If pain has stopped responding to rest, ice and ibuprofen, the problem usually isn’t that you need a stronger painkiller. It’s that the inflammation driving the pain hasn’t resolved, and nothing you’ve tried has actually reached the tissue.
Aspen Apex Laser Therapy is a drug-free, non-invasive way to address that directly. We offer it at A Chiropractic Wellness Place in Chelmsford, MA, and it has become one of the tools we reach for most — particularly for patients whose pain is too acute for hands-on work to be comfortable yet.
Dr. Mark Chiungos has been practicing in Chelmsford since 1999. Call (978) 376-8190 to find out whether laser therapy fits what you’re dealing with.
What Laser Therapy Actually Does
Therapeutic laser — also called photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy or cold laser therapy — delivers specific wavelengths of light into tissue below the skin.
Those wavelengths are absorbed by the mitochondria inside your cells, the structures that produce cellular energy. The working mechanism is that this absorption increases ATP production, which supports the cell’s own repair processes, while also influencing local blood flow and the inflammatory response in the area.
In practical terms, that’s aimed at three things: less inflammation, less pain, and better conditions for the tissue to repair itself. It isn’t a painkiller masking a signal — the intent is to change what’s happening in the tissue producing the signal.
Why the Aspen Apex system specifically
Not all therapeutic lasers are equivalent, and the difference matters. Two things distinguish the Aspen Apex:
- Multiple wavelengths. Different wavelengths penetrate to different depths and are absorbed by different targets. The Apex delivers three specific light waves rather than one, which allows treatment of both superficial and deeper structures in the same session.
- Class IV power. Higher output means meaningful energy reaches deeper tissue in a reasonable treatment time. A low-power device may be perfectly fine for something just under the skin and simply not reach a deep hip or lumbar structure.
What We Use It For
Laser therapy isn’t a standalone answer to everything, and we don’t present it that way. Where it earns its place:
- Acute inflammation — a flared-up low back, an irritated shoulder, an ankle that’s still hot two weeks later
- Sciatica and nerve irritation — reducing inflammation around a compressed nerve root, often alongside SpineMED® spinal decompression
- Arthritic joints — knees, hips, hands, and the spinal facet joints
- Muscle strains and soft-tissue injuries — supporting repair rather than just waiting it out
- Tendon and overuse problems — tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff irritation
- Neck pain and tension headaches
The most common role it plays here is as the thing that makes the rest of your care possible. When an area is inflamed enough that adjusting it would be uncomfortable, laser first often means we can do the manual work sooner and more comfortably.
What a Session Is Like
There’s very little to it, which surprises people who were expecting something more involved.
You stay fully clothed, or we expose the treatment area — no gowns, no prep. A handheld emitter is moved slowly over the region being treated. Most people feel a gentle, pleasant warmth; some feel nothing at all. It doesn’t hurt, and there’s no burning sensation. You’ll wear protective eyewear, and so will we.
A session typically runs about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the area and the condition. There’s no recovery time and no downtime — you get up, get your coat, and drive yourself home or back to work.
How many sessions
This is where we’d rather be honest than encouraging. Laser therapy is cumulative — it works over a series of treatments, not in one visit, and the number varies with what’s being treated and how long it’s been going on. Some patients notice a change early; others need to be several sessions in before the picture is clear.
What we won’t do is quote you a number before we’ve examined you, or sell you a fixed package up front. We’ll estimate after your evaluation, reassess as we go, and tell you if it isn’t working rather than running out the block.
Is It Safe? Who Shouldn’t Have It?
Therapeutic laser has a good safety record and side effects are uncommon. Eye protection is mandatory during treatment for both patient and provider — that’s the one non-negotiable.
There are situations where we don’t use it, or use it with modification:
- Directly over a known or suspected cancerous lesion
- Over the abdomen during pregnancy
- Directly over the thyroid gland
- Over an area with active bleeding, or for patients on certain photosensitizing medications
- Directly over an implanted pacemaker or similar device
Tell us your full medication list and health history at your evaluation. Some common medications increase light sensitivity, which changes how we’d approach treatment.
Laser therapy treats pain and inflammation. It does not diagnose what’s causing them. If your pain is new, severe, following an injury, or accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss, progressive weakness or numbness, or any change in bladder or bowel control, get evaluated before you treat — that’s true here and anywhere.
Insurance and Cost
Most insurance plans don’t cover therapeutic laser therapy, which is worth knowing before you start rather than after. We accept Medicare, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan, BlueCross BlueShield and UniCare/GIC for covered chiropractic services, and we’ll be upfront about what’s covered and what isn’t in your specific plan. Call the office and we’ll walk you through it before your first appointment.
Laser Therapy in Chelmsford and the Merrimack Valley
Class IV laser is still relatively uncommon in the area, and patients come to us for it from across the Merrimack Valley.
Our office is at 5 Fletcher Street in Chelmsford, off Route 3 and easy to reach from I-495. We regularly see patients from Chelmsford, North Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Westford, Billerica and Lowell.
A Chiropractic Wellness Place, PC
5 Fletcher Street, Chelmsford, MA 01824
(978) 376-8190
Schedule an evaluation · More about Aspen Apex Laser Therapy · What to expect as a new patient
FAQ
Chiropractic
Most insurance policies offer some chiropractic coverage. Dr. Chiungos works with Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Tufts Health Plan, Unicare/GIC, and Medicare. See the No Surprises Act for more information.
Absolutely. Chiropractic as a profession is more than 100 years old. We follow industry guidelines during our new patient induction process to minimize risk and maximize benefit. Chiropractic malpractice insurance is considered by many to be the least costly professional insurance in the healthcare industry because chiropractic is generally considered a safe, manual therapy.
It depends on your mechanism of injury and your current state of health. You might start feeling better as soon as your adjustment is finished. You might need to go home and ice (Dr. Chiungos will advise you). If your injury is serious, it may take several visits. But your healing has begun from the first adjustment. Your personal care plan is designed to take you from where you are today to your best possible outcome. Dr. Chiungos will keep you updated on your progress at each visit.
SpineMED®
Decompression treatment (SpineMED spinal decompression) is generally not covered by standard health insurance plans as a standalone procedure. However, the answer depends on your specific plan, insurer, and how care is billed — so it is always worth asking Dr. Chiungos and your insurance provider directly.
Does Medicare Cover Spinal Decompression?
Medicare does not typically cover non-surgical spinal decompression as a standalone service. Medicare Part B may cover chiropractic spinal manipulation (adjustment) when medically necessary, but SpineMED table decompression sessions fall outside current Medicare coverage guidelines. Dr. Chiungos will review your Medicare coverage with you before starting care and explain exactly what to expect cost-wise.
What About BCBS (Blue Cross Blue Shield)?
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans vary significantly by state and plan type. Some BCBS plans include chiropractic benefits that cover related services, but most classify spinal decompression as investigational or not medically necessary under their criteria. If you have BCBS, bring your insurance card to your first visit and our team will help you verify your benefits.
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Harvard Pilgrim covers chiropractic care at varying levels depending on your plan, but spinal decompression via the SpineMED table is generally not a covered benefit. Routine chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy referrals, and other related services may apply toward your deductible or copay — Dr. Chiungos will discuss which components of your treatment plan may qualify.
Tufts Health Plan
Tufts Health Plan participants should review their specific chiropractic benefit tier. Tufts covers chiropractic adjustments for most plans, typically requiring a referral or pre-authorization depending on your plan level. As with other insurers, the decompression component itself is often excluded. We will work with you to maximize any covered services within your plan.
UniCare
UniCare (offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for state employees and others) follows similar guidelines. Chiropractic manipulation may be covered, while decompression therapy is generally not a covered benefit under most UniCare contracts.
What Will I Pay Out of Pocket?
If Dr. Chiungos recommends spinal decompression as part of your care plan, he will sit down with you before treatment begins to review all costs, discuss any available payment plans, and make sure you receive full informed consent. No surprises. His priority is that you understand exactly what your investment looks like so you can make the best decision for your health and your budget.
To check your specific benefits or get a pre-treatment cost estimate, call our Chelmsford office at (978) 376-8190.
Spinal Disc Decompression with the SpineMED® Table has shown to be safe and generally without major side effects or complications once abnormal conditions have been ruled out. The process is so safe and comfortable, it’s not uncommon for patients to fall asleep!
- Patients under 12 years old
- If you had spinal surgery that involved clips, mesh or fusion
- If you have fractures, tumors or infections
- If you have osteoporosis or spondylolisthesis where there’s been a fracture or non-union defect in the spine, where that segment that we want to traction is unstable
Damaged intervertebral discs seldom heal as the discs are constantly under pressure from muscular spasm—during normal activities, and even while sleeping! SpineMED is designed to reduce the pressure in the discs, promoting the influx of vital fluids, nutrients and oxygen back into the discs to assist the body’s natural rebuilding process. This process may speed up the natural repair and could eventually heal damaged spinal discs.
Sessions are typically 30 minutes long. It could take 15 to 25 sessions or more to see some relief from your discomfort. That’s variable based on your status and the condition we’re treating. Ideally, the sessions are performed daily with rest on the weekend.
Aspen Laser
Laser treatment, as used in chiropractic offices, is not currently covered by health insurance. If Dr. Chiungos believes this is an integral part of your treatment plan, he will discuss all costs and potential discounts before the start of care.
Laser therapy has been in use for over thirty years with almost no side effects reported. Aspen Laser is FDA-registered and passes all safety compliance requirements. The treatments are not painful; in fact, laser is warm and comfortable to your skin. Dr. Chiungos will check in with you regularly to make sure the temperature feels right, and you can always speak up if it starts to feel too warm. The main safety concern is for the eyes, which is why Dr. Chiungos will provide protective glasses for both patient and doctor at each session.
Laser is effective on most parts of the body; however, there are times when laser is not appropriate:
- during pregnancy
- within twelve months of cancer treatments
- during the use of photo-sensitizing medications
- over recent steroid injections (seven days)
- over growth plates or reproductive glands
- over tattoos or skin infections
Laser therapy promotes energy production supporting cellular repair, increased blood flow, increased red blood cell oxygen-carrying capacity, and decrease of inflammation. When used in conjunction with traditional chiropractic, laser can reduce pain and healing time, and promote a deeper, more complete healing to the area of concern.
Sessions typically last 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. They generally start longer and reduce in length as you heal. Most acute conditions require only 10 – 12 treatment sessions. If you have a chronic condition, you may need 12 – 20 treatments and one or two follow-up sessions every month. The amount and frequency of treatments are determined through assessment of your condition combined with Dr. Chiungos’s experience treating patients with laser. You will likely start to feel better after your first 5 sessions.
