Shoulder Problems & Cold Laser Therapy:

Shoulder pain limits far more than arm movement; it changes how people live their lives. Every reach, every turn of the steering wheel, even the simple act of dressing becomes an ordeal. Most shoulder problems are treated as mechanical issues alone: tendonitis, bursitis, impingement, or rotator cuff strain. Beneath those names lies a shared biological problem: the cells within the joint and muscles are underpowered and inflamed. They are trying to repair but lack the energy to succeed. 

At the Liebell Clinic, we view shoulder pain, in part, as a signal of cellular exhaustion, not just mechanical failure or physical damage. Cold laser therapy, scientifically called photobiomodulation, helps recharge the body’s repair systems so that tissues can rebuild strength and flexibility naturally. It serves as a perfect complement to Dr. Breiten Liebell's structural/mechanical treatment of joints. 

The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the human body, anatomically structured  for a vast range of motion. That freedom comes with a cost: stability depends on soft tissues rather than bone. The rotator cuff muscles, tendons, and joint capsule all work together to maintain alignment during movement. When any part becomes strained, the rest must overcompensate, leading to inflammation and fatigue. Reduced blood flow and chronic microtears slow the body’s ability to heal. 

Cold laser therapy intervenes by restoring energy to those struggling tissues. Specific wavelengths of light penetrate the area, stimulating mitochondria to increase adenosine triphosphate, abbreviated ATP, the molecule that powers every cellular function. This biochemical boost improves oxygen utilization and circulation, giving the muscles and connective tissue the energy to repair themselves.

Inflammation plays a major role in shoulder pain, especially in conditions like tendonitis, bursitis, and adhesive capsulitis. While inflammation is a necessary part of healing, chronic inflammation locks the process in place. The body continues to send out inflammatory chemicals long after the initial strain has resolved. cold laser therapy photobiomodulation helps the body modulate, not suppress this process. It decreases pro-inflammatory molecules such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 while promoting anti-inflammatory mediators like interleukin-10. 

This rebalancing allows true healing to begin. Patients often report less stiffness, greater range of motion, and improved comfort during activity after a series of treatments.

The four shoulder muscles (and their associated tendons) referred to as the  rotator cuff are particularly vulnerable to energy loss. These small but vital muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) keep the shoulder stable during lifting and rotation. When they become overworked or injured, inflammation around the tendons reduces oxygen supply, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of pain. 

Cold laser therapy promotes natural reversal of this cycle by improving microcirculation and restoring ATP production within the muscle fibers. This allows the tissue to clear metabolic waste, regenerate collagen, and regain endurance. For individuals recovering from shoulder strain or surgery, laser therapy supports faster, stronger rehabilitation.  

Many people with shoulder pain also experience discomfort in the neck or upper back. This is no coincidence. The nerves that control shoulder motion originate in the cervical spine (neck), and tension in the surrounding muscles can easily radiate across regions. 

Cold laser photobiomodulation calms nerve irritation by stabilizing the electrical activity of the nerve membranes and reducing oxidative stress along their pathways. This normalizes the signals between the neck and shoulder, helping both areas recover more efficiently.  

Posture contributes more than most people realize. Long hours at desks or looking down at devices force the shoulders forward and strain the joints and stabilizing muscles. As circulation decreases and energy production slows, the shoulders lose resilience. Laser therapy counteracts these effects by restoring blood flow and encouraging the body to shift from a state of chronic tension to one of repair. This cellular rebalancing complements chiropractic and postural correction perfectly, helping the body maintain proper alignment once restored.

Cold laser therapy sessions are quick, comfortable, and require no recovery time. We use FDA-cleared Erchonia medical lasers designed for therapeutic precision. The light is non-thermal; it does not heat tissue or cause discomfort. Instead, it triggers chemical and metabolic changes that continue long after the treatment ends. Many patients notice an immediate sense of lightness or mobility, while others experience progressive improvement as inflammation diminishes and the tissue rebuilds.

Scientific evidence supports these outcomes. Studies in Lasers in Medical Science, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, and Clinical Rehabilitation consistently show that low-level laser therapy reduces pain and improves function in shoulder tendonitis, rotator cuff injury, and frozen shoulder. 

Laboratory data demonstrate that cold laser therapy enhances collagen organization, reduces oxidative stress, and improves muscle strength. A 2018 randomized controlled trial found faster recovery and superior range of motion in patients receiving laser therapy compared to physical therapy alone. 

These findings reflect what we observe in practice every day. When energy returns to the cells, recovery accelerates naturally.

The shoulder is not a fragile joint; it is a masterpiece of mobility and coordination. When pain develops, it is the body’s way of asking for energy and balance, not punishment or restraint. 

Cold laser therapy provides that energy, allowing the shoulder to function as it was meant to be: strong, flexible, and free.

Selected Scientific References

De Marchi T et al. Low-level laser therapy accelerates recovery and reduces pain in shoulder tendonitis: randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2018;32(3):355–364.
Tomazoni SS et al. Infrared low-level laser therapy reduces oxidative stress and improves shoulder joint mobility. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:6239058.
Leal-Junior ECP et al. Photobiomodulation therapy enhances muscle performance and tendon regeneration in shoulder disorders. Lasers Med Sci. 2015;30(2):925–939.
Ailioaie LM et al. Low-level laser therapy in chronic inflammatory and musculoskeletal pain syndromes: systematic review. Photomed Laser Surg. 2019;37(8):415–426.
Barolet D et al. Photobiomodulation: vascular and muscular modulation mechanisms relevant to rehabilitation medicine. J Clin Med. 2020;9(6):1724.
Chow RT et al. Low-level laser therapy for musculoskeletal pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Pain. 2021;22(3):295–310.
Erchonia Corporation. Technical specifications and FDA therapeutic laser clearances. 2023.