care & love
Myofascial trigger points are hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscle that produce both local and referred pain. They are a defining feature of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a common musculoskeletal condition encountered in rehabilitation departments, neurology clinics, and pain management centers. B-CURE Laser therapy, grounded in photobiomodulation (PBMT), has gained recognition as an effective, non-invasive approach for deactivating trigger points and relieving associated discomfort.
To understand why laser therapy works, it helps to first understand what happens inside a trigger point. Researchers describe the process using the "integrated trigger point hypothesis." At the neuromuscular junction, excessive acetylcholine release leads to sustained depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane. Muscle fibers remain in a state of continuous contraction, forming what is known as a "contraction knot."
This sustained contraction produces a cascade of problems. Compressed capillaries restrict blood flow to the area, creating local ischemia. Without adequate oxygen, the affected muscle tissue cannot produce sufficient adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — the energy currency of cells. Calcium pumps that normally allow muscle relaxation fail to function, and the muscle remains locked in contraction. Pain mediators and metabolic waste accumulate, sensitizing nociceptors and perpetuating the pain cycle.
This is where B-CURE Laser treatment offers a fundamentally different approach from medications. Rather than blocking pain signals, it intervenes at the cellular level to restore normal metabolic function.
Photobiomodulation therapy delivers specific wavelengths of light that penetrate through skin and soft tissue to reach muscle fibers. When photons are absorbed by mitochondrial chromophores — particularly cytochrome c oxidase — the electron transport chain is stimulated, leading to a measurable increase in ATP production. This energy boost powers the cellular machinery needed to pump calcium back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, allowing the contracted sarcomeres to finally release.
At the same time, laser irradiation promotes vasodilation of local microvasculature. Improved blood flow flushes out accumulated inflammatory mediators and brings fresh oxygen to the ischemic tissue. Clinical studies have documented that this dual effect — metabolic restoration plus circulatory improvement — breaks the self-perpetuating pain-spasm-pain cycle that keeps trigger points active.
A thorough physical examination is the starting point. The clinician palpates the muscle belly using approximately 1 kg of pressure applied for 2 seconds with two fingers. The diagnostic criteria for an active trigger point include: a palpable taut band within the muscle, a distinctly tender nodule at a point along that band, and reproduction of the patient's familiar pain pattern upon compression. Pain intensity is typically documented using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and any associated range of motion restrictions are noted for later comparison.
The skin over the treatment site should be clean and free of lotions or oils. The laser device output should be verified with a calibrated power meter before each session to ensure consistent energy delivery. Both the patient and operator wear protective eyewear matched to the laser's wavelength.
The standard approach is spot treatment — the laser applicator is positioned directly over each identified trigger point. For a contact technique, the handpiece is held against the skin with gentle pressure, which provides mechanical compression of the trigger point while the light energy penetrates into the tissue. For a non-contact technique, the applicator is held at a distance of less than 1 mm from the skin surface. The beam is kept stationary over the point for the prescribed duration, typically between 20 and 300 seconds depending on the device's output power and the depth of the trigger point.
The World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT) provides evidence-based dosage guidelines for trigger point treatment. The recommended dose is 5 to 15 joules per square centimeter (J/cm²), delivered as a spot treatment. For acute pain and new injuries, higher doses within this range can be applied daily for the first three sessions. For subacute and chronic trigger points, a dose of 4 to 5 J/cm² with treatment sessions spaced 2 to 3 days apart is standard.
When using a B-CURE Laser device, the built-in treatment timer and consistent output help ensure that each trigger point receives the intended therapeutic dose without under- or over-treatment. The device's portable design also makes it practical for use across multiple anatomical sites within a single session.
A typical treatment course consists of 8 to 10 sessions delivered over 3 to 4 weeks, with sessions scheduled every 2 to 3 days. For acute injuries, daily treatment may be appropriate for the first 2 to 3 days, after which the interval is extended. The total number of sessions should be adjusted based on individual patient response. Some patients report noticeable pain reduction after the first few sessions, while chronic or deeply embedded trigger points may require the full course or an extended treatment period.
After each session, the clinician re-palpates the treated trigger points and records the patient's updated VAS score. Improvements in both pain levels and range of motion can often be observed even after a single treatment. However, the cumulative effect of multiple sessions is what produces lasting deactivation of trigger points. Keeping a treatment log — noting which points were treated, the dosage applied, and the patient's response — helps guide adjustments to the protocol over the course of therapy.
Multiple controlled trials support the efficacy of laser therapy for myofascial trigger points. A randomized controlled trial published in 2025 compared PBMT using 635 nm and 980 nm diode lasers for myofascial pain and found significant pain reduction with both wavelengths. Another study demonstrated that a Ga-Al-As laser at 810 nm produced immediate pain relief and improved cervical range of motion after application to trigger points in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome.
The WALT dosage recommendations — which form the backbone of the clinical protocol described above — are themselves derived from systematic reviews of published clinical trials and are periodically updated as new evidence emerges.
Laser therapy for trigger points is well tolerated, with adverse effects being rare when proper protocols are followed. Protective eyewear appropriate for the laser wavelength must be worn by both the patient and operator. Treatment should be avoided directly over the eyes, over the thyroid gland, over areas of suspected malignancy, and during pregnancy. The skin at the treatment site should be monitored during and after the session, though any transient erythema typically resolves quickly.
For clinicians incorporating laser therapy into their trigger point treatment protocols, a few practical points are worth noting. First, accurate identification of the trigger point is essential — the laser can only treat what it is aimed at. Second, consistency in dosage and treatment intervals is more important than aggressive single-session dosing. Third, laser therapy works well as part of a multimodal approach, combined with manual therapy, stretching, and postural re-education where appropriate.
The B-CURE Laser fits well into clinical workflows because of its straightforward operation and consistent output. For practitioners who want to add a non-pharmacological pain management option to their toolkit, or for patients managing chronic trigger point pain at home under professional guidance, it provides a practical solution grounded in the established clinical protocol.