What are the advantages of laser therapy over other forms of therapy?
Laser therapy does not require the use of drugs or surgery, there are fewer side effects or risks, and it is quick and convenient — pain relief is often immediate. Studies have shown that laser therapy is equal to — or even more effective — than other forms of physical therapy.
What does laser therapy treatment feel like? Does it hurt?
For many people, there is little or no sensation during treatment, and there is no pain. You may feel a mild, soothing warmth. Laser treatment is relaxing — some people even fall asleep! On the other hand, it sometimes occurs that pain can increase or begin 6-24 hours after a treatment session. Pain may occur because the laser light begins the healing process. This type of pain is more likely to arise if the health problems being treated are chronic in nature. The pain usually subsides after a few days but can, in rare cases, last longer.
How long does laser treatment treatment take?
The typical course of treatment is 5-10 minutes, although it depends on the size of the area being treated. Acute conditions may require daily treatment, in particular if they are accompanied by significant pain. Chronic problems typically respond better when the treatments are received 2-3 times per week. With each patient, we determine their treatment plan on an individual basis. Laser therapy treatments must be administered directly to skin, as laser light cannot penetrate through layers of clothing. You will feel a soothing warmth as the therapy is administered.
How is the treatment administered?
Depending on the condition being treated, your therapy may be administered through either a contact or non-contact hand piece. The contact hand piece is designed to allow the practitioner to physically manipulate the tissue while administering the treatment, resulting in a laser-massage treatment. This allows for light to penetrate deeper into tissues than the non-contact hand piece, due to its ability to displace tissue through a laser-massage technique.
How many treatments will I need?
The treatment plan depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions, 2-6 treatments may be sufficient. More chronic conditions may require as many as 6-10 sessions. Conditions such as severe arthritis may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.
How long before I will feel results?
You may feel improvement in your condition (usually pain reduction) after the very first treatment. Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 2-4 sessions. Treatments just take a few minutes, however the therapeutic effect continues to sooth and heal long after you leave our office.
Are the results long-lasting?
Therapeutic laser therapy is about healing – not masking a condition, or covering it up. People feel better from this therapy because they are better, and that’s long-lasting relief.
Can laser therapy be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment?
Yes. In fact, laser therapy is even more effective when combined with other forms of therapy. These may include physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, soft tissue mobilization, electrotherapy, and following surgery.
Is it a cold laser treatment?
This is not a cold laser treatment. Our laser is a Class-4 Deep Tissue Laser with much deeper penetrating power. There is no cold laser on the market today that can come close to the fast-acting therapeutic effects of our Class-4 device. Chronic pain relief and hard-to-fix cases are our specialty. All lasers are not the same.
How do I know if laser therapy is the right treatment for me?
With all patients, we evaluate your condition and perform a complete laser therapy examination prior to treatment. We want to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure. Contact us to schedule your complimentary evaluation.
Can laser therapy be used over medical implants or over metal?
Yes, laser therapy is a light treatment. No heating is involved with the surgical or metal implants. It can be used safely with no side effects. It is extremely effective for post-operative wound healing. Many hip and knee replacement patients include laser therapy as part of their healing process.
Is laser therapy covered by medical insurance?
Some insurance carriers cover the procedure, but not all. This care may be covered under Health Savings Accounts or Flex Spending Accounts. Most patients who consider the benefits of laser therapy have already tried other approaches without success, so they choose to seek this effective method of treatment on their own. Price may not be a consideration when you have been suffering for so long.
Do I need a referral to receive treatment?
No. We may see patients who have been referred to us by their physician, but no referral is necessary. All consults are performed by licensed physicians, and all treatment will be provided by those physicians or under the supervision of the physicians.
Is this treatment safe?
LiteCure Medical lasers are cleared by the FDA and adhere to strict ISO standards in order to provide you with the safest non-invasive treatment option on the market. Laser therapy provides you with a safe and effective alternative to drugs and surgery.
Most patients see results within 3 to 5 short treatments. LiteCure Medical lasers work by flooding the tissue with photons, which energizes cells, resulting in increased circulation to the injured area and ultimately pain reduction.
Laser therapy allows your body to utilize its own healing powers by inducing a series of healing responses in your body. During treatment you will feel a soothing warmth that identifies the beginning of an 18-24 hour process of modulated cellular activity leading to decreased pain and inflammation.