Laser Therapy & Red Light Therapy in Nevada City, CA
Drug-free light therapy that reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and helps injured tissue heal.
Laser therapy — also called red light therapy or photobiomodulation — uses targeted therapeutic light to stimulate healing deep in muscles, tendons, and joints. At Sierra Spine & Fitness, we use Class IV high-powered laser alongside focused and radial shockwave, EMTT, and rehabilitation to help active adults in Nevada City and Grass Valley recover from injury and chronic pain.
Class IV laser treatment in progress
Light that helps tissue heal
Pain medication tells your brain to stop feeling pain. Laser therapy tells your cells to start healing. By delivering specific wavelengths of light deep into injured tissue, laser therapy stimulates the cellular processes that repair damage and reduce inflammation — making it a natural fit for active adults who want to recover, not just mask symptoms.
- Targets inflammation and pain at the cellular level, not just the surface
- Penetrates deep into muscles, tendons, and joints that creams and heat can't reach
- Supports the body's natural healing response instead of masking symptoms
- No needles, no drugs, and no downtime after treatment
- Safe to combine with shockwave, EMTT, chiropractic, and rehabilitation
Photobiomodulation, explained
Red light therapy and laser therapy both fall under a field called photobiomodulation — the use of specific wavelengths of light to trigger healing in the body's cells. When therapeutic light reaches injured or inflamed tissue, it is absorbed by the mitochondria (the energy-producing centers of your cells), increasing ATP production and kick-starting repair.
Class IV high-powered laser delivers deeper penetration than standard red light panels, reaching muscles, joints, and deep tendons — which is why it is widely used in chiropractic and sports-medicine clinics for injury recovery and pain relief.
Class IV Laser vs. Red Light Therapy
Both use therapeutic light, but they deliver it differently. We select the right approach based on how deep your injury sits and what your tissue needs.
Class IV High-Powered Laser
- Delivers higher-energy light deeper into tissue
- Ideal for muscles, joints, and deep tendon injuries
- Used for back pain, neck pain, shoulder, knee, and auto injuries
- Produces a noticeable warming sensation during treatment
Red Light Therapy (LLLT)
- Uses lower-energy wavelengths for surface and shallow tissue
- Supports skin, superficial tendons, and widespread inflammation
- Gentle, painless, and calming during treatment
- Often used as a complement to deeper-tissue therapies
From acute injury to chronic joint pain
What does laser therapy feel like?
- Each session lasts 5–10 minutes depending on the area treated
- You'll feel a soothing, gentle warmth over the injured area
- Treatment is painless — many patients find it relaxing
- No anesthesia, injections, or recovery time required
- You can return to normal activity immediately afterward
- A short series of treatments typically delivers the best results
A series for best results
Most patients benefit from a short series of treatments. Acute injuries often respond quickly, while chronic conditions may need several sessions as cellular repair builds. Treatments are typically scheduled two to three times per week, and you'll often notice changes within the first few visits.
During your consultation, we'll discuss expected treatment frequency based on your condition and activity goals.
Studied, safe, and drug-free
Laser therapy and red light therapy have been studied extensively in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and pain management. When applied properly, treatment is non-invasive, drug-free, and non-surgical. Side effects are rare and typically limited to a mild, temporary warmth in the treated area.
If laser therapy is not appropriate for your condition, we'll tell you.
You may be a good candidate if you…
- Have acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain that isn't resolving on its own
- Want a drug-free, non-surgical option before considering injections or surgery
- Are recovering from an auto injury or whiplash
- Want to enhance the results of rehab, shockwave, or chiropractic care
Schedule a Free Phone Consult
Not sure if laser or red light therapy is right for your pain? We offer a free phone consultation to review your condition, activity demands, and goals — and help you decide if laser therapy makes sense for you.
Sierra Spine & Fitness LLC • Dr. Craig Roberts, D.C. • 582 Searls Ave, Nevada City, CA
Sources & cited research
- Chung H, et al. The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy. Ann Biomed Eng.
- Avci P, et al. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Semin Cutan Med Surg.
- Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys.
- Chow RT, et al. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain. Lancet.
- Alayat MS, et al. Long-term effect of high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain. Lasers Med Sci.
Common conditions laser therapy can help
Schedule a laser therapy consultation.
If you're dealing with persistent joint, tendon, or muscle pain in Nevada City or Grass Valley, contact Sierra Spine & Fitness to find out whether laser or red light therapy is right for you.
582 Searls Ave, Nevada City, CA 95959
- Monday9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 6:00pm
- Tuesday9:00am – 1:30pm
- Wednesday9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 6:00pm
- ThursdayClosed
- Friday9:00am – 4:00pm
- Saturday & SundayClosed