By: Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | Hollywood, Florida
Class IV laser therapy, a photobiomodulation technology used in professional sports and Olympic training settings, is available to competitive and recreational athletes across Broward County at Hollywood Laser Pain Center. The technology is studied for its potential role in supporting the biological processes involved in tissue repair, and many athletes consider it alongside conventional rest and rehabilitation.
Sports injuries left undertreated can become chronic conditions. Achilles tendinopathy that begins as mild post-run soreness can progress into a degenerative tendon issue that takes months to rehabilitate. Early intervention is generally preferred over waiting until the condition becomes chronic.
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, I bring a perspective to sports injury care shaped by my own athletic background. I played college football at Wake Forest University, which gave me an understanding of athletic demands from the inside. Combined with 27-plus years of clinical practice in Hollywood, Florida, Graston Technique certification, and acupuncture training, this background informs an approach to sports injury care that goes beyond the standard RICE protocol.
Why Does Broward County Have a Unique Sports Injury Profile?
South Florida’s year-round warm climate is both an advantage and a clinical challenge for its athletic population. The advantage: outdoor training is possible every month. The challenge: the absence of enforced seasonal rest means athletes never get the involuntary recovery periods that colder climates impose. Year-round athletes who do not proactively manage recovery may accumulate tissue fatigue in a way that seasonal athletes typically do not.
Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has found that chronic tendinopathy, the most prevalent overuse injury in recreational athletes, accounts for approximately 30 percent of all sport-related musculoskeletal injuries. In Broward County’s cycling, running, golf, tennis, swimming, and paddling communities, this translates to a high and consistent volume of overuse presentations that often warrant tissue-level intervention beyond rest and NSAIDs.
What Is Photobiomodulation and How Is It Studied in Sports Medicine?
Photobiomodulation involves the application of near-infrared laser energy to tissue. Research suggests it can stimulate mitochondrial activity and influence the cellular processes involved in tissue repair. A 2017 systematic review in Lasers in Medical Science examined photobiomodulation across a range of musculoskeletal injuries, reporting findings most relevant to tendon and muscle conditions.
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol uses Class IV near-infrared laser energy as part of a broader treatment plan. Sessions typically run 20 to 30 minutes. For acute injuries, treatment is focused on supporting the body’s natural inflammatory and repair processes. For chronic overuse injuries, treatment is aimed at the underlying tendon or muscle tissue that may not respond fully to passive care alone. Each treatment plan is determined on an individual basis following clinical evaluation.
What Does Graston Technique Add for Athletic Tissue Repair?
Tendons and fascial structures subjected to high repetitive loading can develop areas of micro-fibrosis, small deposits of disorganized collagen that may impair tissue mechanics and contribute to injury risk. In cyclists, this commonly appears in the iliotibial band and quadriceps tendon. In golfers and tennis players, it can develop in the forearm extensors and rotator cuff. In runners, the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia are frequent areas of concern.
Graston Technique is an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization method. Applied to these structures, the technique is designed to address the disorganized collagen at the tissue level, with the goal of supporting fibroblast activity and improving tissue glide. It is often used in combination with other modalities as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
What Does the Research Say About Photobiomodulation in Sports Injuries?
A 2014 randomized controlled trial in the American Journal of Sports Medicine examined laser therapy in Achilles tendinopathy and reported improvements in pain and functional outcomes compared to controls. Research in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy has examined photobiomodulation in patellar tendinopathy. For rotator cuff tendinopathy, which is particularly relevant in Broward County’s overhead sport and golf populations, research in Lasers in Medical Science has documented effects on tendon tissue quality and pain measures.
These studies form part of the ongoing body of research informing how Class IV laser therapy is used in sports and rehabilitation settings.
What Sports Injuries Are Commonly Evaluated for Laser Therapy?
Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, IT band syndrome, hamstring and quadriceps strains, patellar tendinitis, ankle ligament sprains, and sport-related lumbar strain are among the conditions commonly evaluated for photobiomodulation in sports medicine settings. Every patient receives a comprehensive evaluation before treatment is recommended.
Visit reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/ to learn more. Patient education content is available at youtube.com/@ReliefNowNation. Contact Hollywood Laser Pain Center at 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333 | reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/
Dr. Mark earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic with honors and has practiced for more than 27 years in Hollywood, Florida. A former collegiate football player at Wake Forest University, he holds certifications in Graston Technique and acupuncture and practices at Broward Medical and Rehab. He is a provider in the national ReliefNow® network.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Effectiveness of treatments may vary depending on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your specific medical needs and treatment options.
