Cold Laser Therapy in Knoxville, TN
Cold laser therapy is a gentle treatment option we may use when irritated tissue needs support without adding more stress to an already sensitive area.
Book Your AppointmentWhat Cold Laser Therapy Does
Reviewed by: Dr. Craig A. Hennie, D.C.
Role: Chiropractor
License/registration: NPI: 1467696161 | Tennessee State Chiropractic License Number: DC0000001884
Reviewed for: clinical accuracy, patient safety, scope-of-practice accuracy, and service appropriateness
Last reviewed: July 09, 2026
Cold laser therapy uses low-level light applied to targeted tissue to support the body’s natural healing response and calm irritated areas without heat or forceful pressure. It is often considered for soft-tissue irritation, joint discomfort, inflammation-related pain, and recovery support when the area is too sensitive for more aggressive care.
At Homberg Chiropractic & Wellness, cold laser therapy is used in context. Dr. Hennie evaluates what is driving the symptoms, how the area is moving, and whether laser therapy belongs in the plan. It may be paired with chiropractic care, functional rehabilitation, RPW therapy, dry needling, or non-spinal care when those services are appropriate for the patient’s condition and goals.
What Is Low-Level Laser Therapy?
Cold laser therapy is also commonly referred to as low-level laser therapy, or LLLT. Unlike surgical lasers, which use heat to cut or remove tissue, low-level laser therapy uses light at a much lower intensity. The treatment does not involve cutting, burning, anesthesia, or recovery time.
During treatment, low-level light is applied to the targeted area. The purpose is to support the body’s natural healing response and help calm irritated tissues without adding extra pressure or stress to the area. Because the laser is considered “cold,” patients typically do not feel heat during the treatment.
Low-level laser therapy may be used when muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, or soft tissues are irritated and need gentle support. It may be especially helpful when pain or inflammation makes movement uncomfortable, or when the body needs additional support as part of a broader rehabilitation plan.
At Homberg Chiropractic & Wellness, low-level laser therapy is always considered within the context of your full evaluation. The goal is not just to treat the painful area, but to understand what may be causing the irritation and how laser therapy may fit into a larger plan for improved movement and function.
MLS Laser Therapy and Cold Laser Therapy
Some patients search for terms like “MLS laser therapy,” “low-level laser therapy,” or “cold laser therapy” when they are looking for non-surgical light-based treatment options. These terms are related, but they are not always interchangeable.
MLS laser therapy refers to a specific type of laser technology. Cold laser therapy and low-level laser therapy are broader terms that may refer to different light-based devices depending on the clinic and equipment used.
At Homberg Chiropractic & Wellness, we explain the type of laser therapy being used during your visit and how it may fit into your care plan. If cold laser therapy is recommended, Dr. Hennie will review why it may be appropriate for your symptoms, what area is being treated, and what other services may be included to support better function.
The most important factor is not the name of the device alone. It is whether the treatment is appropriate for your condition, your stage of healing, and your overall care goals.
Cold Laser Therapy in Knoxville, TN
Homberg Chiropractic & Wellness offers cold laser therapy at our Knoxville clinic located at 111 Northview Street, near the Bearden area and Kingston Pike. This location makes care convenient for patients coming from Bearden, West Knoxville, Sequoyah Hills, downtown Knoxville, and nearby University of Tennessee areas.
Cold laser therapy may be recommended for patients dealing with irritated joints, soft tissue sensitivity, inflammation-related pain, tendon irritation, muscle discomfort, or areas that feel too sensitive for more forceful treatment. For many patients, this can be helpful when pain is affecting daily activities like sitting at work, walking, lifting, exercising, driving, sleeping, or getting through errands around Knoxville.
If you are coming from Kingston Pike, you can turn onto Northview Street and follow it to the clinic. Because the office is close to one of Bearden’s main corridors, patients can often schedule cold laser therapy around work, school, errands, or other appointments in the area.
At Homberg Chiropractic & Wellness, cold laser therapy is not treated as a standalone quick fix. Dr. Hennie evaluates your symptoms, movement, injury history, and overall function to determine whether cold laser therapy is appropriate for your condition. When included in care, it may be used alongside chiropractic adjustments, functional rehabilitation, dry needling, radial pressure wave therapy, spinal curve rehabilitation, or other services based on your needs.
Cold laser therapy may be considered for back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, joint discomfort, plantar fasciitis, tendon irritation, soft tissue sensitivity, or inflammation-related pain. The goal is to support irritated tissue while also addressing the movement, posture, and mechanical factors that may be contributing to the problem.
Before your visit, please check our current office hours and note that the clinic closes for lunch daily from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. If you have questions about parking, accessibility, appointment timing, or whether cold laser therapy may be appropriate for your symptoms, our team can help you plan your visit before you arrive.
If you are looking for cold laser therapy near Bearden, Kingston Pike, or West Knoxville, Homberg Chiropractic & Wellness offers evaluation-based care in a convenient Knoxville location.
Benefits Of Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy may help support irritated joints, muscles, tendons, and soft tissue when pain or sensitivity makes movement harder than it should be. The benefit is that it can be applied gently while the larger plan addresses function, strength, and mechanics. Dr. Hennie uses cold laser as one tool within a structured care plan, not as a replacement for understanding why the symptoms started.
Dr. Hennie has completed cold laser training and brings that knowledge into broader chiropractic evaluation and treatment planning. Book an evaluation when pain, inflammation, or tissue sensitivity is limiting work, walking, lifting, sleep, or exercise. Seek urgent medical care first for severe trauma, open wounds, signs of infection, sudden weakness, chest pain, unexplained swelling, fever, or symptoms that are rapidly worsening.
Conditions Cold Laser Therapy May Help
Cold laser therapy may be considered when inflammation, soft-tissue irritation, or joint sensitivity contributes to pain, stiffness, or reduced function. It may be especially useful when an area feels too sensitive for more forceful treatment, or when care needs a gentler support option while movement and mechanics are also addressed.
Back Pain Treatment
We assess spinal structure, nerve irritation, injury history, and movement patterns to address what is driving back pain.
Knee Pain Treatment
We assess the hip, ankle, pelvis, and patellar tracking to find what is loading the knee.
Ankle Pain and Injury Treatment
We restore ankle mechanics and address compensation patterns that can lead to recurring sprains or instability.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
We assess the foot, ankle, and lower chain to address the load driving heel and arch pain.
Golfer’s Elbow and Tennis Elbow Treatment
We combine RPW, soft tissue care, extremity adjusting, and upper-chain assessment for chronic elbow pain.
Arthritis and Joint Pain Treatment
We help arthritic joints move better, reduce restriction, and support long-term strength and independence.
Shoulder Pain Treatment
We evaluate the shoulder as part of a connected system by assessing the joint, rotator cuff, neck, and upper back.
How We Use Cold Laser Therapy In Patient Care
Cold laser therapy begins with a clear decision about whether the irritated area is appropriate for light-based support. Dr. Hennie may evaluate the painful region, surrounding joints, activity triggers, and the stage of the problem. Some patients need calming support first. Others need movement correction, strengthening, or a different service before laser therapy makes sense.
When cold laser therapy is included, light is applied to the targeted area as part of the treatment visit. The care plan may also include chiropractic adjustments, functional exercise, non-spinal care, RPW therapy, or dry needling depending on the findings. The goal is not to throw every tool at the problem. It is to choose the right support for your body, your symptoms, and your stage of care.
What Our Patients Say
Related Services For Pain Relief And Recovery
Chiropractic Care
We combine exam-informed adjustments, standing X-rays when indicated, Zone Technique, and rehab to restore function, not just relieve symptoms.
Learn More
Radial Pressure Wave Therapy
RPW therapy uses acoustic energy to support healing in chronic soft tissue injuries, tendinopathies, and stubborn muscular restriction.
Learn More
Spinal Curve Rehabilitation
We use extension traction and Denneroll protocols to help restore spinal curves and support longer-lasting structural correction.
Learn More
Dry Needling
Dry needling targets trigger points to release deep muscular tension, restore movement, and support structural correction.
Learn MoreMeet The Team Behind Your Personalized Care
Dr. Craig Hennie, Chiropractor
Dr. Craig Hennie has served Knoxville Bearden since graduating from Cleveland Chiropractic College in 2002. His recovery from chronic post-accident headaches shaped his function-first approach. He is Zone Certified, Board Qualified for Acupuncture, a Certified Medical Examiner, and trained in whiplash rehabilitation, cold laser therapy, kinesio taping, and non-spinal disorders.
Meet the Team
Madison McGill, Office Manager and Chiropractic Therapy Assistant
Madison keeps the clinic running with the efficiency and warmth that sets the tone for every patient experience. She is a certified chiropractic therapy assistant with more than four years in the chiropractic field.
Meet the Team
Salem Plaag, Chiropractic Therapy Assistant
Salem brings experience and attention to detail to every patient interaction as a certified chiropractic therapy assistant.
Meet the TeamWhat to Expect During Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy begins with an evaluation to determine whether light-based therapy is appropriate for your symptoms. Dr. Hennie may assess the painful area, surrounding joints, movement patterns, activity triggers, and any signs that another type of care may be needed first.
If cold laser therapy is included in your visit, the device is applied to the targeted area for a set amount of time. The treatment is gentle and does not involve needles, incisions, heat, or forceful pressure. Most patients can relax during the treatment, and many do not feel much sensation while the laser is being applied.
The number of sessions recommended depends on your condition, how long the issue has been present, how irritated the area is, and how your body responds to care. Some patients may use cold laser therapy for a short-term flare-up, while others may include it as part of a longer care plan for chronic or recurring symptoms.
After treatment, Dr. Hennie may recommend chiropractic care, functional exercises, dry needling, radial pressure wave therapy, or movement guidance depending on your findings. Cold laser therapy is often used as one part of a broader plan to help reduce irritation, improve movement, and support recovery.
You should seek urgent medical care first if you have severe trauma, signs of infection, sudden weakness, unexplained swelling, fever, chest pain, open wounds, or symptoms that are rapidly worsening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources And Clinical References
PubMed Central: Low-Intensity LASER And LED (Photobiomodulation Therapy) For Pain Control Of The Most Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. Supports: photobiomodulation and low-level light therapy language for selected musculoskeletal pain presentations.
PubMed: Quality Appraisal Of Systematic Reviews On High-Intensity Laser Therapy For Musculoskeletal Pain Management: An Umbrella Review. Supports: laser-therapy evidence-limit framing, including the need to avoid device-class superiority and guaranteed tissue-healing claims.
PubMed: Efficacy Of Low-Level Laser Therapy In Patients With Lower Extremity Tendinopathy Or Plantar Fasciitis. Supports: adjunctive laser-therapy support for selected lower-extremity tendinopathy and plantar-fascia presentations.
Serving Knoxville, Bearden, And Nearby Communities
Homberg Chiropractic & Wellness serves patients from Knoxville, Bearden, Sequoyah Hills, West Knoxville, areas near downtown Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee community. Our location and care model are built for patients who want a thorough evaluation, clear recommendations, and function-focused chiropractic care.