The single most important factor that determines the effectiveness of Laser Therapy is the power output (measured in milliwatts (mW)) of the Laser Therapy Unit. It is important for the following reasons:
1. Depth of Penetration: the higher the power, the deeper the penetration, allowing for treatment of tissue damage deep within the body.
2. Treatment Time: more power leads to shorter treatment times.
3. Therapeutic Effect: the greater the power the more effective the laser is in treating more severe and painful conditions.
Type | CLass III(LLLT /Cold Laser) | Class IV laser (Hot Laser,HIgh Intensity laser, Deep tissue Laser) |
Power Output | ≤500 mW | ≥10000mW(10W) |
Depth of Penetration | ≤ 0.5 cmAbsorbed in the surface tissue layer | >4cmReachable to muscle, bone and cartilage tissue layers |
Treatment time | 60-120 Mins | 15-60 Mins |
Treatment range | It is limited to conditions related to the skin or just below the skin, such as superficial ligaments and nerves in hands, feet, elbows and knees. | Because High Power Lasers are able to penetrate more deeply into body tissues, the vast majority of muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, nerves and skin can be treated effectively. |
In summary, High Power Laser Therapy can treat many more conditions in much less time. |
Conditions benefiting from class IV laser therapy include:
•Bulging disc back pain or neck pain
•Herniated disk back pain or neck pain
•Degenerative disc disease, back and neck – stenosis
•Sciatica – knee pain
•Shoulder pain
•Elbow pain – tendinopathies
•Carpal tunnel syndrome – myofascial trigger points
•Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) – ligament sprains
•Muscle strains – repetitive stress injuries
•Chondromalacia patellae
•plantar fasciitis
•Rheumatoid arthritis – osteoarthritis
•Herpes zoster (shingles) – post-traumatic injury
•Trigeminal neuralgia – fibromyalgia
•Diabetic neuropathy – venous ulcers
•Diabetic foot ulcers – burns
•Deep edema/congestion – sports injuries
•Auto and work-related injuries
•increased cellular function;
•improved circulation;
•reduced inflammation;
•improved transport of nutrients across the cell membrane;
•increased circulation;
•influx of water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area;
•reduced swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain.
In short, in order to stimulate healing of injured soft tissue, the objective is to effect an increase of local blood circula-tion, a reduction of hemoglobin, and both the reduction and immediate re-oxygenation of cytochrome c oxidase so the process can start again. Laser therapy accomplishes this.
The absorption of laser light and en-suing biostimulation of cells results in curative and analgesic effects, from the very first treatment onward.
Because of this, even patients who are not strictly chiropractic patients can be helped. Any patient suffering with shoul-der, elbow or knee pain benefit greatly from class IV laser therapy. It also offers robust post-surgical healing and is effec-tive in treating infections and burns.