Laser therapy for sports injuries in Calgary is one of the most underused recovery tools available. While most athletes default to rest, ice, and physiotherapy, photobiomodulation works at the cellular level to speed up the biological processes your body uses to repair itself.
Here is how it works and why it is worth adding to your recovery plan.
What Is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold laser therapy, or photobiomodulation, uses red and infrared light to stimulate the mitochondria in injured cells and accelerate ATP production. The result is faster cellular repair, less inflammation, and better circulation to the injured area, with no heat, no needles, and no downtime.
At Orthosports Calgary we use the BioFlex system, approved by Health Canada for temporary relief of pain, muscle spasm, stiffness, and improved local circulation.
The full breakdown of the technology, the conditions we treat, and our treatment protocols is on the laser therapy page. This post focuses on one thing: what laser therapy does for sports injuries specifically.
Which Sports Injuries Respond Best?
Cold laser therapy is effective across a wide range of soft tissue injuries. Here are the most common sports injuries we treat with laser at Orthosports:
Ligament Sprains
Ankle sprains, knee sprains, and wrist sprains all involve torn ligament fibers. Laser therapy accelerates ligament regeneration by increasing cellular activity in the healing tissue, reducing the overall recovery timeline.
Hamstring and Muscle Strains
Muscle fiber tears benefit from the anti-inflammatory and circulation-boosting effects of photobiomodulation. Laser therapy is frequently used by runners and cyclists dealing with hamstring, calf, or quadriceps strains.
Shin Splints
Medial tibial stress syndrome involves inflammation of the periosteum (the tissue covering the shin bone). Laser therapy reduces this inflammation directly, allowing runners to recover faster and return to training with less recurrence risk.
Shoulder Impingement
Rotator cuff irritation and shoulder impingement respond well to laser when combined with manual therapy to address the underlying mechanical cause.
Tendinopathy
Whether it is Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, or tennis elbow, tendons have poor blood supply and heal slowly on their own. Laser therapy improves local circulation to tendon tissue and accelerates the repair process.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
For athletes dealing with overuse injuries from high-volume training, laser therapy provides a non-invasive way to manage inflammation between training sessions.
What to Expect at Orthosports
Laser therapy sessions at Orthosports are booked as standalone appointments, separate from your regular massage or osteopathy treatment.
A session typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes. You will remove clothing from the treatment area, and your therapist will position the BioFlex applicator directly on the skin over the injured area. No discomfort, no downtime.
For many sports injuries, we combine laser therapy with RAPID NeuroFascial Reset, deep tissue massage, or a broader sports therapy massage plan. Laser reduces inflammation and stimulates cellular repair; manual therapy addresses the soft tissue and fascial components of the injury. Together, they produce faster and more lasting results than either approach alone.
What Laser Therapy Cannot Do
Cold laser therapy will not repair a complete ligament or tendon rupture on its own. Grade 3 tears and full structural injuries typically require surgical intervention followed by rehabilitation.
Laser is also not a substitute for addressing the mechanical or movement causes of an injury. If you are a runner with recurring hamstring strains, laser therapy alone will not prevent the next one. That is where the combination with manual therapy and proper movement assessment becomes important.
Used appropriately and in combination with other treatments, laser therapy is one of the most effective tools available for speeding up soft tissue recovery.
Book your assessment — Orthosports Calgary, 205-222 58 Ave SW (Manchester Industrial, near Chinook Mall) · 403-984-9962
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after a sports injury can I start laser therapy?
In most cases, laser therapy can begin within 24 to 48 hours of a soft tissue injury. Early intervention often produces the best results by reducing acute inflammation before it becomes chronic. Your therapist will assess the injury at your first appointment.
Is laser therapy covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. Some extended health benefit plans in Alberta include coverage for therapeutic laser treatments. Check with your provider before booking.
How many sessions will I need for a sports injury?
Most acute sports injuries respond in 3 to 6 sessions. More chronic or complex injuries may require 8 to 12. Your therapist will recommend a course of treatment after assessing your injury.
Can I keep training while receiving laser therapy?
In most cases, yes, with modified load. Laser therapy has no downtime, so it does not interfere with training the way some manual techniques can. Your therapist will advise which movements to reduce while the tissue heals.
Ready to try laser therapy for your sports injury? Book a session at Orthosports Calgary, located in Manchester Industrial near Chinook Mall at 205-222 58 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2H 2S3. Call us at 403-984-9962 or book online.