LightForce XLi
Laser Therapy
Non-invasive deep tissue laser therapy that reduces inflammation and accelerates healing at the cellular level. Ten-minute sessions. No downtime.
Request ConsultationRichmond, VA · LightForce XLi · 4.9★ Google
TREATMENT TIME
~10 min
Per session
SESSIONS NEEDED
6 to 10
Spaced 2 to 3 times weekly
RECOVERY TIME
None
Return to activity immediately
RESULTS TIMELINE
2 to 6 weeks
Cumulative pain reduction
What is Laser Therapy?
“Laser therapy is regenerative medicine without a needle. Light does the work your body would do on its own, faster.”
Laser therapy uses focused wavelengths of light to penetrate deep into tissue and trigger your body's own healing response. The technical name is photobiomodulation. The mechanism is straightforward: specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light are absorbed by the mitochondria in your cells. That absorption increases cellular energy production, reduces inflammation, and accelerates tissue repair.
What you feel is a gentle warmth on the skin during a session. What is happening underneath is a measurable shift in how your tissue heals.
We use the LightForce XLi, a Class IV deep tissue therapy laser cleared by the FDA for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, arthritis pain, muscle spasm, and stiffness, and for increasing local blood circulation. It is the same platform used by professional sports teams, physical therapy clinics, and pain management practices across the country.
Laser therapy is not a drug. There are no side effects from the light itself. There is no recovery period. For the right condition, it is the gentlest entry point into a treatment plan we offer.
How Laser Therapy Works
A simple, in-office procedure. About ten minutes start to finish.
01
Assess
We identify the area to treat. Your clinical evaluation tells us where to direct the light, at what depth, and at what dose. Laser therapy works because it is precise, not because it is broad.
02
Treat
You sit or lie comfortably while the laser handpiece moves over the treatment area. The light penetrates several centimeters into the tissue. You feel a steady, gentle warmth. There is no pain. Most sessions take eight to twelve minutes.
03
Resume
You walk out and return to your day. There is nothing to recover from. Most patients schedule sessions during a lunch break or before work.
What Laser Therapy Treats
Laser therapy supports a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions where inflammation, soft tissue injury, or chronic joint wear are at the root. The LightForce XLi is FDA cleared for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, arthritis pain, muscle spasm, and stiffness, and for increasing local blood circulation.
Knee Pain
Osteoarthritis, patellar tendonitis, runner's knee, post-surgical recovery
Shoulder Pain
Rotator cuff strain, frozen shoulder, bursitis, impingement
Lower Back Pain
Muscle strain, chronic stiffness, post-injury inflammation
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain, foot inflammation, post-activity recovery
Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
Tendon inflammation, repetitive strain
Sciatica and Nerve Pain
Inflammation along the sciatic pathway, post-injury support
Sports Injuries
Muscle strains, ligament sprains, soft tissue trauma
Arthritis
Joint stiffness, osteoarthritis pain, range of motion support
If your condition is not listed, ask. Laser therapy supports a wider range of issues than most patients expect.
Which Patients Laser Therapy Is Right For
Different cases call for different approaches. Here is how we typically place laser therapy in a treatment plan.
01
EARLY STAGE OR ACUTE
First and only treatment
For early joint wear, recent injuries, and acute inflammation, laser therapy is often the first and only treatment we recommend. Non invasive, no recovery, and frequently delivers meaningful relief within a few sessions. If laser alone resolves your pain, that is where we stop.
02
FOUNDATION FOR REGENERATIVE THERAPY
Entry point to a broader plan
For moderate to advanced cases, laser therapy is often the entry point into a broader plan. Reducing inflammation first creates a better environment for PRP or HA injections to work. Many patients begin with laser, then layer in regenerative therapy as needed.
03
MAINTENANCE AND RECOVERY
Long-term support
For patients who have completed a regenerative protocol, laser therapy supports long term recovery, reduces flare ups, and extends the benefit of prior treatment. Athletes use it between events. Older adults use it through seasonal arthritis cycles.
Your plan is built around your specific case. We will walk you through exactly why we recommend what we recommend.
How Laser Therapy Compares
What you are really weighing when you consider your options.
Laser Therapy LightForce XLi · Class IV | Cortisone Injections | Pain Medication | Physical Therapy Alone | Surgery | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invasiveness | Non-invasive | Injection | Oral | Non-invasive | Surgical |
| Addresses inflammation | Yes, at cellular level | Yes, masks symptoms | Yes, masks symptoms | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Recovery time | None | 1 to 2 days | None | Ongoing | Weeks to months |
| Risk of side effects | Minimal | Moderate | High | Low | High |
| Long-term results | Cumulative, durable | Temporary (3 to 6 months) | Ongoing use required | Variable | Permanent, with risk |
Laser Therapy LightForce XLi · Class IV | Cortisone Injections | Pain Medication | Physical Therapy Alone | Surgery | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invasiveness | Non-invasive | Injection | Oral | Non-invasive | Surgical |
| Addresses inflammation | Yes, at cellular level | Yes, masks symptoms | Yes, masks symptoms | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Recovery time | None | 1 to 2 days | None | Ongoing | Weeks to months |
| Risk of side effects | Minimal | Moderate | High | Low | High |
| Long-term results | Cumulative, durable | Temporary (3 to 6 months) | Ongoing use required | Variable | Permanent, with risk |
What to Expect from a Treatment Series
Real timelines from real patients. Your results will vary based on your condition, severity, and treatment plan.
FIRST 2 TO 3 SESSIONS
Initial response
You begin to notice changes in how the area feels. Many patients report reduced morning stiffness, less pain after activity, or a measurable shift in range of motion. The cellular response is already underway.
SESSIONS 4 TO 6
Compounding relief
This is where the real change starts. Inflammation is dropping. Tissue is healing. Most patients report significant pain reduction and improved function by this point in the series.
SESSIONS 7 TO 10 AND BEYOND
Sustained outcome
Laser therapy results are cumulative. Full benefit typically emerges after a complete series, and continues to improve in the weeks following. Some patients return for periodic maintenance sessions; others do not need to.
85%
of patients receiving laser therapy across published clinical studies report meaningful pain reduction.
Source: Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery, peer-reviewed literature on Class IV laser outcomes.
The Joint Freedom Difference
Not all laser therapy is created equal.
Most clinics offering laser therapy use lower-power Class III lasers, often called “cold lasers.” These devices can help superficial conditions but lack the power to penetrate deep enough to reach joint capsules, deep tendons, or muscle bellies where most chronic pain originates.
We use the LightForce XLi, a Class IV deep tissue therapy laser. The difference is dose. Class IV lasers deliver enough energy at depth to produce a measurable cellular response in the tissue that actually hurts. The same wavelengths, applied at therapeutic dose, in the right anatomical location.
Every protocol is built around precision. Treatment area, depth, and dose are determined by clinical evaluation, not by a one-size-fits-all template.
April Ashworth, AGPCNP-BC explains how Joint Freedom's laser protocol differs from standard offerings.
Real Laser Therapy Patients. Real Results.
Verified reviews from patients across the Richmond metro area.
4.9★
Across 46 verified Google reviews.
Questions About Laser Therapy
Answers from our clinical team.
No. Most patients describe it as a pleasant warmth on the skin. There is no sharp sensation, no needle, no recovery discomfort. It is one of the most comfortable treatments we offer.
Eight to twelve minutes for most areas. Larger areas, such as the lower back or both knees, can take up to twenty minutes. Most patients schedule sessions during a lunch break.
Most patients complete a series of six to ten sessions, scheduled two to three times per week. Acute injuries often resolve in fewer sessions. Chronic conditions may require the full series. Your specific plan is built during your consultation.
Many patients notice changes within the first two to three sessions. Significant pain reduction typically occurs by sessions four to six. Full results are cumulative and continue to develop in the weeks after a series is complete.
Class IV laser therapy has an excellent safety profile. The LightForce XLi is FDA cleared. Side effects are minimal and rare. We screen every patient during consultation. The treatment is not used over active cancer sites, directly over the thyroid, or during pregnancy.
Different power class. Cold lasers are Class III devices and lack the depth penetration needed for joint capsules, deep tendons, or muscle bellies. The LightForce XLi is Class IV, delivering therapeutic dose at depth. Both have a place. Class IV is what most chronic and joint pain conditions require.
Yes. Laser therapy is often the foundation of a broader plan. We frequently combine it with PRP injections, HA injections, or physical therapy. Reducing inflammation first creates better conditions for everything that follows.
In most cases, yes. We may modify intensity for the first week. Movement supports the healing response laser therapy initiates. Full activity restrictions are rare.
Pricing depends on the number of sessions and the area treated. Laser therapy is typically the most accessible entry point in our treatment menu. Exact pricing is provided during your consultation.
Joint Freedom does not bill insurance directly. Laser therapy is generally not covered by insurance. We accept HSA and FSA payments for eligible treatments.
Most patients with musculoskeletal pain are. The best way to know is a free consultation. We assess your condition, walk through your options, and tell you honestly whether laser therapy makes sense.
Your First Visit
Your first visit is a free consultation. No commitment, no pressure. We review your history, evaluate your condition, and discuss whether laser therapy makes sense for you. If it does, we build your treatment plan together and walk you through pricing, timeline, and expectations.
If laser therapy is not right for you, we will tell you that honestly and recommend what is. The consultation takes about thirty minutes. You leave with answers, not a sales pitch.
Pricing
Most laser therapy treatments are affordable out of pocket and represent the most accessible entry point in our treatment menu. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees. You will know exactly what your treatment plan costs before you commit.
Joint Freedom does not bill insurance directly. We accept HSA and FSA payments for eligible treatments.
Explore Other Treatments
Laser therapy works best as part of a broader plan. Learn about our other treatment options.
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma uses your body's own growth factors to repair damaged joints, tendons, and soft tissue. Often layered after a laser series.
JOINT LUBRICATION
HA Injections
Hyaluronic acid restores the natural cushioning in your joints. Ideal for chronic osteoarthritis. Pairs well with laser for inflammation control.
MEN'S HEALTH
Testosterone Therapy
Medically supervised TRT for men. Supports recovery, reduces inflammation, and improves treatment outcomes.
Ready to feel relief?
Find out whether laser therapy is right for you. Free consultation. No pressure. No pitch.
Address
2301 N Parham Rd, Ste 1Henrico, VA 23229
Phone
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9:30am – 4:30pm · Friday: 9:00am – 1:00pm · Saturday & Sunday: Closed
We proudly serve patients throughout the Richmond metropolitan area, including Richmond, Henrico, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, and Chesterfield, and surrounding Virginia communities.