of cold laser therapy with structural care brings this precision to a new level. Light energy complements mechanical alignment by improving the physiology that supports structural balance.

When the atlas or other vertebrae become restricted within their normal range of motion, the surrounding muscles and ligaments tighten. Blood flow decreases, inflammation develops, and the nerves in the area become hypersensitive. This combination of mechanical tension and biochemical irritation contributes to pain, stiffness, and impaired coordination. 

Traditional approaches often address only one side of the problem: either physical movement or medication to reduce inflammation. 

Cold laser therapy (photobiomodulation) adds a missing element by correcting the cellular dysfunction that keeps tissues inflamed even after alignment is restored.

Cold laser light interacts directly with the mitochondria inside cells, increasing energy production and normalizing communication. Mitochondria convert oxygen and nutrients into adenosine triphosphate, abbreviated ATP, which fuels every healing process. When vertebral joints are restricted, local tissues experience oxygen deprivation, called hypoxia. This slows mitochondrial function and leads to the buildup of lactic acid and inflammatory molecules. 

When laser light of 635 nanometers reaches the tissue, it stimulates an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase, releasing nitric oxide and restoring oxygen flow. Nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the affected muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The result is faster recovery and reduced pain. This process is particularly important for the small stabilizing muscles of the neck and spine. These muscles contain a high density of nerve endings called muscle spindles, which constantly send information to the brain about posture and position. When these spindles are irritated, the brain receives distorted feedback, leading to muscle imbalance and chronic tension. Laser therapy calms this irritation by reducing inflammation and improving microcirculation. It supports natural muscle relaxation, which is a great complement to Dr. Breiten Liebell's chiropractic spinal treatments (using various techniques). 

Cold laser therapy also benefits the connective tissues that anchor the spine. Ligaments and tendons are composed largely of collagen fibers that respond well to light. Studies have shown that photobiomodulation increases fibroblast activity—the process by which the body repairs and strengthens collagen. This effect accelerates recovery from sprains, whiplash, and repetitive strain injuries that often accompany spinal misalignment. By improving the health of these tissues, the laser helps stabilize the structural corrections achieved through chiropractic care.

Another crucial effect of laser therapy is its influence on nerve communication. The spinal cord and the exiting spinal nerves transmit every signal that coordinates movement, sensation, and organ function. Inflammation or compression at any point along this pathway can cause pain locally or in distant regions of the body. Cold laser light modulates this activity by restoring normal electrical balance across nerve membranes. It reduces the excessive firing of pain signals while enhancing the conduction of healthy sensory and motor impulses. In clinical terms, this means reduced sensitivity, improved mobility, and better coordination.

One of the most scientifically fascinating aspects of combining laser therapy with spinal care is the shared influence on the autonomic nervous system. This system regulates unconscious processes such as heart rate, digestion, and immune function. Stress, injury, or chronic pain can tilt the autonomic system toward the sympathetic state, often referred to as fight or flight. It's where the body becomes tense and inflamed. Dr. Liebell's combination of Atlas Orthogonal and other chiropractic methods, and laser photobiomodulation shifts this balance toward the parasympathetic state, which promotes relaxation, circulation, and healing. Light does this by releasing nitric oxide and influencing vagus nerve signaling, while atlas correction reduces mechanical stress at the brainstem level. Together they create an environment where the entire body can reset its normal rhythms.

Patients often notice that laser therapy enhances the effectiveness of their spinal corrections. This is because the cellular repair stimulated by light continues after the mechanical correction has been made. Instead of fighting against chronic inflammation, the body begins cooperating with its own alignment. For patients with long-standing pain or degenerative changes, this synergy can mean the difference between temporary relief and true recovery.

The application of cold laser therapy to the spine is precise and individualized. At the Liebell Clinic, we use Erchonia medical lasers that are FDA-cleared for therapeutic use and calibrated for biological accuracy. Treatments are completely painless and require only minutes. The light is applied to specific anatomical points that correspond to affected joints, muscles, and neural pathways. Because the energy used is non-thermal, there is no heat or tissue damage. Patients can literally  see the light, but do not feel a thing, as the laser triggers natural cellular  repair.

The benefits extend beyond pain relief. Restoring spinal and cellular communication improves balance, coordination, and even cognitive function. The brain relies on clear sensory feedback from the spine to orient itself in space. When that information becomes distorted, the body compensates inefficiently, leading to fatigue and discomfort. Laser-enhanced spinal care restores this clarity. Patients frequently report better energy, improved sleep, and a general sense of equilibrium as their nervous system normalizes.

The combination of  Liebell Clinic's signature style of spinal treatment and precision Erchonia cold laser photobiomodulation represents a model of medicine that respects both physics and physiology. It is not a replacement for either structural correction or medical care; it is the bridge between them. By addressing the mechanical, chemical, and energetic dimensions of spinal function simultaneously, the Liebell Clinic provides a truly comprehensive form of neurological and structural healthcare.

Light, beginning with the sun, has always been a source of life. When applied scientifically, it becomes a source of restoration. The laser does not unlock restricted spinal joints, but it empowers the cells that maintain them. It is this partnership between structure and energy that defines modern spinal health. 

For over 20 years, the Liebell Clinic is proud to have been at the forefront of this integration, using light to enhance the precision of chiropractic science and to restore communication between the brain, the spine, and every system they govern.

Selected Scientific References

Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337–361.
Karu T. High-tech helps to estimate cellular mechanisms of low-power laser therapy. Lasers Surg Med. 2008;40(6):441–446.
Ahrabi B et al. Effects of low-level laser therapy on mesenchymal stem cells: a systematic review. J Lasers Med Sci. 2019;10(Suppl 1):S96–S102.
Chow RT et al. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pain. 2021;22(3):295–310.
Avci P et al. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013;32(1):41–52.
Tomazoni SS et al. Infrared low-level laser therapy before intense exercise protects skeletal muscle against damage. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:6239058.
Erchonia Corporation. Technical specifications and FDA therapeutic laser clearances. 2023.