What is BioFlex Laser Therapy? A Kinesiologist’s Complete Guide
If you’re dealing with chronic pain, a sports injury, or a condition that just won’t heal, maybe you’ve heard about red light therapy, cold laser therapy, or photobiomodulation (PBMT). These are all names for the same thing: a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to help your body heal itself.
At Sparke Wellness, I use BioFlex Laser Therapy, a medical-grade system that combines red and near-infrared light to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair. But what exactly is it? How does it work? And most importantly, could it help you?
Let me break it down.
What is BioFlex Laser Therapy?
BioFlex Laser Therapy (also called Low-Level Laser Therapy or any of the previously mentioned terms) is a treatment that uses red (660nm) and near-infrared (840nm) light to stimulate healing at the cellular level.
Unlike surgical lasers that cut tissue or cosmetic lasers that generate heat, BioFlex uses low-intensity light that penetrates deep into tissue without causing any damage or discomfort. You won’t feel any pain, sometimes just a gentle warmth.
The light is delivered through flexible pads containing hundreds of LEDs. These pads are placed directly on or near the area of pain or injury, and the light goes to work. We also use near-infrared laser diodes, which allows for deeper, more targeted doses of light.
How Does it Actually Work?
Here’s the science in simple terms:
Every cell in your body has tiny “power plants” called mitochondria. These mitochondria make energy in the form of a molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is essentially cellular energy. It fuels everything from muscle contraction to tissue repair.
When cells are injured, inflamed, or stressed, their ability to produce ATP slows down. That means slower healing and more pain. BioFlex Laser Therapy delivers red and near-infrared light that penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the mitochondria which tells them to ramp up ATP production.
More cellular energy (ATP) means:
Faster tissue repair - Your cells can rebuild damaged tissue more efficiently
Reduced inflammation - The light triggers anti-inflammatory responses in your body
Increased circulation - Better blood flow brings nutrients and oxygen to the injured area
Pain reduction - By addressing inflammation and promoting healing, pain decreases naturally
Think of it like photosynthesis for your cells. Plants use light to create energy — your cells can too!
This isn’t alternative medicine. It’s Photobiomodulation, a well-researched therapy backed by hundreds of clinical studies and used in sports medicine, rehabilitation clinics, and pain management centers worldwide.
What Does BioFlex Laser Therapy Treat?
BioFlex is particularly effective for conditions involving pain, inflammation, and tissue damage. Here are some of the most common issues I treat:
Chronic Pain:
Back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain
Knee pain, hip pain, ankle pain
Arthritis and joint inflammation
Headaches and migraines
Sports Injuries:
Tendonitis (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendonitis)
Rotator cuff injuries
Plantar fasciitis
Sprains and strains
Muscle tears
Post-Surgical Recovery:
Joint replacements (knee, hip)
Tendon and ligament repairs
Fracture healing
Scar tissue reduction
Nerve-Related Conditions:
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Sciatica
Disc herniation
TMJ dysfunction
Other Conditions:
Frozen shoulder
Bursitis
Wound healing
Chronic conditions such as firomyalgia
Dermatological conditions such as psoriasis or eczema
This isn’t a comprehensive list. If you’re dealing with pain or an injury that won’t heal, laser therapy may be able to help. The best way to know is through a proper assessment.
What Does a BioFlex Treatment Feel Like?
One of the most common questions I get is: “Does it hurt?”
No, BioFlex Laser Therapy is completely painless.
Most people feel gentle warmth or nothing at all during treatment. Some even find it deeply relaxing.
You’ll either lie on the treatment table or sit comfortably in a chair while I position the laser pads over the area of pain or injury. The pads emit red and near-infrared light (you’ll see a red glow, but the infrared light is invisible to the naked eye).
A typical session can last from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on the area being treated and the severity of your condition.
After treatment, you can resume normal activities immediately. There’s no downtime, no recovery period, and no restrictions.
Rarely, some people experience temporary mild soreness (similar to post-workout soreness) as tissue begins healing. This resolves within 24-48 hours and is actually a sign that the therapy is working!
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
This is the question everyone wants answered, and the honest answer is:
It depends.
Every person’s body heals at a different rate, and every condition is unique.
Treatment frequency typically starts at 3 sessions per week for the first 1-2 weeks, then tapers to 2 sessions per week, and eventually once per week as you heal.
We reassess regularly and adjust protocol based on your progress. Some people heal faster than expected, others need more time. Healing could take anywhere from 1-30 sessions. The goal is always to get you to the point where you no longer need treatment, in the fewest number of sessions possible.
Why Work With a Kinesiologist?
Kinesiologists specialize in human movement, exercise therapy, and injury rehabilitation. When laser therapy is combined with proper movement programming, posture correction, or strengthening exercises, the results are often even better. BioFlex also works well in tandem with other treatment modalities such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, or massage therapy. They’re complementary; it’s not an “either/or” situation. Think of BioFlex Laser Therapy as one powerful tool in a complete rehabilitation plan. It helps you reduce inflammation and pain so you can move better, recover faster, and get back to the activities you love.
Ready to Try BioFlex Laser Therapy?
If you’re dealing with pain or an injury that’s affecting your quality of life, laser therapy may be exactly what you need.
At Sparke Wellness, I work one-on-one with clients to create personalized treatment plans that address the root cause of pain, not just the symptoms.
Whether you’re an athlete recovering from injury, someone managing chronic pain, or simply want to move through life without limitations, I’m here to help.
Book your initial assessment today and let’s get you back to doing what you love, pain-free!