Living with chronic pain, injury, or limited mobility can turn even simple tasks into daily struggles. Whether you’re an athlete recovering from a strain or someone dealing with persistent joint or soft-tissue discomfort, finding effective, non-invasive treatment is key to restoring quality of life. At Dr. Leitman Chiropractic, we offer laser therapy and shockwave therapy, two advanced, evidence-based treatments designed to accelerate healing at the cellular level.
Laser therapy uses focused light energy to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. It’s especially effective for conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, and nerve-related pain. Shockwave therapy, on the other hand, uses high-energy acoustic waves to break up scar tissue, improve circulation, and trigger the body’s natural healing response—ideal for chronic injuries like plantar fasciitis or tennis elbow.
These therapies are drug-free, surgery-free, and carry minimal risk. When combined with chiropractic care, they can significantly enhance mobility, reduce recovery time, and improve overall function.
At Dr. Leitman Chiropractic, we tailor treatment plans to your unique needs, ensuring you get the best results possible. If you’re seeking safe, effective relief from pain, these advanced therapies may be the solution you’ve been waiting for.
What Is Laser Therapy?
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)—also known as cold laser therapy or photobiomodulation—is a non-invasive, pain-free treatment that uses targeted light energy to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. Unlike surgical or high-heat lasers, LLLT does not cut or burn tissue. Instead, it emits specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light that penetrate the skin to reach underlying tissues at precise depths.
Once absorbed, this light energy interacts with the cells’ mitochondria—the powerhouse of the cell—boosting cellular metabolism and ATP (energy) production. This cascade of biochemical responses promotes tissue repair, reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and relieves pain. The result is faster healing and improved function, all without the use of medication or invasive procedures.
LLLT is safe, comfortable, and supported by a growing body of clinical research. It’s used to treat a wide range of conditions, including tendonitis, arthritis, soft tissue injuries, joint pain, nerve irritation, and post-surgical recovery.
At Dr. Leitman Chiropractic, LLLT is integrated into personalized treatment plans to enhance outcomes and support long-term wellness. Whether you’re recovering from injury or managing chronic pain, cold laser therapy offers a powerful, drug-free option to accelerate healing and restore your quality of life.
How It Works
Stimulates mitochondria, increasing ATP (cellular energy)
Reduces inflammatory cytokines to lower swelling
Promotes angiogenesis, improving blood flow
Enhances collagen synthesis for better tissue repair
Conditions Treated
Muscular strains, tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, tennis elbow)
Arthritic joints, bursitis
Neuropathic pain
Post-surgical recovery
Chronic back and neck pain
Session Length: 5–20 minutes, depending on the area and depth
Feel: Most patients report a mild warming or tingling sensation
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic pulses to stimulate healing in injured or chronically painful tissues. Unlike ultrasound, which delivers gentle sound waves, shockwave therapy introduces short, powerful bursts of energy that penetrate deep into soft tissue, tendons, and ligaments.
These pulses create a controlled micro-trauma in the targeted area, which prompts the body’s natural healing response. This includes increased blood flow, stimulation of collagen production, and the activation of cellular repair processes. Over time, ESWT helps to break down scar tissue, reduce inflammation, and restore normal function—without the need for medication or surgery.
Commonly used to treat stubborn conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, calcific tendonitis, and chronic joint pain, shockwave therapy is especially effective when other conservative treatments have failed. Many patients experience significant pain relief and improved mobility after just a few sessions.
At Dr. Leitman Chiropractic, ESWT is used alongside other therapies, such as chiropractic adjustments and laser therapy, to create a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan. If you’re dealing with long-term pain or slow-healing injuries, shockwave therapy may offer the breakthrough you need to recover naturally and effectively.
How It Works
Breaks down calcific deposits (e.g., in tendons)
Stimulates increased blood vessel formation
Promotes tissue remodeling and strength
Releases growth factors important for regeneration
Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy
Shoulder calcifications, rotator cuff issues
Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinopathy)
Shin splints, chronic muscle tightness
Trigger points, groin and hip pain
Session Length: 10–15 minutes
Feel: Many describe mild to moderate discomfort during application, followed by reduced pain within 1–2 days
Comparing Laser & Shockwave: A Synergistic Approach
ModalityBest forDepth of PenetrationSensationLaser TherapyInflammation, superficial tendon or nerve pain0–6 cm (superficial to moderate)Gentle warming or tinglingShockwave TherapyChronic tendon issues, calcifications, deeper soft-tissue problems≤ 5 cm (focused or radial)Mild to moderate discomfort
By combining these therapies, we can achieve faster healing, reduced pain, and better tissue recovery, especially when integrated into a chiropractic rehabilitation plan.
Who Should Consider These Therapies?
Ideal candidates include patients with:
Chronic tendon injuries (e.g., tennis elbow, jumper’s knee)
Calcific tendinopathy (e.g., shoulders, Achilles)
Arthritic joints with inflammation
Chronic back, neck, or joint pain not fully relieved by traditional methods
Post-operative or post-injury rehabilitation needs
Your chiropractor at Dr. Leitman Chiropractic will assess suitability through history-taking, movement evaluation, and diagnostic imaging (as needed) before recommending therapy.
What to Expect During Treatment
Laser Therapy Sessions
Preparation: Clean area, identify treatment points (trigger points, tendon insertions)
Application: Laser handpiece delivered over skin in overlapping circles
Duration: 5–20 minutes, based on area size
Aftercare: Avoid ice immediately; gentle stretching recommended
Shockwave Therapy Sessions
Preparation: Gel applied to skin for energy transmission
Application: Handheld probe delivers focused or radial waves
Duration: 800–2,000 pulses around pain area (10–15 mins)
Aftercare: Mild soreness possible; contrast baths or gentle stretching encouraged
Benefits of Adjunctive Chiropractic Care
Pairing laser or shockwave therapy with chiropractic treatment offers a powerful, synergistic approach to healing that delivers superior results for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. While each modality is effective on its own, combining them enhances the body’s natural recovery processes and addresses both symptoms and root causes.
Laser therapy uses concentrated light energy to penetrate deep into tissues, reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and accelerating cellular repair. It’s especially beneficial for soft tissue injuries, joint pain, and nerve irritation. Shockwave therapy, on the other hand, delivers high-energy acoustic pulses that break up scar tissue, increase blood flow, and stimulate new tissue growth—ideal for chronic pain, calcifications, and stubborn tendon or ligament issues.
When integrated with chiropractic care, these therapies become even more effective. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper joint alignment and improve nervous system function, creating a stable foundation for healing. This ensures that tissues being treated with laser or shockwave are in the correct biomechanical position to heal properly and remain pain-free long-term.
Patients often experience faster recovery times, improved range of motion, and longer-lasting relief when these modalities are combined. At Dr. Leitman Chiropractic, we create customized treatment plans that bring the best of technology and hands-on care together—so you can heal better, faster, and stronger.
Postural alignment helps decompress tissues, promoting better therapy effects
Joint adjustments ensure proper biomechanics and reduce compensation
Soft-tissue modalities (e.g., Graston, myofascial release) normalize muscle tone
Rehab exercises strengthen, stabilize, and prevent recurrence
Lifestyle coaching boosts nutrition, ergonomics, and stress reduction
This multimodal approach enhances healing than using any single method alone.
What the Research Shows
A 2019 Journal of Foot and Ankle Research study reported 73% improvement in plantar fasciitis symptoms with shockwave therapy.
A randomized American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation trial showed laser therapy reduced pain and increased grip strength in lateral epicondylitis patients.
A 2021 meta-analysis in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that combining therapies improved short-term function and decreased pain across diverse musculoskeletal conditions.
In short: strong clinical evidence supports using laser and shockwave therapies for faster, lasting recovery.
Real Patient Stories
Michael, 38, from O’Fallon, MO, is a competitive soccer player who had been battling chronic Achilles tendon pain for over a year. The discomfort limited his performance and kept him off the field, despite rest, stretching, and other traditional therapies. Frustrated with the lack of progress and eager to return to competition, Michael turned to Dr. Leitman Chiropractic for a more advanced, targeted approach.
He began a customized treatment plan that combined focused shockwave therapy with laser augmentation. Shockwave therapy delivered acoustic waves directly to the inflamed Achilles tendon, breaking up scar tissue, increasing blood flow, and stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Simultaneously, laser therapy provided deep-tissue support—reducing inflammation and promoting cellular repair at a deeper level.
After just four sessions, Michael reported significantly reduced pain and improved mobility. Remarkably, he was able to resume light training within two weeks—without needing a boot, brace, or pain medication. By the end of his treatment course, he had fully returned to competitive play, stronger and more confident than before.
Michael’s case is a powerful example of how non-invasive therapies like shockwave and laser, when combined with expert care, can accelerate healing and restore performance—without surgery or downtime.
Sandra, 54, from St. Charles, MO, had been suffering from persistent shoulder pain caused by calcific tendonitis—a condition where calcium deposits build up in the tendons, leading to inflammation and restricted movement. Daily tasks became painful, and even simple motions like lifting her arm or reaching behind her back were difficult. Her orthopedic specialist mentioned surgery as a possible next step, but Sandra wanted to explore less invasive options first.
She came to Dr. Leitman Chiropractic in search of relief and a more holistic approach to healing. Her personalized treatment plan included a combination of laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and guided chiropractic adjustments. The laser therapy helped reduce deep tissue inflammation and accelerated cellular repair, while shockwave therapy targeted the calcium deposits directly—breaking them down and stimulating healing around the affected tendon. Chiropractic care addressed joint alignment and muscular imbalances contributing to her condition.
After just three treatment sessions, Sandra noticed a dramatic improvement. Her pain significantly decreased, and she gradually regained full range of motion in her shoulder. Most importantly, she avoided surgery altogether and returned to her normal activities without limitations.
Sandra’s story highlights how integrated therapies at Dr. Leitman Chiropractic can provide fast, effective relief—even for chronic, surgery-threatening conditions.
FAQs
Q: Is either therapy painful?
A: Laser therapy is gentle and pain-free. Shockwave therapy may cause mild to moderate discomfort, but it’s tolerable and well-tolerated by most.
Q: How many treatments do I need?
A: Laser therapy often requires 8–12 sessions. Shockwave typically requires 3–6 sessions. Many patients experience relief after just a few.
Q: Are these safe?
A: Yes—both are non-invasive and FDA‑cleared. Contraindications include pacemakers, pregnancy, infections, or active malignancies near the treatment area.
Q: Will my insurance cover it?
A: Some plans cover adjunct chiropractic therapies. Our team will help verify your benefits before treatment begins.
Q: When can I return to activity?
A: You can usually return to light activities right away; high-impact rehab exercises follow shortly after each session.
Conclusion
Laser and shockwave therapies provide innovative, non-invasive treatment options for athletes and active individuals seeking faster recovery, pain relief, and enhanced performance. These advanced modalities stimulate the body’s natural healing processes—reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and promoting tissue regeneration. Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury, chronic pain, or muscle strain, laser and shockwave treatments can significantly shorten your recovery time and help you avoid invasive procedures like surgery.
At Dr. Leitman Chiropractic, we combine these cutting-edge therapies with expert chiropractic care to offer a comprehensive, patient-centered approach. While laser therapy uses gentle light pulses to penetrate deep into tissues and ease inflammation, shockwave therapy delivers focused acoustic energy to break up scar tissue, increase circulation, and stimulate healing in hard-to-reach areas. Together, they deliver a synergistic effect: quickly relieving acute pain while correcting the underlying biomechanical imbalances that caused the problem in the first place.
Our customized treatment plans are tailored to your unique needs and activity level, helping you regain pain-free movement and return to doing what you love—whether that’s training, competing, or staying active with family. Don’t let pain hold you back. Discover the healing potential of laser and shockwave therapies today at Dr. Leitman Chiropractic.
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Dr. Leitman Chiropractic
📍 3920 S Old Highway 94, Suite 33, St. Charles, MO 63304
📞 Call us: (636) 925-1919
🌐 https://drleitman.com
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