What Is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses concentrated light energy delivered in a narrow beam to treat damaged and inflamed tissue beneath the skin. Unlike surgical lasers, the equipment used at Minnesota ChiroWorks is designed specifically for therapeutic use: it penetrates the skin without cutting or burning.
When the laser reaches the underlying tissue, it triggers a process that increases cellular energy production (ATP), stimulates circulation, and helps the body clear out inflammatory byproducts. The result is accelerated tissue repair, reduced swelling, and meaningful pain relief, without medication or needles.
When Pain and Inflammation Aren't Responding to Adjustment Alone
Chiropractic care is remarkably effective for musculoskeletal pain, but some conditions respond best to a combination of approaches. Chronic nerve pain, stubborn tendon injuries, arthritic joints, and post-injury inflammation can linger even when spinal alignment is addressed. That's where laser therapy comes in.
Laser therapy works at the cellular level to accelerate healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain in a way that complements what chiropractic adjustments do structurally. At Minnesota ChiroWorks, it's one of several tools Dr. Garcia and Dr. Scarfia use to get patients better, faster.
Conditions commonly treated with laser therapy at Minnesota ChiroWorks include:
- Neuropathy and chronic nerve pain
- Neck pain and low back pain
- Tendinitis and bursitis
- Knee, shoulder, and joint pain (including arthritis)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Fractures and acute soft tissue injuries
Laser Therapy at Minnesota ChiroWorks
Dr. Richard Garcia, DC and Dr. Steve Scarfia, DC both integrate laser therapy into patient care at Minnesota ChiroWorks in Fridley. Rather than offering it as a standalone add-on, they use it as a targeted complement to chiropractic adjustment, soft tissue work, and rehabilitation.
Dr. Scarfia brings specialized soft tissue expertise to laser cases through his FAKTR certification (soft tissue and rehabilitation), Graston M1 certification (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization), and McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) training: credentials that directly inform how he evaluates and treats the tissue-level conditions that respond to laser therapy.
Minnesota ChiroWorks is in-network with Medicare and Medicaid and accepts most major insurance plans, making laser therapy accessible without out-of-pocket surprises.
What to Expect During Laser Therapy
Assessment
Treatment
Your Plan
What Laser Therapy Can Do for You
- Pain relief without medication. Laser therapy addresses inflammation and tissue damage at the source, reducing pain without the side effects of NSAIDs or other drugs.
- Faster recovery from injury. Accelerated cellular repair means less time sidelined by acute injuries like sprains, strains, and fractures.
- Relief for nerve pain and neuropathy. Laser therapy is one of the few non-invasive tools that can directly address nerve tissue, making it particularly valuable for patients with peripheral neuropathy or chronic neurological symptoms.
- Better outcomes when combined with chiropractic care. Research has shown that patients receiving both chiropractic adjustment and laser therapy experience greater improvement than those receiving either treatment alone.
Chiropractic Physician
“A physician skilled and specializing in the manual adjustments of joints (mainly of the spine) to restore normal function to the greatest extent possible.”
We are evidence based, patient centered, and results driven. We believe that there is no one single provider for optimum health, and we believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Therapy
No. Laser therapy is completely non-invasive and painless. Most patients find it comfortable and even relaxing: the sensation is typically a gentle warmth over the treatment area.
It depends on the condition being treated and its severity. Acute injuries may respond quickly, while chronic conditions like neuropathy typically benefit from a longer series. Dr. Garcia or Dr. Scarfia will give you a clear recommendation after your initial assessment.
Minnesota ChiroWorks is in-network with Medicare and Medicaid and accepts most major insurance plans. Laser therapy coverage varies by plan. Contact the clinic to confirm your specific benefits before your visit.
Laser therapy is used at Minnesota ChiroWorks to treat neuropathy, neck and back pain, joint pain, tendinitis, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and soft tissue injuries. If you are unsure whether your condition is a good fit, Dr. Garcia or Dr. Scarfia can assess this at your first visit.
Therapeutic lasers like the ones used at Minnesota ChiroWorks are low-level devices designed to stimulate healing in tissue: they do not cut or burn. They are fundamentally different from the high-powered surgical lasers used in procedures like LASIK or tumor removal.
Yes, and in most cases that is exactly how the team at Minnesota ChiroWorks uses it. Chiropractic adjustment addresses structural alignment; laser therapy works on the tissue and nerve level. Together, they address more of what is driving your symptoms.
Ready to Try Laser Therapy in Fridley?
Same-day appointments are often available. No referral needed.
Minnesota ChiroWorks serves Fridley, Spring Lake Park, Columbia Heights, and the surrounding north Twin Cities metro. Dr. Richard Garcia, DC and Dr. Steve Scarfia, DC are accepting new patients and same-day appointments are often available.
Book online or call the clinic at (763) 571-0239.
The Minnesota ChiroWorks, PC d/b/a Spine Care Fridley
7872 University Ave NE,Fridley, MN
55432 View Staff & Treatments
