Laser Therapy

Treatment of Chronic Pain with Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy

Class 4 Laser therapy works significantly faster than cold lasers with substantially more powerful diodes. Both CLT and Class 4 laser therapy can activate Photo Biomodulation (PBM) when they utilize the highly touted 810nm wavelength. Over 95% of Class IV Lasers use specific wavelengths of high-power laser light through fiber optic cables, to create therapeutic effects such as 635nm, 810nm, 905nm, 915nm, 980nm and 1064nm. The red and or infrared laser light that is transmitted from the laser in 1, 2, 3 or 4 wavelengths within a single laser, helps stimulate significant intracellular processes inside the body that help provide relief from numerous symptoms including acute and chronic pain, swelling, inflammation, poor cellular communication, and reduced range of motion. 

The FDA categories different classes of lasers from Class 1 to Class 4. Class 3b lasers through class 1 are considered cold laser therapy devices, which typically have power of 500mW down to 5mW, with some unique exceptions such as Optical LED’s and Super Pulsed lasers with high peak power but significantly low average power. Whereas the Class 4 laser therapy typically produces heat, which is experienced as a warm soothing sensation. 

For the past couple of decades low power cold lasers became popular due to being readily available for a reasonable price and producing results that left both patients and practitioners cheering for the benefits of laser light therapy. Class IV lasers have previously been priced out of the range of the average practitioner’s budget, and there was some fear about the fact that they produce heat and could injure the eyes if improperly used. 

As it turned out, the fear was replaced with awe, respect, and appreciation, as both patients and practitioners noticed that significant benefits could be successfully and consistently delivered to patients in a faster and more efficient manner than with cold lasers. 

Characteristics of Class IV Therapy Lasers - what is the difference between a Class III laser and a Class IV?

Class IV lasers offer better therapeutic outcome, based on six characteristics of this new technology:

1. Larger dosages of therapeutic energy: Class IV lasers can deliver up to 1,500 times for energy than Class III and, consequently, reduce treatment times.

2. Deeper penetration into the body: Leading Class III lasers only penetrate 0.5-2.0cm2.  Class IV can penetrate up to 10cm2.

3. Larger treatment surface area: Class III covers a treatment area of 0.3-5.0cm2, depending on the model and manufacturer. Class IV covers up to 77cm2. This is important when treating large regions, such as lumbar spine, quadriceps, or hips. 

4. Greater power density: Power density indicates the degree of concentration of the power output.  This property has been shown to play a major role in therapeutic outcomes.  

5. Continuous power supply: In Class III lasers, the power is pulsed or modulated approximately 50% of the time.  In other words, light is permitted to pass through the probe for only 50% of the total operating time.  In most cases, Class IV lasers deliver a consistent amount of energy over a given time.  Their power can be adjusted for acute and chronic conditions. 

6. Superior fiber optic cables: Fiber optic cables transmit laser energy from the laser to the treatment probe (wand) at the end of the cable.  Several studies reveal that as much as 50% of the light energy generated by a Class III laser may be lost by the time it reaches the end of the probe.  

The benefits of class 4 laser therapy include reduced pain and swelling as well as improved range of motion, but a class 4 laser has some very interesting effects that we don’t notice as obviously. A class 4 laser increases tissue regeneration which is why you heal faster but it also accelerates soft tissue and bone repair. This kind of laser therapy can also improve nerve regeneration & function as well as impact your cells to increase cell metabolism, enzymatic responses, collagen production, and promote angiogenesis (the creation of new blood vessels). So yes, your patients will walk away from class 4 laser therapy feeling better, and you can assure them that the therapy continues to work on the cellular level to improve musculoskeletal health after they leave the office.

Class 4 laser therapy is commonly applied to a range of issues including neuropathy, chronic knee pain or arthritis, chronic Achilles tendonitis, elbow pain or tendonitis in the elbow, chronic wrist pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Plantar Fasciitis, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, leg pain, jaw pain, rotator cuff injury, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, hip pain and more. You can also use the class 4 laser on a wide range of injury sites and extremities to provide relief to your patients.

Now you might be wondering what it feels like to get class 4 laser therapy. It’s possible that some patients might think that laser therapy will hurt, and they’re pleasantly surprised to learn that they will feel some soothing warmth in the treatment area and absolutely no pain. Class 4 lasers provide pain-free relief for your patients and can also be used in conjunction with other treatment modalities such as Chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, acupuncture, massage or in conjunction with physical therapy exercises.


At Optimal Health Clinic, we use a Class IV Laser, the most powerful laser on the market licensed for use only by professionals.  This laser has many known biological effects,  such as:


Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth.  Photons of light from lasers penetrates deeply into tissue and accelerate cellular production and growth.  The laser light increases the energy available to the cell so that the cell can take on nutrients faster and get rid of waste products.  As a result of exposure to laser light, the cells of tendons, ligaments, nerves, and muscles are repaired faster. 

  • Faster Wound Healing.  Laser light stimulates fibroblast development (fibroblast are the building blocks of collagen, which is predominant in wound healing) in damaged tissue.        Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair tissue injuries.  As a result, L T is effective on open wounds and burns.
  • Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation.  LT reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns or surgery.
  • Anti-Inflammation.  Laser light therapy has an antiemetic effect as it causes vasodilation, but also because it activates the lymphatic drainage system (drains swollen areas).            As a result, there is a reduction in swelling caused by bruising or inflammation
  • Anti-Pain (Analgesic).  Laser therapy has a high beneficial effect on nerve cells which block pain transmitted by these cells to the brain and which decreases nerve sensitivity.          Also, due to less inflammation, there is less edema and less pain.  Another pain blocking mechanism involves the production of high levels of pain killing chemicals such as              endorphins and encephalins from the brain and adrenal gland.
  • Improved Vascular Activity.  Laser light will significantly increase the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue and that speeds up the healing process, closes wounds              quickly and reduces scar tissue.  Additional benefits include acceleration of angiogenesis, which causes temporary vasodilation, an increase in the diameter of blood vessels.
  • Increased Metabolic Activity.  Laser therapy creates higher output of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells.
  • Improved Nerve Function.  Slow recovery of nerve functions in damaged tissue can result in numbness and impaired limbs.  Laser light will speed up the process of nerve cell          reconnection and increase the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action.
  • Immunoregulation.  Laser light has a direct effect on immunity status by stimulation of the immunoglobulins and lymphocytes.  LT is absorbed by chromosomes (molecular                enzymes) that react to laser light.  The enzyme flavin mononucleotide is activated and starts the production of ATP (adenosine-triphosphate), which is the major carrier of cell          energy and the energy source for all chemical reactions in the cells.
  • Trigger Point and Acupuncture Points.  Laser therapy stimulates muscle trigger points and acupuncture points on a non-invasive basis providing musculoskeletal pain relief.  


To learn more about Laser Therapy Click Here! 

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Monday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday
By Appointment
Sunday
Closed