Eliminate pain, treat tissue injury, and enhance recovery and optimize performance with our team of laser & PBM experts.
Laser & photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) use specific wavelengths and power densities of non-invasive lasers and superliminous diodes (SLDs) to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve tissue repair and injury recovery.
Our trained staff will consult with you on the best course of treatment, either as an adjunctive therapy to acupuncture and dry needling performed weekly, or as a stand alone treatment with a typical course of 2-3 times a week for up to 6 weeks.
What is laser & PBM therapy?
Laser & photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) refer to the medical use of specific wavelengths (670-950 nm) of painless, non-invasive laser and superluminescent light. Laser and PBMT provide pain relief, reduce inflammation, and accelerate cellular and tissue repair and injury recovery.
At San Francisco Acupuncture Group, we utilize the best medical, FDA-approved laser and PBMequipment in the field, including devices produced by Thor and Bioflex using high power density laser diodes for eliminating pain and for deep tissue penetration, and low power density superluminescent diodes (SLDs) for promoting healing and reducing inflammation in superficial wounds, tendons and joints.
“I had nerve compression damage in my foot, ankle, and leg from ski boots last year. Franco and the team treated me with laser therapy and it absolutely accelerated the healing process. Franco and the team are amazing!”
—Sean B, San Francisco
“Jonah and San Francisco Acupuncture Group are great folks and well trained, fine healers. I especially appreciated the laser and light therapy. And all of their other skillful approaches too.”
—Jack Kornfield, renowned author and mindfulness teacher
How can laser and PBM therapy help?
The majority of pain conditions involve muscle and soft tissue injury, neuromuscular sensitization and dysfunction, and often inflammation.
Deep-tissue laser and PBM therapy has the unique ability to reduce pain and inflammation and improve tissue repair with a painless, non-invasive treatment free of side-effects. By stimulating enzymes within the mitochondria that produce energy within the cells of affected tissues, PBM and laser therapy can have profound effects on the ability of those tissues to self-repair, eliminate inflammation, and recover from injury.
Among the most common applications of PBM are laser therapy for muscles and laser treatment for back pain, but the technique is effective for a wide range of acute and chronic pain conditions, from acute neck spasm to fibromyalgia, and has also been widely studied and used for its remarkable benefits for the brain, particularly after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
How do laser & PBM therapy work?
Laser & PBM therapy stimulate enzymes and structures within the cells of affected tissues, benefitting a wide variety of conditions involving pain, inflammation, or tissue damage.
Laser & PBM therapy have been shown to increase the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair; reduce oxidative stress and increase ATP within the cell, improving cell metabolism; resolve inflammation and relieve pain.
Laser & PBM therapy have been show to increase:
- The production or release of:
- Endorphin – naturally produced analgesic
- Cortisol – precursor of cortisone
- Growth hormone – instrumental in tissue repair
- ATP – improves and regulates cellular metabolism
- Cellular calcium
- Activation of transcription factors and gene expression
- Protein synthesis
- Collagen
- DNA
- Fibroblasts
- Angiogenesis – elevation of oxygen saturation
- Venous and lymphatic flow
Laser & PBM therapy for pain and injury recovery: What conditions does it treat?
Laser & PBM therapy can be an effective technique to manage acute or chronic pain conditions that impact the body’s muscles, tendons, nerves, and fascia, especially those involving tissue damage and inflammation, including chronic neck and back pain (from muscle or disc injury), tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, chronic headaches or migraines.
It can also be used to treat traumatic injuries and residual pain from historic injuries, and has been studied and used extensively for wound and tissue healing.
“I had my first appointment yesterday for pain in my both my legs. He worked on my right leg first since that was having the most pain. I took an Uber to my appointment from my office which was 4 blocks away because the pain in my legs would keep me from walking. After the appointment, I walked back to my office. My posture was so much better and the pain in my right leg was gone! I cant wait to go back next week! THANK YOU!!!!”
– Patrick L.
About Our laser & PBM therapy expertise
San Francisco Acupuncture Group have been Bay Area leaders in laser & PBM therapy for over 15 years. We are certified in PBM, with extensive training and experience, and we have confidence in our ability to use laser & PBM therapy to help patients.
Our San Francisco laser practice boasts the latest in industry-leading laser & PBM therapy equipment including the LX2.3 Photobiomodulation system by THOR Photomedicine, as well as a Bioflex professional system with laser and SLD arrays.
Our team are medically trained professionals each with at least 20 years of clinical experience, with specialties across acupuncture, integrative medicine, myofascial pain, and injury management. We are dedicated to ongoing professional development to remain at the forefront of our field, and maintain many professional affiliations related to PBM and pain, including:
- Laser & Photobiomodulation (PBM) Certification, THOR Photomedicine, UK
- Photobiomodulation (PBM) Certification, Meditech International, Toronto, Canada
- Member, World Association for Photobiomodulation (WALT)
- Member, SPIE, international society for optics and photonics
- Member, International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
- Member, American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM)
- Member, American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
- Member, World Institute of Pain (WIP)
“Could not ask for a better team; this is the first time that a treatment has helped me in reducing my symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome (which I’ve struggled with for 7 years). Jonah & Franco are the most intelligent, compassionate, and effective healers of pain.
I am so glad I found this place.”– Patricia G., San Francisco
“I can’t say enough about this wonderful place! I had occupation-related upper cervical tension with constant muscle burning sensation, and after just one session, my neck and shoulders felt immediate relief. Not to mention, my runner’s arch pain was taken care of as well. The entire staff is friendly, attentive and compassionate and I can’t imagine what I would do if I didn’t find this place. Highly recommended!.”
– Tatyana P., San Franisco
Ready to get started?
Whether you’re new to laser & PBM therapy or you have prior experience, we look forward to working with you to treat your pain and achieve your goals.
