Cold Laser Therapy in Naples, FL
Non-Invasive MLS Laser to Reduce Inflammation and Speed Healing
Cold Laser Therapy Built Around Healing
Dr. James Bergtold, DC has treated more than 5,000 patients across 25+ years of practice and holds advanced certification in MLS robotic laser operation. He uses cold laser as one part of a plan built from your exam findings at Bergtold Chiropractic, alongside the other therapies and advanced treatments available in our Naples clinic.
Why Slow Healing Calls for Cold Laser Therapy
Pain that will not settle usually means inflammation that will not settle. Swelling around an irritated disc, a strained tendon or a compressed nerve keeps the tissue short on oxygen, and the repair process stalls. You feel it as a knee that aches every morning, a heel that stabs on the first step out of bed, or a shoulder that flares every time you push through a workout. Anti-inflammatory pills quiet the signal for a few hours, then the ache comes back.
Cold laser therapy works on that stall directly. Light at 808 and 905 nanometers passes through skin without heating it and is absorbed by the mitochondria inside your cells, which respond by producing more energy, clearing inflammatory byproducts and rebuilding tissue faster. Most patients feel nothing during the session and notice less swelling and easier movement within the first few visits. There is no medication, no incision and no recovery time.
What Is Cold Laser Therapy?
The Science of Photobiomodulation
Cold laser therapy, also called low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation, uses light rather than heat to stimulate repair inside injured tissue. Our MLS M6 robotic laser is FDA cleared for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, stiffness and spasm, and for a temporary increase in local blood circulation.
The MLS Multiwave Locked System synchronizes two wavelengths, 808 nanometers for swelling and 905 nanometers for pain, so light is absorbed by cell mitochondria without warming the skin. That photochemical effect separates it from Emvital laser therapy, which works by driving deep heat into tissue. Relief builds across a short course of visits.
Cold Laser Therapy Treatment Areas
Targeted Tissue Healing
Back and Neck Pain
Calms inflamed spinal joints and the muscle guarding around them
Sciatica and Nerve Pain
Reduces swelling that presses on an irritated nerve root
Knee and Joint Pain
Targets arthritic and overuse inflammation inside the joint
Plantar Fasciitis
Speeds repair of strained fascia along the bottom of the heel
Tendonitis and Overuse
Supports healing in tendons that stay sore after activity
Whiplash and Soft Tissue
Settles post-collision inflammation in neck muscles and ligaments
Benefits of Cold Laser Therapy
Healing Without Heat
- 01
No Heat or Needles
Light passes through the skin without warming or breaking it
- 02
Zero Downtime
Return to work, training or the golf course the same day
- 03
Drug-Free Relief
An option when medication or injections are not wanted
- 04
Targets Inflammation
Lowers swelling around irritated joints, discs and tendons
- 05
Pairs With Other Care
Combines well with adjustments and spinal decompression
- 06
Short Sessions
Most visits run 10 to 20 minutes from start to finish
Cold Laser Therapy vs. Alternatives
Who Is a Good Candidate for Cold Laser Therapy?
Finding the Right Therapy
Ideal Candidates for Cold Laser Therapy
- Adults and active teenagers with lingering tendonitis, bursitis or muscle strain
- Patients with plantar fasciitis or knee pain that has not settled with rest
- People recovering from a collision or a sports injury who want soft tissue repair supported
- Patients with nerve irritation such as sciatica or carpal tunnel symptoms
- Anyone who prefers a drug-free option, or who cannot tolerate anti-inflammatory medication
- Patients who need inflammation reduced before an adjustment or spinal decompression is comfortable
Who Should Wait or Avoid Cold Laser Therapy
- Pregnancy, when the treatment area would be the abdomen or low back
- Known or suspected cancer in the area being treated
- Direct treatment over the eyes, or over the thyroid gland at the front of the neck
- Active bleeding, an open wound or an untreated infection in the area
- Current use of photosensitizing medication, including some antibiotics and acne drugs
What Happens During Cold Laser Therapy
Step-by-Step Process
- 01
Exam
Dr. Bergtold reviews your history, examines the area and confirms laser is appropriate.
- 02
Mapping
He marks the treatment field so every session covers the same tissue at the same depth.
- 03
Setup
Daniela positions you comfortably and fits protective eyewear before the laser is switched on.
- 04
Treatment
The MLS M6 robotic arm scans the target area for 10 to 20 minutes while you rest.
- 05
Aftercare
There is no downtime, so you dress and head back to work or the gym straight from the table.
- 06
Reassessment
Dr. Bergtold rechecks range of motion and pain levels every few visits and adjusts the plan.
Risks and Side Effects
What to Know
Common Cold Laser Therapy Side Effects
Cold laser is one of the better tolerated therapies we offer. The usual reports are a mild warmth or tingling during treatment and a short ache in the area afterward, typically gone within 24 hours. A few patients notice a brief increase in symptoms after the first session or two as circulation improves, which generally settles as the course continues.
Rare Complications
Serious adverse events are rare in published reviews of low-level laser therapy. The real risk is eye injury from looking into the beam, which is why everyone in the room wears protective eyewear. Skin irritation can occur over tattoos, recently tanned skin, or in patients taking photosensitizing medication.
Safety and FDA Status
Therapeutic lasers of this class are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and cleared for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness. Dr. Bergtold sets dose by tissue depth and body area.
Cold Laser Therapy Cost in Naples
Pricing and Payment Options
How Much Does Cold Laser Therapy Cost in Naples?
Cost depends on how many sessions your condition needs, the size and depth of the area being treated, and whether laser is used on its own or alongside adjustments and decompression. Cold laser is almost always delivered as a short course rather than a single visit, so we quote a plan instead of a per-visit fee. Call (239) 593-6788 and we will give you a clear number before anything is scheduled.
Insurance and Coverage
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna. Coverage for laser therapy varies widely between plans and many carriers treat it as a non-covered service, so our team verifies your benefits in advance and tells you what will be out of pocket.
Flexible Payment Options
- CareCredit - healthcare financing with monthly payment plans, applied for online or at the front desk
- Written care plans - sessions bundled into one plan so the total is known before you start
Marnie at the front desk handles benefit checks and financing questions, so the cost is never a surprise partway through a course of care.
Why Choose Bergtold Chiropractic for Cold Laser Therapy in Naples
Naples Trusted Provider
Certified Laser Operator
Advanced certification in MLS robotic laser operation
More Than Two Decades of Care
More than 5,000 patients treated across 25+ years of practice
Root Cause Approach
Laser is used on exam findings and on-site X-ray, not by default
Technology Under One Roof
MLS laser, SoftWave and Hill DT decompression in one clinic
200+ Five-Star Reviews
A 5.0 Google rating earned from Naples patients over four decades
Athlete-Level Training
Trained alongside doctors for USA Olympic team and NFL players
Related Treatments
Treatments that pair well with cold laser therapy in Naples.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cold Laser Therapy
Your Questions Answered
How much does cold laser therapy cost in Naples?
Cost is quoted as a plan rather than a single visit fee, because cold laser works over a course of sessions. The number of visits, the size of the treated area and whether laser is combined with other care all affect the total. Call (239) 593-6788 and our team will verify your insurance benefits and explain CareCredit before anything is scheduled.
Does cold laser therapy hurt?
No. Most patients feel nothing at all, or a mild warmth where the laser passes over the skin. There are no needles, no incision and no pressure on the injured area, which is why we often use it on tissue that is still too sore for hands-on work. You wear protective eyewear and can talk with us during the session.
How long does a cold laser therapy session take?
Ten to 20 minutes for most areas. A single knee or heel sits at the short end, while a full lumbar spine or a large muscle group takes longer. You stay clothed apart from the treatment area, and there is no preparation beforehand and no recovery time afterward, so most patients are in and out inside half an hour.
When will I see results from cold laser therapy?
Some patients notice less swelling and easier movement after two or three sessions. A full course usually runs six to 12 visits, because the laser stimulates cellular repair rather than blocking a pain signal. Dr. Bergtold rechecks your range of motion and pain levels along the way and adjusts the plan if progress stalls.
How often do I need cold laser therapy?
Two to three sessions per week at the start, then less often as symptoms settle. Recent injuries typically respond in fewer visits than a problem that has been present for years. Once you reach a stable point, most patients stop entirely, and some with chronic tendon or joint issues return for occasional maintenance sessions.
What is the difference between cold laser therapy and Emvital laser therapy?
Cold laser is photochemical and Emvital is photothermal. Cold laser uses low-level light that cells absorb without the tissue warming, so it targets inflammation and healing. Emvital laser therapy drives deep heat into muscle and joints for pain relief. Dr. Bergtold picks between them, or uses both, based on your exam.
Is cold laser therapy safe for seniors and teenagers?
Yes, cold laser is used across a wide age range, from active teenagers with sports injuries to seniors managing arthritic joints. There is no medication involved and no interaction with blood thinners or heart medication. We avoid treating over the abdomen in pregnancy, over the thyroid, and over any known or suspected cancer.
Does insurance cover cold laser therapy?
It depends on your plan. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, but many carriers classify laser therapy as non-covered even when they cover chiropractic care. Our office verifies your benefits before your first session so you know the out-of-pocket cost in advance.
Can cold laser therapy be combined with chiropractic adjustments?
Yes, and it often is. Lowering inflammation first can make an adjustment or a spinal decompression session more comfortable and help the correction hold. Dr. Bergtold sequences laser, adjusting and decompression in the same visit when the exam supports it, rather than treating each in isolation.
Does cold laser therapy help nerve pain like carpal tunnel or neuropathy?
It is one of the more studied uses. Reviews of low-level laser therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome report improvements in pain and function, and research into peripheral neuropathy is ongoing. Results vary with how long the nerve has been compressed, so Dr. Bergtold examines the nerve path before recommending a course.
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References
- Clijsen et al., Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. (2017). Effects of low-level laser therapy on pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PMID: 28145397.
- Stausholm et al., BMJ Open. (2019). Efficacy of low-level laser therapy on pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials. PMID: 31662383.
- Cheung et al., Physiotherapy. (2020). Low-level laser therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome: systematic review and network meta-analysis. PMID: 32026843.
- Dompe et al., J Clin Med. (2020). Photobiomodulation-Underlying Mechanism and Clinical Applications. PMID: 32503238.
- Saleh et al., Lasers Med Sci. (2024). High-intensity versus low-level laser in musculoskeletal disorders. PMID: 38990213.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Therapeutic laser devices are regulated as medical devices and cleared for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness.