Is BioFlex Laser Therapy Safe? What the Research Says

Safety is the first question any reasonable patient asks about a new treatment. When it comes to BioFlex Laser Therapy, the safety record is excellent — and the research behind it spans more than five decades of clinical investigation. Here is what the evidence shows.

Health Canada Approval

BioFlex Laser Therapy systems are approved by Health Canada for therapeutic use. This approval requires manufacturers to demonstrate both safety and efficacy through rigorous evaluation processes. For patients in Canada, Health Canada approval is one of the most reliable indicators that a therapeutic technology meets established safety standards.

The Technology: Why It’s Inherently Safe

BioFlex uses low-level laser (photobiomodulation) technology — fundamentally different from high-power surgical lasers that generate heat sufficient to cut or destroy tissue. The power levels used in BioFlex therapy are precisely calibrated to be within the “photobiomodulation window” — strong enough to penetrate tissue and stimulate cellular responses, but far below the threshold at which tissue damage could occur.

The treatment does not involve ionising radiation (like X-rays), does not generate harmful heat, produces no electrical stimulation to the patient, and has no known toxic or cumulative harmful effects.

What the Research Shows

The safety of photobiomodulation therapy has been evaluated in thousands of clinical studies involving millions of patient treatments over more than fifty years. These studies consistently report an excellent safety profile with no serious adverse events attributable to the therapy itself.

The most commonly reported minor effect is a temporary mild increase in existing pain symptoms during the first few sessions — a phenomenon known as “treatment reaction” that typically resolves quickly and is often followed by significant improvement. This is not harmful; it reflects the body’s inflammatory response to the acceleration of healing processes.

Who Should Exercise Caution

While BioFlex Laser Therapy is safe for the vast majority of patients, there are a small number of situations where caution is warranted or treatment should be avoided. These include direct application over active cancer sites, treatment directly through the eyes (requiring the protective eyewear provided in clinic), and application over a developing fetus during pregnancy. Dr. Beth conducts a thorough health history review before beginning laser therapy and will identify any situations requiring modified protocols.

Safe for Long-Term Use

Unlike many pharmaceutical treatments, BioFlex Laser Therapy carries no risk of dependency, no accumulation of toxic effects, and no long-term safety concerns with ongoing use. Many of our patients in Collingwood incorporate periodic laser therapy sessions into their long-term wellness routine — benefiting from its anti-inflammatory and tissue-supportive effects on an ongoing basis.