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How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Red light therapy, also referred to as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), is a safe, non-invasive treatment. So, how does red light therapy work and how does it apply to your practice?

Medical professionals have found it beneficial in helping treat various conditions including chronic neck and shoulder pain, chronic lower back pain, and over three-hundred nociceptive pain issues.

Its non-invasive nature and effectiveness have made red light therapy devices popular among patients who do not want to resort to painkillers. With the opioid crisis spiraling, this type of technology should be considered by medical practitioners. Especially, those who are looking for alternatives to prescription drugs for their patients.

The technique works by exposing skin cells to concentrated wavelengths of low-level red light targeted to help increase cell reproduction. Here’s a deeper dive into how red light technology works.

The Body’s Powerhouse

Red light therapy works by affecting the body’s mitochondria – also referred to as the body’s powerhouse. Mitochondria is responsible for fueling the body and more specifically each cell. They are similarly described as the body’s power plant because they produce adenosine triphosphate which a cell can use as energy.

Scientists have discovered an undeniable relationship between the mitochondria’s optimum performance and the body’s overall wellness. The sub-optimal performance of mitochondria leads to undesirable physical effects such as aches and pains, unhealthy skin, and immune deficiencies.

Light is capable of providing the body with various nutrients that contribute to overall wellness. An excellent example of this is how the skin synthesizes vitamin D from sunlight while blue light affects the circadian rhythm and, consequently, your sleep pattern.

Both UV light and blue light are part of a group of lights known as bioactive lights. Near-infrared light and red light initiate a biochemical reaction that supports the mitochondria’s ability to absorb oxygen.

Increased oxygen absorption has the potential to improve cell regeneration and healing. Red light puts temporary stress on the skin cells giving the potential of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses. Healthier skin cells are nurtured by these responses. Applying temporary stress is like exercising. It’s putting temporary stress on your body subsequently improving overall health.

The best part is that red light laser therapy has proven to show virtually no side effects. It doesn’t need any heat or freezing temperatures and doesn’t require any downtime. Importantly, it causes no unnecessary pain.

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Why You Should Use Low-Level Lasers for Chronic Pain at Your Practice

Low-level light laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that has been used in the medical field for decades to aid in the rebuilding of the body at a cellular level. It has rapidly grown in popularity as a form of treatment for a wide variety of common ailments.

It’s a drug-free, non-invasive form of inflammation treatment that has been researched and studied, with many clinical trials to back its effectiveness. Studies show success in patients with chronic lower back pain as well as those with chronic neck pain, and those recovering from injury or surgery.

In this guide we will walk you through everything you need to know about setting up a low-level laser therapy program with success in your medical office.

The Benefits of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Your Practice

It is a low-risk, cost-effective treatment that can help relieve pain and shorten recovery time for various needs. In addition to the pain relief mentioned above, this technology can support recovery from conditions like plantar fasciitis and onychomycosis. The low-light laser technology can be integrated into various healthcare fields including physiotherapy and podiatry.

Drug free and non invasive laser therapy treatment being used on woman for chronic neck pain

It’s not hard to see why this is such an attractive option for many physicians. Here’s a few benefits that low-light laser therapy brings to your medical establishment:

  1. The non-pharmaceutical treatment can attract more patients to your office who do not want drugs as their primary solution.
  2. There are rental options and financing opportunities that can ease the burden of outright purchasing this laser technology equipment. In some cases, this allows more liquidity and increased cash on-hand.
  3. Using low-level laser therapy at your practice helps you serve the growing number of people in the United States with back pain. According to the CDC, 39% of Americans experienced back pain in 2019. Equipping your practice with a variety of treatment options for chronic back pain, including low-level laser therapy can help you treat a larger demand and increase patient flow.
  4. It can help you treat different medical conditions, including fat loss in obese patients (up to 40 BMI), toenail fungus, plantar fasciitis, and lower back pain. It allows you to provide effective treatment for your patients. For example, your clients won’t need to worry about side effects and long downtimes as with some traditional surgeries or procedures. The cold laser therapy device uses lower frequencies and wavelengths, ensuring tissue protection.
  5. Low-light laser therapy promotes a shorter recovery period for your patients. It is non-invasive, and your customers can overcome health concerns like chronic pain without excessive, added pain. Today, many people understand the importance of non-invasive treatment. It could explain why many shy away from traditional surgeries.

Tips to Achieve the Benefits of Low-Light Laser Therapy

Now that we’ve delved into some of the benefits, here’s some tips on how to make them happen at your practice. Here’s where to start:

Review Your Patient Demographics

One of the best ways to satisfy your patients is by understanding their demographics. Diving into where they are from and what geographical issues impact their lives will allow you to get a better understanding of what they want to achieve with the treatment.

You’ll likely deal with older adults, personal injury patients, and athletes. Understanding everyone’s unique needs ensures you deliver customized services.

Don’t Ignore Marketing Your Service

Regardless of the service you provide, marketing is essential. This is especially true for professionals offering low-light laser therapy. For example, your patients will want to know how this treatment can help them recover.

How do you reach out to potential clients? How will you help them to understand that low-light laser therapy is effective? This is where marketing your service comes into play.

Incorporate a broad range of marketing strategies, including social media posts and direct mailing. Here are tips to get you started:

  • Press releases
  • Radio & print ads
  • Videos to explain your service
  • Office brochures and posters

These marketing strategies will help you explain the low-light laser therapy to potential patients to evaluate whether they need it. For example, you can describe the protocols, process, and what they can achieve with the treatment. Keep everything simple to leverage the power of marketing.

Educate Your Staff About Low-Light Laser Therapy

If you’re looking to integrate new technology into your medical practice, education can give you the confidence you need. You can leverage the available online materials, including research, tips, videos, and webinars to equip your employees with knowledge and skills.

You also need to know what to expect when dealing with different patients. How will you handle temperamental patients? When marketing your service, don’t over promise your potential patients. Explain what they need to expect after treatment and deliver high-quality services as promised.

Low-light laser therapy might be foreign to many individuals, but it has proven to be effective. Practitioners can leverage this to succeed in their service delivery.

Get the Best Out of Your Laser Therapy Equipment

The first step to getting your low-light laser therapy program up and running is to research the right equipment for your practice. Here are some essentials to look for when shopping for low-level laser therapy machines.

The Intensity of the Laser Beam

The intensity of the laser beam is an essential consideration when deciding which device is suitable for your practice. Low-intensity beams are used more often than high-intensity beams because they have a softer range of frequencies and can be tolerated by more people.

For example, suppose an individual has sensitive skin. In that case, they may not tolerate higher levels of intensity from a low-level laser beam. Still, they could tolerate it from a more moderate or low-intensity beam depending on their specific skin sensitivity level and duration exposure time needed per day.

The Type of Laser Therapy Device

When considering a laser therapy device for your practice, you’ll need to decide what type of light is best for your patients. The type of treatment you choose depends on the condition being treated and the experience level of the clinician.

A few different types of treatments include low-level lasers, high-power lasers, and infrared light. If you’re starting with a low-light laser therapy program in your practice, it’s best to start with a low-level laser or infrared light device.

The Wavelength

Wavelengths are also important when selecting a device. They determine which type of tissue will be stimulated by the treatment process and how deep into those tissues it will reach to reduce inflammation and pain.

Low-light laser therapy is a cost-effective way to offer your patients safe and effective treatment. With the proper guidance and enough research, you can have a successful low-laser light therapy program.

Learn about Erchonia’s new FDA market cleared FX 635. the only laser on the market proven through clinical trials to treat chronic low back pain.

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True Lasers vs. LEDs

There are numerous lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) available that work for various medical applications. While LEDs may be effective in some instances, many fall short of the true potential power that real laser therapy offers. When compared to true lasers, LEDs can only deliver a smaller portion of energy into the body tissue. Alternatively, low-level laser therapy can provide more robust energy delivery and can apply to numerous medical situations.

What Is Laser Light?

The term laser stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A laser is a mechanism designed to emit electromagnetic radiation through the process of stimulated emission. It concentrates its power into packets of energy called photons that penetrate the body’s tissues, allowing physicians to effectively target a treatment area, such as treating chronic back pain.

Some of the main characteristics of laser light include:

  • Monochromatic: Laser light consists of a narrow range of wavelengths, making lasers ideal for absorption into the tissue. 
  • Coherent: Coherence is one of the most important aspects of laser light, responsible for the total distance traveled and the penetration capabilities of the light. Light coherence is what makes the light energy able to have a beneficial effect on a deeper level.

What Are LEDs?

A light-emitting diode, more commonly referred to as an LED, is a light emitting diode. An LED has characteristics between a laser and a light bulb. When an LED activates, the electrons can reconnect with electron holes located in the device. This reconnection causes an energy release in the form of photons. The color of the emitted light directly defines the light’s properties and corresponding energy emission.

Earlier forms of LEDs would emit red light of low intensity. With modern innovations, LEDs are available in a more extensive selection of wavelengths, including infrared, which is often required for deep tissue penetration. LEDs are a non-coherent and divergent light source, meaning the light radiates in all directions. While LEDs can switch quickly, they can’t super-pulse.

Comparing Laser Light and LEDs

One of the most important differences between the light emitted by an LED and that of a laser is the LED light is non-coherent and divergent. Because LED light is divergent, it wastes more energy and requires more specialized optics to focus the available energy into the desired areas. Alternatively, lasers waste less energy and can precisely target a treatment area more effectively.

  • Low divergence: Lasers are ideal for targeting specific areas of the body as they have a low divergence.
  • Coherence: Laser light is coherent, while LED light isn’t.
  • Efficiency: Laser light is significantly more effective and efficient at delivering energy to the body’s tissues.

Laser light can transmit energy with fewer errors than LEDs

Are Lasers More Effective Than LEDs?

Therapeutic depth is the process of delivering an adequate amount of light energy to the treatment area to improve symptoms. Lasers are significantly more efficient at reaching a therapeutic depth and properly delivering energy. Because a significant amount of light energy is lost as it passes through the body’s tissues, the laser must have a higher initial power at the surface, improving the laser’s ability to provide adequate amounts of energy at various depths.

Applications for Low-Level Laser Therapy

Low-level laser therapy is a versatile treatment that can improve various medical conditions. Cold laser therapy, also known as a cold laser treatment, is a fast and painless process that can relieve multiple symptoms. Another benefit of cold laser therapy is that it’s non-pharmacological, meaning laser therapy can help manage painful symptoms and be a helpful alternative to opioid medications.

Physicians regularly use laser treatments because it’s safe and effective. Additionally, laser treatments can help patients avoid extensive surgery, often accompanied by a lengthy recovery period and painful side effects. While traditional surgery may be necessary in some cases, it’s often recommended to avoid extensive surgery if a non-invasive treatment option exists. 

Common low-level laser treatments include:

Benefits of Low-Level Laser Therapy

Low-level laser treatments are a practical option for those looking to contour the body or treat chronic pain or foot fungus. A typical low-level laser treatment is performed in approximately 30 to 40 minutes but will vary from patient to patient. Most patients receive three laser treatments a week for two weeks, totaling six treatments in all. However, the total number of procedures will depend on what you’re having treated.

Because laser treatments are non-surgical, patients experience no pain or discomfort during treatment and can immediately return to their daily activities. Additionally, non-surgical fat loss treatments don’t require incisions, shortening downtime and preventing any potential scarring. Unlike traditional procedures, laser treatments don’t need any form of anesthesia, making the recovery period significantly shorter. 

In general, non-invasive therapies can provide effective treatments while prioritizing patient safety.

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Erchonia Is the World Leader in Low-Level Laser Technology

Erchonia is committed to the advancement of low-level laser therapy through clinical and scientific research. We’re committed to quality — not compromise — and pride ourselves on the rigorous process we follow to provide a viable treatment modality. We’re the world leader in low-level laser technology and are proud to offer effective, safe solutions designed for health clinics, physical therapists, chiropractors and veterinarians worldwide.

Our products include lasers for fat loss, lasers for pain and lasers for foot fungus. We strive to provide our clients with the highest level of products and customer service possible. Our clinical research shows the safety, efficacy and efficiency of low-level laser treatments.

Learn more about low-level laser treatments and find a provider near you or contact us today.

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Laser Therapy for Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain is a common condition that affects many people each year, causing discomfort and even a limited range of motion. Traditionally, chronic back pain is often treated with invasive procedures or even spinal surgery. With continuing advancements in technology, laser therapy has become an effective and non-invasive chronic back pain treatment alternative.

Utilizing state-of-the-art laser technology, low-level laser treatments for chronic back pain can improve uncomfortable symptoms and restore a proper range of motion. One of the best benefits of laser therapy for chronic back pain is that it’s non-invasive, meaning patients often have a significantly shorter recovery time than patients who undergo traditional treatments or surgery.

What Is Chronic Back Pain?

Back pain is a common medical condition numerous individuals may face at some point in their lives. Many cases of back pain are acute, which means they may develop suddenly due to an injury or accident, but the pain typically doesn’t last longer than six months. On the other hand, chronic back pain is when the pain may occur in episodes or persists for an extended amount of time.

Chronic back pain may come, go or even remain persistently without relief. In severe cases of chronic back pain, patients may experience difficulty performing daily activities and even walking or sitting. There are many potential causes of chronic back pain, including:

  • Herniated or ruptured discs: The spinal discs are the pads between the spine’s vertebrae that help prevent the spinal bones from grinding against one another. A slipped, herniated or ruptured disc can cause severe chronic back pain.
  • Arthritis: Spinal arthritis can cause inflammation along the facet joints in the spine and the sacroiliac joints situated between the spine and pelvis. Spinal arthritis can be painful and cause chronic symptoms.
  • Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis of the spine occurs from long-term wear and tear on the cartilage of the joints and discs of the spine. In some cases, spinal osteoarthritis can cause spurs to develop, putting pressure on the nerves leaving the spinal column.
  • Muscle or ligament strain: Repeated or sudden movements can strain the muscles and ligaments of the back, damaging the surrounding structures. A muscle or ligament strain can cause severe ongoing pain and discomfort until it’s treated appropriately.

Sections of the Spinal Column

There are four areas of your spinal column, each with a different name and region. Understanding what portion of the spine you’re experiencing chronic pain in is the first step towards receiving adequate treatment. The four sections of the spine include:

  • Cervical spine: The cervical spine refers to the uppermost portion of the spine along the neck region consisting of seven vertebrae, separated by intervertebral discs.
  • Thoracic spine: The thoracic spine is in the middle and upper back and contains 12 vertebrae.
  • Lumbar spine: The lumbar spine is composed of five vertebrae located in the lower portion of the spinal column.
  • Sacrum: The sacrum is positioned at the base of the lumbar spine and connects to the pelvis. The sacrum helps to stabilize the pelvis and forms the posterior pelvic wall.

laser treatment for back pain

Laser Therapy for Chronic Back Pain

Low-level laser therapy, commonly known as cold laser therapy, is an effective and non-invasive treatment to reduce chronic back pain. The innovative laser technology used during a low-level laser treatment can reduce back pain through a process known as bio-stimulation. This alternative chronic back pain treatment carries no risk.

Approximately 65 million Americans have reported a recent episode of back pain. With back pain being a widespread issue, innovative non-invasive treatments are often necessary to alleviate discomfort and improve quality of life. Cold laser treatments utilize precise laser technology that allows physicians to target the source of back pain to promote healing and improve symptoms. As a result, patients can reduce their back pain without many of the downsides that come with traditional surgeries and other treatment methods.

Effectiveness of Lasers for Chronic Back Pain

Laser treatments for chronic back pain can alleviate pain, discomfort and limited mobility associated with low back pain. While one of the most obvious and beneficial aspects of laser treatments is that they can provide pain relief, laser treatments also offer other health benefits.

  • Precise and quick: Low-level laser therapy can target the source of back pain with the utmost precision. As a precise treatment option, cold laser therapy is an effective procedure that a physician can perform quickly and efficiently.
  • Non-pharmacological: Traditional non-invasive back pain treatments often use pain medicine, such as opioids, which can be dangerous and lead to dependency. Low-level laser treatments can offer relief from chronic back pain without introducing pain medication.
  • Safe and effective: Cold laser treatments are a safe, non-invasive treatment for back pain with little to no potential side effects or complications. An effective chronic back pain treatment, low-level laser therapy doesn’t use surgical incisions to relieve back pain.
  • No downtime: Because cold laser therapy is a non-surgical and non-invasive treatment option, patients can quickly return to their daily activities and often experience little to no downtime.
  • Customizable: Another unique aspect of laser treatments is that they’re fully customizable, so a doctor can alter the treatment to fit their patients’ specific needs for the procedure.
  • Endorphin release: The technology used during a low-level laser treatment can trigger the release of endorphins. A release of endorphins can help minimize pain and discomfort throughout the back and body.
  • Inflammation and swelling: A laser treatment can help reduce inflammation, swelling and edemas. Inflammation within the back often places pressure on tender muscles, tissues and nerves, which can cause or worsen chronic back pain.
  • Muscle and nerves: Cold laser therapy can help damaged muscle tissue and nerves. By increasing the production of growth factors, low-level laser therapy can stimulate the nerves and muscles to heal, improving painful symptoms related to a muscle or nerve injury.
  • Blood flow: Proper circulation is an essential aspect that helps your body heal. Low-level laser treatments can stimulate local circulation to restore proper blood flow and healing processes.


Low-Level Laser Treatments for Chronic Back Pain

At Erchonia®, we believe in the seemingly limitless potential use and applications of low-level laser technology. Our team is committed to advancing cold laser treatments through the scientific and clinical research that has transformed our company into a world leader in the field of low-level laser technology. We’re proud to offer the most innovative, state-of-the-art lasers with a continued commitment to quality, integrity and diligence.

Related Reading: How Does Laser Therapy Work for Pain?

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Laser Therapy for Acute Back Pain

Laser therapy for acute back pain is an effective treatment modality that does not require extensive downtime or a prolonged recovery period. Acute back pain is a common problem that often develops after an accident or injury. Low-level laser therapy is an effective and non-invasive treatment to help alleviate various painful symptoms related to a lower back injury.

While traditional laser therapy uses hot lasers that can warm the tissues and muscles, low-level laser therapy uses a laser that does not heat the tissues. Because low-level laser therapy does not heat the skin or tissues, it minimizes the risk of potential side effects.

What Is Acute Back Pain?

Back pain is a common condition, and it can take two forms — chronic back pain and acute back pain. Chronic back pain is an ongoing issue where back pain may come and go throughout life or persist for extended periods of time. Acute back pain often develops suddenly and is usually triggered by something specific, such as an injury or accident.

In most cases, acute pain does not last longer than six months and typically resolves when the underlying cause of pain is treated. Acute back pain may develop due to a fracture, damaged spinal disc, spinal stenosis, sprains, tears or other injuries related to the spine and lower back. While sudden pain may be the most obvious sign of acute back pain, there can be several symptoms, including:

  • Aches: Some instances of acute lower back pain may also cause a dull aching sensation in the lower back. This general soreness may occur alongside pain or discomfort.
  • Stinging: A stinging, burning or even sharp stabbing sensation can occur due to several causes of lower back pain. Sudden shooting pain is often a sign of a back injury or acute back pain.
  • Inability to stand or sit for extended periods: Some patients with acute back pain experience a smaller range of motion, causing them to be unable to stand or sit comfortably for extended periods of time. Acute back pain can make walking or sitting uncomfortable and difficult.
  • Muscle spasms: Muscle spasms, tightness and contractions can develop in the lower back and hips, often worsening pain from a sore or sensitive back. In addition to causing pain, muscle spasms can be generally uncomfortable and make sitting or lying down difficult.
  • Limited mobility: Depending on the severity of lower back pain, some patients may experience a decreased range of motion and limited mobility. Acute back pain can sometimes make sitting upright or even walking painful or impossible.
  • Radiating pain: In some cases, acute back pain may travel throughout the lower body. Patients may experience a radiating pain or discomfort that originates in the lower back but travels through the pelvis, hips, thighs and even lower legs.

Laser Therapy for Acute Back Pain

Low-level laser therapy, commonly known as cold laser therapy, is an innovative back pain treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the body’s tissues and stimulate the healing process. Cold laser therapy is exceptionally useful for treating instances of acute back pain. Patients can experience relief of acute back pain with this treatment modality because it can help reduce inflammation, swelling and edema.

cold laser therapy is useful for treating instances of acute back pain

In addition to its ability to reduce swelling, laser therapy can reduce muscle contractions or spasms that limit mobility while helping to restore a proper range of motion and functionality. Experts estimate that approximately 80% of Americans will experience back pain in their lifetimes. Because back pain is such a prevalent medical complication, it is important that effective treatments are available to improve symptoms.

Effectiveness of Lasers for Acute Back Pain

Low-level laser therapy uses laser technology of varying wavelengths to penetrate the skin and relieve acute back pain. Physicians can target injured or damaged areas of the back with the utmost precision during a cold laser treatment. The wavelength used or length of the laser treatment will vary on an individual basis and depend on the injured area’s severity and size.

In addition to alleviating discomfort and painful symptoms, low-level laser therapy can help provide numerous other benefits. A laser-based back treatment can help relieve pain without the need for surgery or intensive treatments. Some of the most common benefits of laser therapy for acute back pain include:

  • Reduced inflammation: Inflammation can cause additional pressure to build around sensitive nerves or muscles, worsening painful or uncomfortable symptoms. Laser therapy can effectively reduce inflammation or swelling that may contribute to or worsen back pain.
  • Non-invasive: One of the most important aspects of laser therapy for back pain is that it is a non-invasive treatment modality that can improve symptoms related to acute back pain. Because laser therapy is non-invasive, patients can quickly return to daily activities and do not have to worry about an extensive recovery time that is often associated with surgery or more invasive treatments.
  • Expedited recovery: Laser therapy for acute back pain can expedite the recovery process and help regenerate damaged bone and tissue. Low-level laser treatments can also help stimulate the production of fibroblasts, which are cells that are essential to collagen production and play an important role in your body’s natural healing cycle.
  • Improved blood circulation: A laser treatment can help stimulate blood flow and restore proper circulation to painful areas of the back. Adequate circulation and blood flow are essential to your body being able to heal itself.
  • Accuracy: Laser treatments are highly accurate because they use innovative technology to precisely target the source of acute back pain. Prompt, effective laser treatments can minimize painful symptoms and help patients heal more quickly from back discomfort.
  • Stimulated nerve regeneration: Low-level laser therapy can relieve acute back pain by stimulating regeneration of damaged or unhealthy nerves. Laser therapy can help optimize nerve regeneration and recovery by facilitating your body’s natural production of growth factors.
  • Faster recovery time: Cold laser therapy uses revolutionary laser technology to expedite the recovery process and reduce the overall downtime associated with acute back pain. In addition to minimizing discomfort, the goal of laser therapy is to help patients return to their daily life comfortably and as quickly as possible.

Trust the World Leaders in Low-Level Laser Technology

Erchonia is a leader in the field of low-level laser technology with a commitment to integrity, quality and diligence. We prioritize quality in every aspect of our business, with a strong belief in the various potential applications of low-level laser technology. Our team of experts remains committed to furthering the advancement of laser technology through extensive scientific resources and clinical studies.

Browse our products or contact us online today to learn more about low-level laser technology and its many benefits.

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Benefits of Implementing Laser Therapy in Your Practice

If you’re looking for new ways to provide effective treatments for your patients, laser therapy has numerous benefits. Also known as cold laser therapy, low-level laser therapy is an innovative treatment modality that can effectively improve the symptoms of many medical conditions. By investing in revolutionary laser technology, your practice can stand apart from competitors and increase patient satisfaction.

5 Laser Therapy Benefits for Your Practice

These days, it’s often smart to be on the cutting edge of new medical treatments, as you always want to be able to meet your patients’ ever-changing needs. However, adding innovative health solutions takes time and effort, so you want to be sure you’re making the correct decision. Knowing the benefits of laser therapy for a practice will help you understand further why laser therapy can be a terrific choice.

1. Provide Effective Treatments

Innovative laser technology can treat lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, neck and shoulder pain, toenail fungus, fat loss and many other medical conditions. It offers your practice a way to provide highly effective treatments that can successfully improve symptoms without the long downtime or side effects that some traditional procedures or surgeries may carry. One of the main benefits of low-level laser therapy is that it uses lower wavelengths and frequencies, which protects the tissue.

2. Offer Non-Invasive Therapies

Many patients may seek out non-invasive treatments and therapies to improve chronic pain and other health concerns. These treatments can relieve painful symptoms without patients having to undergo extensive surgery or traditional therapies, prioritizing a shorter recovery period. As a result, many patients seek out non-invasive treatment modalities because they provide a noticeable relief of symptoms without the lengthy downtime associated with traditional surgery.

3. Generate Additional Revenue

Investing in low-laser technology can help your practice generate additional revenue and attract new patients. Upgrading equipment in your practice can also help save money. Some older or outdated equipment may not perform as well as newer or more efficient technology, which can deter patients who are looking for effective and accessible treatments.

By investing in high-quality, state-of-the-art equipment, you can increase efficiency and productivity in your practice. Providing patients with a smooth, seamless experience can help create lasting relationships with clients and encourage repeat business, which will potentially make you more money.

4. Integrate Innovative Technology

Modernizing your practice with innovative technology allows you to treat a wider range of conditions. Low-level lasers often allow you to provide comprehensive treatments with fewer pieces of equipment than some traditional treatments require. Consolidating the amount of equipment you need can help you maximize your practice’s productivity.

In addition to minimizing the equipment needed, cold laser therapy is a fully customizable treatment. Allowing you to adjust treatments for patients, many patients prefer these types of treatment because they can experience impressive results tailored to them. There are even ways for practitioners to combine multiple laser treatments into one procedure for the best results possible.

5. Prioritize Patient Safety

Both patient safety and satisfaction are of the utmost importance for any practice. Integrating laser technology can minimize potential treatment risks and negative side effects for patients, ensuring their safety during and after a laser treatment. Traditional cosmetic surgeries or procedures typically require incisions, stitches and anesthesia, raising the potential risk of an adverse reaction.

Additionally, standard pain relief treatments often include opioid pain relievers, which patients can potentially misuse. The short- and long-term use of pain relievers can cause many adverse side effects. To prioritize patient safety and health, medical professionals should consider non-surgical treatments whenever possible.

implementing laser therapy in your practice

Implementing Laser Healing Therapy in Your Practice

By adding laser treatments to your practice, you can diversify the range of conditions you treat and grow your patient base. When implementing laser technology into your practice, it’s important to keep a few considerations in mind:

  • Understanding patient needs: First and foremost, it’s essential you understand your patients’ demographics and unique needs. When considering laser equipment, you’ll want to make sure your patients may need and benefit from this treatment.
  • Educate staff on new equipment: As you prepare to incorporate low-level laser treatments into your practice, you’ll want to ensure all staff members are educated and informed about the new services you’ll be offering.
  • Market your services: Let existing patients and potential patients know you’re now offering unique laser treatments. In-office pamphlets, emails and other forms of marketing can help spread the word about your new equipment and services.

Erchonia Laser Types

Erchonia is a leading manufacturer and provider of low-level lasers, which are market cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of foot fungus, chronic back pain and other health concerns. The innovative technology of an Erchonia laser allows you to offer patients an effective treatment without the potential adverse side effects that often occur with traditional surgery.

Cold Lasers for Pain

Cold laser therapy utilizes different wavelengths and outputs of light to the targeted treatment area. As the body absorbs this light, a physiological reaction promotes the regeneration of unhealthy or damaged cells. Cold lasers are designed to precisely target muscles and tissues to stimulate the body’s natural healing cycle.

Many low-level laser therapies for pain use different wavelengths, providing various forms of healing and improving treatment versatility. This flexibility allows medical professionals to use a single device to effectively treat a broad range of causes that may lead to chronic back pain. Additionally, the versatility of low-level laser treatment can help medical providers customize a treatment for each patient, creating a unique regimen designed around their personal needs.

LASERSculpting™

LASERSculpting uses revolutionary laser technology to provide body contouringcellulite treatments and more. Non-invasive body contouring can treat stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to traditional diet and exercise. An important benefit of cold laser body contouring is that it can provide noticeable results without the risks of traditional cosmetic surgery.

Low-Level Lasers for Foot Fungus

Low-level laser therapy can be an effective treatment for onychomycosis, more commonly referred to as nail fungus. While this fungal infection typically occurs on the feet and toenails, it can also occur on the fingernails. Cold laser therapy is a safe and easy-to-use treatment modality that can target the cause of toenail fungus at its source.

The wavelengths and frequencies used during cold laser treatments are significantly lower than traditional methods and don’t warm the skin. Therefore, this low-level technology can ensure that only a fungal infection is targeted and treated while preserving the health and integrity of surrounding tissues and structures.

World Leaders in Low-Level Laser Technology

Erchonia remains committed to furthering the advancement of cold laser therapy through rigorous scientific and clinical studies to prove the efficacy and efficiency of low-level laser therapy. We care about clinicians and patients, so we strive to provide extensive research performed under strict clinical trial conditions. Incorporating cold laser technology into your practice can help you provide your patients with effective treatments without the pain or risk associated with traditional lasers.

Learn more about low-level laser treatments for your practice and fill out a contact form today or call 321-473-1251.

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Alternative Treatments for Chronic Shoulder Pain

Surgery and pain medication are common solutions to shoulder pain, but they come with some concerns. The use of opioids for pain management and invasive surgeries with lengthy recovery periods cause numerous people to seek alternative forms of treatment for their shoulder pain. Fortunately, you have many safe options available, including laser therapy for shoulder pain, to help you lead a pain-free life.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best alternative treatments so you can manage your shoulder pain without the use of drugs or surgery. 

What Is Chronic Shoulder Pain?

Chronic shoulder pain includes consistent, unpleasant sensations in one’s shoulder over an extended time, whether it be weeks, months or even years. Inflammation is a typical bodily response to exertion and aggravation, but it could seem impossible to overcome the pain from chronic shoulder inflammation. If you’re suffering from chronic shoulder pain, you should be careful to avoid overexertion, as this movement could lead to even higher levels of discomfort.

When suffering from chronic shoulder pain, you could feel pain from simple daily movements or more complex actions, including lifting, pulling or pushing. Something as simple as raising your hand over your head could result in excruciating pain. This discomfort is why people desire a real solution, but many are unaware that other answers to chronic shoulder pain exist besides painful surgeries and prescription painkillers.

5 Ways to treat shoulder pain without surgery or medication

5 Ways to Treat Shoulder Pain Without Surgery or Pain Medication

You can skip the scars left behind from surgery and the adverse side effects of opioids in treating your chronic shoulder pain by engaging in the right activities and alternative treatments. From exercise to laser therapy, you can explore many options to relieve pain. Be sure to consult your doctor before you make any decisions so you choose the safest treatment for your individual condition.

1. Exercise 

Exercising is part of a healthy mental and physical lifestyle, and exercising your shoulder can help treat your shoulder pain. Regular exercise of joints and muscles is crucial in improving strength and flexibility, helping decrease pain in your shoulder while increasing movement and reducing how quickly you experience fatigue.

Talk to your doctor about exercises that could help treat your chronic shoulder pain. Trying out the wrong exercises could damage your joints or increase the inflammation you’re experiencing. However, undergoing the right regimen can help return some strength to your shoulder and decrease your pain levels. Experiment with light exercise before you jump into intense workouts to protect your shoulder.

2. Hot and Cold Therapies

Many people apply hot or cold packs to the body to treat inflamed areas. This remedy can provide some relief from stiffness and pain, although the results can be temporary. As a result, those with chronic pain may want to seek out more permanent treatments to improve their quality of life for good.

Try using a cold pack on your shoulder to reduce inflammation and manage flare-ups when they occur. If you want to relax the muscles in your shoulder while increasing blood flow, you should apply heat to the area. A soak in warm or cold water can provide similar results. Both forms of temperature-assisted therapies can help you find some relief during the most difficult moments of shoulder pain. 

3. Injections

Ask your doctor about anesthetic or cortisone injections for the treatment of your chronic shoulder pain. Many people use injections to manage their pain while waiting for their surgery date, but you can use them to control your pain without having upcoming surgery, as well. It depends on your condition. 

Some may view injections as a “band-aid” instead of a holistic answer to chronic shoulder pain. However, the process could give you positive results for as long as the injection remains effective. When it wears off, you’ll have to schedule another appointment to keep the inflammation at bay. 

4. Physical and Occupational Therapy

Physical and occupational therapy programs can give you a personalized experience in treating your chronic shoulder pain. The goal of physical therapy is to achieve long-term results that can increase your quality of life. Treatments include the use of special exercises, equipment and massages to help you regain the pain-free use of your shoulder while resisting further decline. 

Physical therapy is a long process, but it could provide exceptional results depending on your situation. Talk to your doctor to see if this treatment is right for you. 

5. Laser Therapy

Can laser therapy work for shoulder pain? In recent years, it’s become a popular method for treating chronic shoulder pain. This method provides similar results to corticosteroid injections, leading to significant improvements in shoulder pain. However, laser therapy is more comfortable and bearable than shots or surgery, so many people with chronic pain are now looking into this option. For those with intense shoulder pain, laser therapy can provide lasting results in an innovative way.

How Does Laser Therapy Work for Shoulder Pain?

Laser therapy works for shoulder pain by stimulating the mitochondria of the cells in the affected area. The low-level laser equipment uses cold, gentle light instead of heat or radiation to penetrate the targeted area, encouraging your cells to repair themselves at a faster rate than they would without the laser treatment. The best part is that the treatment is non-invasive, meaning you can avoid scars, long recovery periods, anesthesia and prescription pain medication. 

As you proceed with your laser therapy treatments, you may start to experience a decrease in your inflammation. These results can help you regain the use of your shoulder with less pain and more maneuverability. All it takes is relaxing for several minutes as your doctor applies the laser equipment to the specific area. Talk to your doctor today to see if laser therapy is the right choice for your shoulder pain. 

Erchonia low level laser equipment for the treatment of chronic pain

Learn More About Laser Treatment for Shoulder Pain From Erchonia

Erchonia is your solution for low-level laser equipment for the treatment of chronic pain. Our business model includes never compromising on quality while staying on the cutting-edge of the laser therapy industry. We engage in clinical trials and other research because we care about your experience with our products and your increased quality of life as a result of your treatments. 

Whether you want to find an Erchonia treatment provider for your shoulder pain or offer Erchonia to your patients to serve them better, we’re the low-level laser solution for you. Contact us today to find a provider or to learn more about our products. We look forward to helping you or your patients work toward a pain-free life.

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Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Care: How They Work Together

Chiropractic care is a branch of medicine that focuses on detecting and correcting misalignments in the body that cause pain or discomfort. A chiropractor is a professional trained to diagnose and manually manipulate parts of the body to provide relief from acute or chronic pain. Chiropractors commonly work with the joints of the body, especially those of the neck, shoulders and back.

Manual manipulation of the body and joints is an effective treatment that can relieve pain, stiffness and other uncomfortable symptoms associated with chronic or acute pain. As technology continues to develop, chiropractors are implementing the latest and most innovative treatments for their patients. Chiropractic laser therapy combines chiropractic care with laser treatments to provide patients with additional relief from uncomfortable symptoms due to chronic pain.

What Is Laser Therapy Paired With Chiropractic Treatment?

Chiropractors have begun implementing laser technology to help patients find relief from discomfort, including joint pain and lower back pain. The lasers used by chiropractors are generally cold laser treatments, which may also be known as low-level laser treatments or cold therapy. Cold laser therapy is an innovative treatment modality that can reduce inflammation and pain while promoting your body’s natural healing response.

Unlike traditional high-intensity lasers, cold lasers do not generate enough heat to warm the skin and are a gentler treatment option. Laser therapy paired with chiropractic care is an effective treatment that can manage pain levels, stimulate nerve regeneration and ease inflammation to help patients heal from injuries or chronic pain.

How Do Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Care Work Together?

Laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to treat an injury or ailment causing pain to the body. Laser therapy can help stimulate your body’s natural healing processes and reduce recovery time from an accident or injury. Cold lasers are devices that administer focused light waves to the treatment area to penetrate through the skin and tissues.

In most cases, a laser treatment only takes a few minutes for a chiropractor to apply, but treatment times vary depending on the size of the treatment area. Chiropractors use laser technology to target the treatment area more precisely. Cold laser therapy can pinpoint a treatment area more accurately and deliver effective treatment to promote healing and reduce downtime associated with chronic pain.

what can laser therapy treat?

What Can Laser Therapy Paired With Chiropractic Care Treat?

Research estimates that approximately 20% of adults in the world deal with chronic pain, with 10% being newly diagnosed annually. Many people who deal with chronic pain are looking for innovative treatments that are non-invasive but provide relief to persistent pain or discomfort. Cold laser therapy combined with chiropractic care is an effective treatment that can help relieve pain and discomfort from various conditions.

As research continues, cold laser therapy has been shown to provide numerous health benefits and be a versatile treatment that can improve symptoms of many conditions, both acute and chronic. During a cold laser treatment, energy from the light enters the tissues and stimulates cellular interactions that can increase your body’s natural healing speed and provide pain relief. Cold laser therapy can also address:

  • Inflammation: One of the most popular benefits of cold laser therapy is that it can help reduce swelling and can treat edemas. An inflammation treatment can reduce swelling and alleviate any pain that inflammation may cause as it places additional pressure on surrounding nerves and tissues.
  • Sprains: Cold therapy is an effective treatment for sprains and other sports-related injuries. Low-level light therapy can improve blood flow to areas that have poor circulation, promoting a sprain to heal more quickly.
  • Strains: Common muscle and tissue strains can be improved with a low-level laser treatment. Cold therapy can help improve symptoms of a muscle strain, including potential swelling and acute pain.
  • Bursitis: Bursitis is a type of inflammation that affects fluid-filled pads that are meant to cushion your joints. Cold therapy can be an effective treatment to manage and improve the symptoms of bursitis.
  • Tendonitis: Cold therapy is a useful non-invasive treatment for tendonitis. Patients looking for relief without undergoing traditional surgery seek laser therapy to help with their tendonitis.
  • Arthritis pain: Low-level laser therapy is an effective way to manage pain associated with arthritic joints. Patients can find relief from arthritis and osteoarthritis pain with cold laser treatments.

Treating Chronic Neck and Back Pain With Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy is an effective treatment modality to improve chronic neck and back pain. On average, 8% of adults experience persistent or recurring chronic back pain. Low-level laser treatments are a muscle and tissue treatment that uses innovative lasers to uniquely target and treat areas of chronic pain in the neck, back and body.

In most cases, a treatment for chronic neck and shoulder pain or back pain with cold therapy only takes 10 minutes. Cold laser treatments are a quick, effective way to target areas of chronic pain precisely and with greater accuracy. Depending on the area you are looking to treat or if you are treating multiple areas, your session time may be longer.

Benefits of Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Care

Cold laser therapy is a versatile treatment that can provide numerous benefits for those experiencing acute or chronic pain. One of the most popular benefits of laser therapy paired with chiropractic care is that low-level treatments are non-invasive and do not require downtime that many surgical or invasive treatment modalities do. Additionally, cold laser treatments are quick and can help alleviate pain efficiently and promptly and provide numerous other benefits, like:

  • Provide relief for chronic pain: One of the main benefits of light therapy is that it can alleviate pain and improve discomfort. Cold laser treatments utilize innovative laser technology to target treatment areas at varying depths.
  • Reduce edemas: In addition to its ability to alleviate pain, cold laser treatments can also reduce inflammation, swelling and the presence of edemas. Swelling in the body can apply pressure to surrounding areas and cause additional discomfort if left untreated.
  • Stimulate local blood circulation: Laser treatments can help improve local blood circulation and restore proper blood flow in the soft tissues.
  • Offer accuracy: Because cold therapy uses state-of-the-art laser technology, chiropractors can more precisely target a treatment area to alleviate pain and discomfort. Higher accuracy allows for more effective treatment of chronic pain.
  • Promote faster recovery: Cold laser treatments can expedite your body’s natural healing cycle by stimulating the production of fibroblasts. These cells can promote the production of collagen and play a vital role in the body’s process of healing injuries or wounds.
  • Trigger endorphins: A laser treatment can increase the production of your body’s natural endorphins, which can help ease pain and discomfort throughout the body.
  • Stimulate bone formation: Research has shown that low-intensity laser light therapy can have stimulating effects on bone cells. Additionally, light therapy can accelerate the overall healing and repair process of the bone.
  • Promote nerve regeneration: Cold laser therapy has also been shown to promote the regeneration of nerves by increasing the production of growth factors, helping to achieve proper nerve recovery.
  • Improve muscles: Laser therapy can help improve overall muscle health by stimulating muscle cells to regenerate and heal. Laser treatments can help improve symptoms of aching or painful muscles.

Erchonia laser therapy and chiropractic treatment

Erchonia Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Treatment

At Erchonia, we offer the latest and most innovative lasers for pain management that are easy to use and painless to apply. Low-level lasers are a revolutionary treatment modality that can spur life-changing results with quick and simple treatment. Our goal is to provide the highest-quality lasers and prioritize quality in all we do.

We conduct extensive research in clinical trials to ensure our state-of-the-art lasers are an effective and safe treatment modality to improve various conditions and manage pain. To learn more about our laser treatments and lasers for pain management, contact us online today.

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How to Market Laser Therapy

The laser therapy market in North America is a fast-growing industry, slated to grow over 650 million between 2020 and 2027. Because it represents a promising, safe and effective treatment option for conditions ranging from pain to foot fungus, many physicians consider integrating laser therapy into their services and treatment plans.

While laser therapy offers so many benefits, many patients have no idea it’s an option for them. It’s up to doctors like you to educate your patients and help them find the treatment options that can provide the best outcomes. Learn how to sell laser therapy to your patients and market this promising treatment option from the experts at Erchonia.

1. Find Your Target Patients

As with marketing any business or product, your first step is to know your market. You need to understand who is a good candidate for low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and what benefits appeal most to them. While many patients like that it is a painless, effective, noninvasive and drug-free treatment option, the way you frame these benefits may depend on who you’re talking to. When you understand your target market’s needs, you can tailor your pitch and manage each patient’s expectations.

Some patients who are good candidates for LLLT include:

  • Athletes: Athletes and exercise enthusiasts who are in rehab for an injury are excellent candidates for cold laser treatments. They may also seek laser treatment for performance enhancement, as clinical studies have shown that low-powered pulsed lasers can improve performance and post-exercise recovery.
  • Patients with personal injuries: Others who are experiencing injuries may see laser therapy as an attractive option for acute pain treatment. These patients usually like that laser therapy can save time and doesn’t require surgery or drugs.
  • Patients with chronic pain: Those suffering from chronic pain are often attracted to innovative and promising new treatment options. If they’ve found limited success with other treatments, laser therapy may be what they’ve been looking for.
  • Workers’ compensation claimants: Injured workers often want fast treatments that can get them back on the job quickly. Adding LLLT to a treatment plan can lead to better patient outcomes and faster recovery.
  • Older patients: Older adults may want to stay active as they age, manage pain and reduce their prescription drug intake. Laser therapy can help them achieve each of these goals.

As you begin implementing laser therapy, carve out a niche by focusing on one of these groups first. Many physicians have found success picking three to four patients within a particular group to offer the treatment to first. You can use these trial patients to master the marketing process and gain experience implementing individualized laser treatment plans.

Focusing on one niche at a time can also aid word-of-mouth marketing. Athletes may share their experiences with others on their teams or in their networks. Likewise, older patients may talk about their laser therapy with family and friends in the same age range.

how to market laser therapy

2. Create Marketing Materials for Your Website and Office

The science of laser therapy is still relatively new, and many patients have never even heard of it. It may not be something your patients know to ask about, which is why physicians need to educate their patients through marketing collateral and digital content.

Create pamphlets, posters and other collateral for your office, and talk to your supplier for any laser therapy marketing resources you can offer on particular products. Brochures and posters should educate patients on how LLLT works and help them understand the different classes of lasers and what they’re for. You can also consider sending similar collateral via direct mail. Online, you can curate educational webpages on your LLLT services and even promote them with paid advertising, email blasts and social media content.

While your promotional materials should highlight the benefits and outcomes for patients, it’s also important to demystify the laser therapy process. Offer evidence from clinical trials and help your patients understand exactly how this process works and why it’s effective.

With your marketing materials in place, consider how to introduce them to patients. Often, when a patient arrives with a condition that’s a good candidate for LLLT, you can have staff present them with a brochure before the physician sees the patient. You might also host an LLLT info session to talk about the procedure with interested patients and distribute more collateral.

3. Educate Your Staff

Think of your technicians and staff as key influencers in the treatment option decision-making process. Your patients may ask staff members questions about laser treatment before you’ve had a chance to introduce it to them as the doctor. They might also seek more information after meeting with you about it. In either case, ensuring your staff understands and truly believes in the treatment is crucial.

Give your team the resources they need to understand LLLT from a clinical technician’s perspective. Consider directing them to clinical research or educating them yourself. You can also sign up your team for our laser therapy webinars to get everyone familiar with the technology and its applications. Consider letting your staff try the treatment themselves so they can become evangelists for it. When they know how LLLT works and have experienced the benefits themselves, they’re more likely to talk it up to your patients.

4. Create a Package Deal

When introducing laser therapy at your practice, deciding how to price the service is essential. One benefit to patients is that LLLT is cost-effective compared to other invasive procedures, so it’s critical to frame your cost structure appropriately.

A package deal is an excellent marketing strategy for laser therapy because it keeps patients engaged in treatment. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that LLLT can provide short-term pain relief. However, treatment is a process. Offering laser therapy as a multi-session package deal encourages patients to continue the full treatment plan so they can see results over time. It also prevents them from discontinuing treatment because they didn’t see results right away.

5. Offer a Free Laser Promotion

Laser therapy is an unfamiliar treatment option to many patients, which is why it’s so helpful for patients to try it out while they’re considering it. Consider offering a free laser day or letting existing patients get their first laser treatment for free. This can give your existing patients added value by letting them be the first to try the new technology. It can also give you the chance to talk with patients in more depth about LLLT’s benefits as they’re receiving the treatment.

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Get Marketing Materials for Your LLLT From Erchonia

If you own or are considering a laser from Erchonia, we offer many resources to help you implement the treatment into your practice. We offer the Erchonia Marketing Portal, which you can use to print ready-to-use laser therapy marketing materials or use our graphics to create your own marketing materials.

We want to be a trusted partner for practitioners using Erchonia LLLT products. That’s why we offer educational seminars on laser therapy applications and other helpful training and education resources through our eCommunity. As an Erchonia customer, you’ll also be able to list yourself as an Erchonia laser provider on our website.

To learn more about Erchonia laser therapy products, reach out to our team today.

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The Difference Between Hot and Cold Laser Therapy

Millions of Americans suffer from muscle and joint pain. According to a study published in March 2020, health care spending increased from an estimated $1.4 trillion in 1996 to $3.1 trillion in 2016. Among the conditions included in the study, back and neck pain had the highest amount of health care spending, followed by other musculoskeletal disorders. In other words, the need for pain-relieving treatment has been on the rise for quite some time.

One way to help patients find relief from inflammation and pain is to use laser therapy. The American College of Physicians strongly recommends that clinicians use non-pharmacological treatments such as laser therapy to treat conditions like chronic low back pain. Laser therapy can positively affect musculoskeletal pain and help patients feel better and heal faster. By using laser therapy, physicians can treat patients effectively and avoid prescribing opioids or surgery for pain.

Doctors can offer laser treatment by applying cold or hot lasers. The main difference between cold and hot lasers is maximum power output. However, greater power also increases the risk of injury. It’s worth weighing the pros and cons of hot and cold lasers, so you can choose a device you’re comfortable using and that will offer the most significant benefits to your patients.

In this post, we’ll explore what laser therapy is and how hot lasers differ from cold ones. If you need assistance selecting a cold laser for your practice, we’ll be happy to assist you at Erchonia.

How does laser therapy work?

How Does Laser Therapy Work?

First, to understand how laser therapy works, it’s essential to know what lasers are. Lasers are beams of light that travel at specific frequencies. Light is composed of photons, which are particles consisting of electromagnetic radiation. During laser therapy, a physician places a handheld laser device to the patient’s skin or directly above the affected area. The photons penetrate the skin and underlying tissues, triggering cellular activity and resulting in pain relief, muscle relaxation, decreased inflammation and tissue regeneration. Using lasers to treat pain is called photobiomodulation.

What Does Laser Therapy Treat?

Physicians can use laser therapy can treat a vast range of musculoskeletal conditions, such as:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Tendonitis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
  • Tennis elbow
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Sciatica
  • Headaches
  • Herniated disc
  • Muscle spasms
  • Sprains and strains

Laser therapy is also used in veterinary care to treat arthritis and soft-tissue injuries and promote healing after surgery.

Benefits of laser therapy

Benefits of Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is beneficial in treating musculoskeletal conditions for the following reasons:

  • Fast: Laser therapy only takes a few minutes. Although patients may need to attend several sessions before their treatment is complete, they should be able to fit laser therapy easily into their schedules. They also won’t need to set aside time to recover, and they can return to work immediately after each appointment. Also, studies have shown long-lasting results.
  • Painless: Laser therapy is a painless, non-invasive procedure. It’s easy to apply and can be performed in your office instead of an external facility.
  • Non-pharmacological: Physicians can use laser therapy to help patients manage pain without prescribing addictive opioids. Since opioids have a high risk of misuse, laser therapy makes a safer alternative to pain relief.
  • Safe: Unlike surgery or pain medications, cold laser therapy does not have any side effects. With laser therapy, patients don’t have to worry about any complications associated with surgery or endure long recovery times.
  • Effective: Over 4,000 studies show the positive effects of cold laser therapy, and it’s cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat various conditions.

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What Are Hot Lasers and Why Are They Used?

Hot lasers are known as Class IV lasers. Class IV lasers have a power output above 500 milliwatts (mW). At a lower power range, hot lasers are used for therapeutic purposes. Higher-intensity Class IV lasers can cut tissue during surgical procedures. Class IV lasers are called hot lasers because they can rapidly increase tissue temperatures.

Doctors might prefer hot laser therapy, also called high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), to quickly provide topical heating for tissue and muscle relaxation. This allows physicians to help patients feel temporary relief. Depending on a patient’s needs and condition, they may start feeling better only after a couple of HILT sessions. However, patients with severe injuries or chronic pain may need additional treatments.

What Are Cold Lasers and Why Are They Used?

Cold lasers are also known as low-level lasers, and they are among Class II and Class III lasers. Cold lasers have a power output of less than 500 mW. These lasers are called “cold” because they do not generate a thermal effect.

Using cold lasers for therapy is often referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT). While cold lasers use less power than Class IV lasers, they have a broader range of FDA market clarences. Physicians apply cold laser to the treatment areas for several minutes, normally ranging from 5-20 minute sessions.  They can treat multiple points in a single session, which makes this method especially efficient for patients seeking treatment.

LLLT is nothing new. According to an article published in the MedCrave Online Journal of Orthopedics and Rheumatology, LLLT has been shown to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain, and promote healing in musculoskeletal conditions for over 40 years.

Recent studies continue to support the benefits of LLLT. For example, a meta-analysis from 2019 examined published randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effects of LLLT on fibromyalgia. The researchers concluded that LLLT is a safe and effective treatment for fibromyalgia.

Another meta-analysis from 2019 reviewed randomized controlled trials to determine if LLLT is an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis. According to the study’s researchers, LLLT significantly reduces heel pain, and its results last for three months after treatment.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Pain and Relief explored the use of the Erchonia FX 635 Class II laser on low back pain. The study found patients continued to experience decreased pain 12 months after treatment. The researchers concluded that LLLT effectively treats low back pain and is a safer alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and opioids.

Chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons and other health care providers might choose LLLT to safely treat their patients’ pain or inflammation without the risks associated with more powerful lasers.

Veterinarians may also use LLLT to treat dogs with chronic pain and conditions like osteoarthritis. According to a study published in March 2020, preliminary findings suggest that LLLT improves the quality of life for dogs with osteoarthritis and increases client satisfaction.

According to the FDA, Class IV laseres are an immediate skin and eye hazard from exposure to a direct or reflected beam

Which Therapy Is Better?

Class IV lasers are categorized by the FDA under product code “ILY”. This category started as a heating pad and has expanded to thermal lasers, which are intended to “provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature for temporary relief of muscle and joint pain and stiffness, arthritis pain, or muscle spasm, the temporary increase in local blood circulation and/or promoting relaxation of the muscle”.

LLLT is a non-thermal process and classified under FDA product code NHN, powered light-based laser non-thermal instrument with non-heating effect for adjunctive use in pain therapy. Blinded and controlled trials are required for new 510(k) indications. LLLT is FDA cleared for Neck & Shoulder, Carpal Tunnel, Plantar Fasttiss, knee, low back, and overall nociceptive musculoskeletal pain.

An article published by Harvard Medical School titled “Biphasic Dose Response in Low-Level Light Therapy” concludes LLLT delivered at low doses tends to work better than the same wavelength delivered at high levels, which illustrates the basic concept of biphasic dose response or hormesis.

How to Choose a Laser for Your Practice

If you’re considering investing in a therapeutic laser, there are plenty of factors to consider other than whether a laser is hot or cold. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to select a laser device that meets your needs. To help you through the process, here are some factors to consider and questions to ask yourself:

  • The device manufacturer: Before you purchase a laser from a manufacturer, research the company and consider how long it’s been in business and where it’s located. Find out if their equipment incorporates the latest research. A reputable company offers support and is committed to innovation and safety for both physicians and patients.
  • The equipment: Look at the laser equipment and assess its durability. Consider if the device is easy to use and if your employees will be able to deliver treatments effectively with it.
  • Return on investment: Consider the device’s cost and the number of patients you plan to treat each month with the laser. In general, Class IV lasers are more expensive than cold ones.
  • FDA Market Clearance: Look at the FDA market clearance for indications of use.
  • Research: Look at the level of research performed. Case studies are considered the lowest form of research, while level 1 double-blind placebo-controlled studies are the highest.

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Contact Erchonia for More Information

If you’re a health care provider searching for a safe and effective way to help your patients recover from musculoskeletal injuries and pain, laser therapy is an excellent alternative to medications and surgery. Cold laser therapy allows you to treat patients effectively without the risks associated with high-intensity lasers.

At Erchonia, we can help you select a cold laser device to meet your needs. As a developer and manufacturer of low-level lasers, we are committed to advancing LLLT through clinical and scientific research. We are continually innovating to ensure we offer the high-quality technology clinicians and patients expect.

We offer several types of laser devices designed to relieve pain and treat various musculoskeletal conditions. For example, our XLR8 handheld laser uses LLLT to stimulate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and reduce oxidative stress. Health care providers can use the XLR8 to treat chronic pain, providing a safe alternative to pain medications. The cordless handheld design also makes transporting the device between rooms easier, which reduces setup time and increases productivity.

Our FX 635 laser is the world’s first laser designed to treat chronic low back pain. Using low-level laser technology, the FX 635 reduces inflammation and promotes recovery allowing your patients to finally find relief from back pain. It can offer targeted and precise relief due to its laser diode arms, and it can work well alongside other treatments like muscle massages.

If you’re ready to find a dependable product from the leader of LLLT technology, let us know. Contact us today for information about our low-level lasers, or check out our clinical research to learn more.

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How Erchonia Low Level Laser Therapy Works