MLS Laser, Chiropractic, and Orthobiologics Healing

Abstract

Welcome to our educational post exploring the frontiers of non-invasive pain management and cellular healing. Today, I’ll guide you through the advanced science of Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy, a powerful technology changing how we approach both acute injuries and chronic conditions. Drawing on the latest findings from leading researchers, we will explore the physiological mechanisms that make this therapy so effective. We will discuss the concepts of photobiomodulation, energy density, and the specific wavelengths that trigger the body’s natural healing processes at a mitochondrial level.

Furthermore, we will explore how MLS Laser Therapy is seamlessly integrated with other progressive treatments, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), and how it complements an integrative chiropractic approach to optimize patient outcomes. This post will serve as a comprehensive journey, explaining not just the “how” but the critical “why” behind these evidence-based protocols, offering a clear narrative on achieving enhanced recovery and lasting relief.

A Modern Approach to Pain and Inflammation: Introducing MLS Laser Therapy

In my practice, I am constantly seeking the most effective, evidence-based treatments to help my patients not just manage their pain but truly heal. One of the most significant advancements in this field is Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy. This isn’t just another laser; it’s a sophisticated, FDA-cleared technology that synchronizes two therapeutic wavelengths—808 nanometers (nm) for anti-inflammatory and anti-edemic effects, and 905 nanometers (nm) for its analgesic (pain-relieving) effect.

What makes MLS unique is its patented pulse technology. Instead of delivering these wavelengths separately or continuously, which can generate excessive heat and limit depth, the MLS system delivers them in synchronized, short pulses.

• The 808 nm continuous-wave laser energy helps reduce inflammation and swelling. It stimulates local blood circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the injured area.
• The 905 nm pulsed wave laser energy has a powerful, immediate effect on nerve cells, blocking the transmission of pain signals and stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.

This synchronized delivery enables very high peak power (up to 50 watts) to be delivered deep into the tissue without creating thermal risk. It’s like a powerful, targeted “punch” of light energy followed by a period of rest, allowing the cells to absorb the energy and kickstart their metabolic processes. This process, known as photobiomodulation, is the cornerstone of how laser therapy works. When you feel heat at the surface during a laser treatment, it often indicates that energy is being wasted rather than absorbed effectively. With MLS, the tissue temperature remains constant, indicating optimal energy delivery and absorption where it’s needed most.

The Clinical Application: A Demonstration of Robotic MLS Laser

To illustrate how this works in a clinical setting, let’s walk through a typical session for a patient, whom we’ll call John, presenting with low back pain and stiffness, specifically around the L4-L5 facet joints with some radiating symptoms down the right side.

Patient Setup and Comfort

The first priority is always patient comfort. For low back treatments using the robotic laser head, we have the patient lie face down. The laser must be applied directly to the skin for maximum efficacy. After positioning John comfortably, we expose the lower back region to prepare for treatment. My clinical observation confirms that when a patient is relaxed and still, the precision of the robotic application is maximized, ensuring the therapeutic energy is delivered exactly where it’s intended.

Targeting the Treatment Area

The robotic MLS laser system features a user-friendly interface. My process is as follows:

1. Select the Condition: I chose the pre-programmed protocol for “Joint Pain and Stiffness” from the menu.
2. Zero the Axes: I initially zero out the X and Y axes, which define the treatment perimeter. This makes the laser head stationary.
3. Center the Target: I then move the robotic arm to position the aiming beam directly over the primary site of John’s discomfort—the L4-L5 region, slightly to the right.
4. Expand the Treatment Zone: From this central point, I expand the X and Y axes to cover not just the specific point of pain but also the surrounding connective tissues. This is what we call a clinical multimodal approach. We’re not just chasing the pain; we’re treating the entire functional unit, including the supporting muscles and ligaments that are contributing to the dysfunction. This global approach is fundamental to achieving a more comprehensive and lasting outcome.

The system uses a special ruler to ensure the laser head is at the optimal distance from the skin—typically about six inches. This precise distance corresponds to the laser’s focal point, ensuring the maximum energy density penetrates the target tissue. Because the beam is collimated, there is a slight margin for error, but precision is key.

Once the parameters are set, the treatment begins. For this specific protocol, the session lasts about eight minutes. The robotic arm moves methodically, scanning the defined area to deliver a consistent and accurate dose of laser energy.

Understanding Energy Dosage: Joules vs. Energy Density

A common point of confusion in laser therapy is the measurement of dosage. Many focus on total joules delivered, but the more clinically relevant metric is energy density, measured in joules per centimeter squared (J/cm²). Energy density is the amount of energy delivered to a specific area of tissue. Think of it like this: you can pour a gallon of water (total joules) over a large field, or you can pour that same gallon into a small bucket. The concentration, or “dose,” is much higher in the bucket.

Leading research, supported by organizations like the World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT), indicates that the optimal therapeutic window for most musculoskeletal conditions is between 4 and 10 J/cm².

• Below 4 J/cm²: The dose may be too low to stimulate a significant biological response (bio-stimulation).
• Above 10 J/cm²: You risk entering a phase of bio-inhibition, where too much energy can actually suppress cellular activity, a concept related to the Arndt-Schultz Law.

The sophisticated software in the MLS system automatically calculates the required treatment time based on the selected energy density and the size of the treatment area. If I adjust the treatment zone (the X and Y axes), the software instantly recalibrates the time to ensure the target energy density—in John’s case, 6 J/cm²—is achieved. This automation is a significant advancement, ensuring precision and therapeutic accuracy without complex manual calculations.

The Dual-Modality Advantage: Combining Robotic and Handheld Lasers

One of the most powerful features of the MLS system is the ability to use the robotic laser and a handheld applicator simultaneously. They operate on separate channels, allowing for a truly integrated treatment. While the robot treats the broader lower back region, I can use the handheld piece to target specific, punctual areas.

The handheld applicator has a single diode and is designed for direct skin contact. It’s perfect for:

• Trigger Points: I can locate and treat specific knots or “cooked meat” (a term I learned from a DPT to describe the dense, fibrotic texture of a trigger point compared to the “raw meat” of healthy, pliable muscle).
• Joint Spaces: Targeting the exact joint line of a facet joint or other small articulations.
• Dynamic Treatments: The patient can actively move while I treat, allowing me to apply the laser during specific motions that reproduce their pain.

During John’s session, while the robot worked on his L4-L5 area, I used the handpiece to address trigger points in his right gluteus medius muscle, a common contributor to low back pain and pseudo-sciatica. Each point with the handpiece takes only about 25 seconds, making the procedure a highly efficient addition to the overall treatment.

Synergizing MLS Laser with Orthobiologics and Integrative Chiropractic Care

The applications of MLS laser therapy extend far beyond standalone pain relief. It is becoming an indispensable tool in the world of orthobiologics, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, and serves as a powerful adjunct to integrative chiropractic care.

Preparing the “Soil” for PRP

When we perform a PRP injection, we are introducing a concentration of growth factors to stimulate tissue regeneration. The success of this procedure depends heavily on the health of the cellular environment—the “soil” into which we are planting the “seeds.” This is where MLS laser therapy plays a crucial role.

A progressive protocol we utilize in our clinic involves:

1. Pre-Injection Priming (2-3 treatments): We use the laser in the days leading up to the injection to “prepare the area.” The goal is to reduce baseline inflammation, increase local blood circulation, and begin optimizing mitochondrial function in the target cells. This creates a more receptive and healthier environment for the PRP to work its magic.
2. Day of Injection: A laser treatment is performed on the same day as the injection to help manage any immediate post-injection inflammation and further enhance cellular activity.
3. Post-Injection Support (6+ treatments): Following the injection, a series of laser treatments helps augment the regenerative process initiated by the PRP. The laser provides the cells with the energy (ATP) they need to carry out the complex tasks of tissue repair and remodeling. Clinical data and our own observations suggest that combining MLS with PRP can improve efficacy by an estimated 15-20% compared to PRP alone (Cutting Edge Laser Technologies, 2023).

The Chiropractic Connection

As a chiropractor, my primary goal is to restore proper function to the neuromusculoskeletal system. Chiropractic adjustments are excellent at correcting joint biomechanics, relieving nerve pressure, and restoring motion. However, adjustments primarily address the structural component. The underlying tissues—muscles, ligaments, and fascia—are often inflamed, fibrotic, and metabolically stressed.

This is where MLS laser therapy fits perfectly into an integrative chiropractic model.

• Before an Adjustment: Using the laser before an adjustment can help relax hypertonic muscles and reduce inflammation, making the joint easier to manipulate and the adjustment more comfortable and effective for the patient.
• After an Adjustment: Applying the laser after an adjustment helps to calm any residual inflammation, accelerate tissue healing, and consolidate the benefits of the structural correction. It helps the body “hold” the adjustment better by addressing the soft tissue components that often pull a joint back out of alignment.

By combining the structural correction of chiropractic with the cellular healing of MLS laser therapy, we can address both the hardware (joints) and the software (soft tissues) of the body, leading to faster, more complete, and more durable results.

Optimizing Mitochondrial Function: The Deeper Mechanism

At the heart of photobiomodulation is the effect of light on the mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. The primary enzyme in this process is cytochrome c oxidase, a component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain.

When laser light of the correct wavelength (like the 808 nm and 905 nm used in MLS) is absorbed by this enzyme, it triggers a cascade of events:

1. Increased ATP Production: The mitochondria are stimulated to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the universal energy currency of the cell. This extra energy fuels all cellular repair and regeneration activities.
2. Modulation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS): Laser therapy can help regulate oxidative stress, promoting a healthier cellular environment.
3. Activation of Transcription Factors: This leads to the synthesis of proteins, enzymes, and other components essential for cell proliferation and tissue repair.

This mitochondrial stimulation is the key to how laser therapy helps shift a condition from a chronic, non-healing state to an active healing state. It’s particularly relevant in our modern world, where many patients are on medications like statins or metformin, which can negatively impact mitochondrial function. MLS laser therapy can help offset these effects by directly stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis and improving efficiency. Further optimizing this process with nutritional cofactors like CoQ10, L-carnitine, and B vitamins is an exciting area of functional medicine that we integrate into our patient care plans.

In my experience, patients begin to notice a significant difference after about three treatments, but a full course is essential. For acute conditions, we typically recommend a course of six treatments, often scheduled three times a week (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday). For chronic conditions, a course of 12 treatments is standard. The effects are cumulative; each session builds upon the last, progressively restoring cellular function and reducing pain and inflammation. We often see remarkable results, and patients frequently report significant improvement in their quality of life, often delaying or even avoiding the need for more invasive procedures like surgery.

By understanding and applying the deep physiological principles of MLS Laser Therapy within an integrative framework, we are better equipped than ever to guide our patients on a true journey to healing.

References

• Anders, J. J., Lanzafame, R. J., & Arany, P. R. (2015). Low-level light/laser therapy versus photobiomodulation therapy. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 33(2), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2015.9848
• Cutting Edge Laser Technologies. (2023). Clinical data on file regarding PRP and MLS Therapy efficacy.
• Ferreira, D. M., Zângaro, R. A., & Villaverde, A. B. (2009). Analgesic effect of 904 nm low-level laser therapy on chronic myofascial pain syndrome in the neck and shoulder region. Journal of Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 27(5), 705-710. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2008.2323
• Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics, 4(3), 337-361. https://doi.org/10.3934/biophys.2017.3.337
• World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT). Dosage Recommendations. Retrieved from https://waltpbm.org/