Putting Mitochondrial Health at the Center of Clinical Care

Chiropractors have long embraced a holistic view of health, recognizing that spinal dysfunction is only part of the broader picture. Patients frequently present with fatigue, mood disturbances, systemic inflammation, and degenerative conditions that extend far beyond the spine. Increasingly, these seemingly diverse problems share a common root: mitochondrial dysfunction.¹

Mitochondria, the cell’s “powerhouses,” generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), regulate oxidative stress, and coordinate vital cellular functions. When mitochondrial health declines, patients may experience widespread effects, from impaired muscle recovery to cognitive decline. The mitochondrial theory of aging² even suggests progressive mitochondrial deterioration is a central mechanism in chronic disease and systemic frailty.

Clinical Connection: PBM and Mitochondria

Photobiomodulation (PBM), the therapeutic use of red and near-infrared light, directly targets mitochondria to restore energy metabolism.³ Chiropractors are already familiar with targeted PBM applications for pain and injury. Whole-body PBM (WB-PBM) extends this approach, offering a non-invasive means of influencing not just localized tissues, but also systemic physiology.⁴

During a WB-PBM session, the patient lays in a bed lined with thousands of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of blue, red and infrared wavelengths. The devices have been compared to tanning beds, but they emit only non-ionizing light. The patient is disrobed to their comfort level, and the LED light shines directly on their skin for a period of 10-15 minutes.

At the cellular level, photons penetrate tissues and are absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This process displaces inhibitory nitric oxide, restoring efficient electron transport and increasing ATP synthesis. The result is improved energy availability for processes as diverse as muscle contraction, neuronal communication and tissue repair.^5-7

PBM can also regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which serve dual roles in human physiology.⁸ At controlled levels, they are essential signaling molecules that trigger adaptive responses. In excess, however, ROS damage proteins, lipids and DNA, accelerating degenerative disease. PBM helps normalize ROS levels, reducing harmful oxidative stress while preserving beneficial signaling pathways.

Mitochondria play a crucial role in buffering intracellular calcium, which is essential for muscle contraction, neurotransmission, and bone metabolism. PBM enhances mitochondrial ability to regulate calcium, supporting musculoskeletal integrity and nervous system function. Additionally, mitochondria regulate apoptosis, the programmed death of damaged cells. By influencing apoptotic pathways, PBM promotes tissue health and cellular longevity.^9-11

Systemic Influence

One of the most compelling findings in PBM research is its systemic influence.¹² Light delivered to one area of the body can yield benefits in distant, non-illuminated tissues through circulating cytokines, metabolites, and neurochemical signaling. This “abscopal effect”¹⁰ underscores the potential of WB-PBM to act as a truly systemic therapy rather than a localized intervention.

From an evolutionary standpoint, human physiology was shaped by daily exposure to the full spectrum of sunlight, including red and near-infrared wavelengths. These longer wavelengths penetrate deeply into tissues, supporting mitochondrial function across multiple organ systems.

Modern environments, however, deprive us of these beneficial wavelengths. Factors contributing to this “light deficiency” include the following: indoor lifestyles with limited outdoor exposure; widespread use of blue-rich artificial lighting (LEDs); sunscreens and window coatings that filter infrared light; and cultural and occupational habits that limit natural light exposure.

Instead of a balanced spectrum, humans are now bombarded with artificial blue light,^13-14 which can disrupt circadian rhythms, increase cardiovascular stress and further compromise mitochondrial health. WB-PBM offers a way to reintroduce these missing wavelengths, restoring an essential element of our evolutionary environment.

Expanding Our Scope of Care - While Staying True to Our Philosophy

For chiropractors, WB-PBM represents a unique opportunity to expand the scope of care beyond musculoskeletal correction. By directly targeting mitochondrial health, chiropractors can address systemic dysfunctions that often accompany spinal or joint complaints. This integrative approach aligns with chiropractic philosophy, which emphasizes whole-body wellness and the body’s innate capacity for self-healing.

Potential benefits of WB-PBM in chiropractic practice include improved outcomes with spinal adjustments, effective pain management, neurological support, athletic recovery,¹⁵ and general wellness and prevention.

Potential Implementation Models

Chiropractors can implement WB-PBM via several models:

• Treatment Packages: Targeted programs for specific conditions such as neuropathy, chronic pain or injury recovery
• Membership Plans: Wellness programs whereby patients receive regular sessions to maintain mitochondrial function and overall vitality
• Adjunctive Care: Short WB-PBM sessions scheduled before or after adjustments, maximizing the body’s capacity to integrate structural corrections

Sessions are typically 10-15 minutes in duration. Chronic pain patients often benefit from two to three sessions per week, while wellness patients may require only one weekly session. Importantly, WB-PBM has been consistently reported as safe, well-tolerated and free of significant adverse effects.

Discussion / Take-Home Points

While the evidence base for WB-PBM is growing, it remains in its early stages. Larger randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm systemic benefits, refine treatment protocols and establish standardized guidelines for dosing. Research should also explore long-term effects on chronic disease management, aging and preventive health.

Nonetheless, early clinical experiences combined with mechanistic plausibility strongly support the integration of WB-PBM into chiropractic practice.

Whole-body photobiomodulation is more than a technological innovation – it is a paradigm shift in healthcare. By restoring mitochondrial vitality, chiropractors can address not only musculoskeletal dysfunction, but also the systemic conditions that often underlie chronic patient complaints.

For doctors of chiropractic, WB-PBM offers a scientifically grounded, nonpharmacological therapy; an adjunctive modality that complements adjustments; a preventive and wellness-oriented approach consistent with chiropractic philosophy; and a practice-building tool that meets growing patient demand for integrative solutions.

As modern lifestyles increasingly distance humans from the natural healing spectrum of light, WB-PBM restores an essential element of our evolutionary environment. By embracing this modality, chiropractors can place mitochondrial health – the foundation of systemic vitality – at the center of clinical care ... transforming not just spinal health, but also the overall well-being of their patients.

References

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