Class IV laser therapy is pain-free and provides soothing warmth to the treated area. Many of our patients have found relief from their pain with this treatment. It can even be combined with other therapies like dry needling, physical therapy, chiropractic, and radial shockwave therapy.

This type of treatment uses a laser that emits a specific wavelength of photons to transfer energy to the affected area. Class IV Laser has many advantages over other therapies, including class III lasers. When considering Laser therapy, it’s essential to find a provider with experience treating your condition and using a class IV laser for the best results discussed below that only apply to class IV Laser. The science can be complex but quite impressive, and we share it with you below, so keep reading!  

Benefits of Class IV Laser Therapy

• Stimulates repair at the cellular level by increasing metabolic activity by promoting the release of specific enzymes and oxygen to the injured tissue. Class IV Laser Stimulates chromophores which Increase the production of ATP (an energy source for your cells)!
• Stimulates fibroblast and collagen production essential for tendon, bone, open wound, bone healing, and burn repair!
• Reduces formation of fibrous tissues so complications such as scar tissue formation are reduced from wounds, including surgery and other acute or chronic injuries!
• Reduces inflammation by many mechanisms, including ATP and neovascularization, but also promotes leukocytic activity, prostaglandin synthesis, lymphocyte response, angiogenesis, superoxide dismutase, and decreasing c-reactive protein, neopterin, and interleukin 1!
• Reduces pain by calming overactive nerves and promoting the release of endorphins to help you feel better!
• Increases neovascularization and blood flow to the area by forming new capillaries in the damaged tissue, accelerating your healing process!
• It helps repair nerve damage by accelerating the process of nerve cell reconnection!
• It can be used with other therapies, such as Radial Shockwave, chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, and acupuncture, to accelerate healing!

Technical Considerations When Looking For Laser Therapy

In the past, CLass III laser therapy started out using less than 0.5 watts of power. With further research and clinical use of laser therapy, the trend to get better results has been increasing the power density and dose over the last ten years, which has been shown to effectively and safely improve therapeutic outcomes (both with quality of healing and speed of recovery). Typically, these lasers were used 1 watt to 45 watts of power with deeper penetrating wavelengths. Often, patients come in having tried home laser units or units at other low settings or that use extremely low doses (< 1 watt) and therefore are ineffective at producing results. If you are considering laser therapy, ask what kind of laser is used.

Benefits of Class IV Laser Therapy over Class III

Class IV Laser Therapy can deliver more energy than Class III, considerably reducing the treatment time.

Class IV Laser can treat more conditions than Class III because it penetrates deeper to the affected injury site (up to 10 cm), whereas Class III penetrates up to 2 cm. This allows Class IV Laser to treat injuries where previously only surgery could reach.

Class IV Laser can treat a larger area (think Sciatica, Disc Herniation, Neuropathy) at around 75 cm2, whereas Class III laser treatment areas are roughly 0.5 to 5 cm2  

As you can see, knowing the laser type used is essential when considering Laser Therapy. We offer Free Consultations to see if Class IV Laser can help your condition, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

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References

Laser Therapy – Clinical Practice and Scientific Background

Tunér, J. and Hode, L., (2002), pp 570 with 1400 Refs.

Prima Books AB, Grängesberg, Sweden

Tumilty S, Munn J, McDonough S, Hurley DA, Basford JR, Baxter GD. Low-level laser treatment of tendinopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Photomed Laser Surg. 2010 Feb;28(1):3-16. doi: 10.1089/pho.2008.2470. PMID: 19708800.

Naeser MA. Photobiomodulation of pain in carpal tunnel syndrome: review of seven laser therapy studies. Photomed Laser Surg. 2006 Apr;24(2):101-10. doi: 10.1089/pho.2006.24.101. PMID: 16706688.

Gur A, Cosut A, Sarac AJ, Cevik R, Nas K, Uyar A. Efficacy of different therapy regimes of low-power laser in painful osteoarthritis of the knee: a double-blind and randomized-controlled trial. Lasers Surg Med. 2003;33(5):330-8. doi: 10.1002/lsm.10236. PMID: 14677160.

Fulop AM, Dhimmer S, Deluca JR, Johanson DD, Lenz RV, Patel KB, Douris PC, Enwemeka CS. A meta-analysis of the efficacy of laser phototherapy on pain relief. Clin J Pain. 2010 Oct;26(8):729-36. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e3181f09713. PMID: 20842007.