Questions You Should Know about Neck Semiconductor Laser Device

Millions of Americans suffer from muscle and joint pain. According to a study published in March , health care spending increased from an estimated $1.4 trillion in to $3.1 trillion in . 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.

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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?

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

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  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  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 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 , preliminary findings suggest that LLLT improves the quality of life for dogs with osteoarthritis and increases client satisfaction.

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.

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

General Knowledge

Q. What is low-level laser therapy (3LT®)?

A. Low-level laser therapy is the use of low intensity photonic energy as a treatment modality.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Neck Semiconductor Laser Device.

Q. How does Low-Level Laser (3LT®) work?

A. Photonic stimuli excite the body’s cells infusing them with energy, with the three primary reactions being, reduction of inflammation, cell function and increased blood flow.

Q. What is it used for?

A. The potential applications of low-level laser (3LT®) are almost limitless, however; to date Erchonia has received market clearance for Neck and Shoulder Pain, Low Back Pain, Nociceptive Musculoskeletal Pain, Plantar Fasciitis, Postoperative Pain, Acne, Laser Assisted Liposuction, Non-Invasive Body Contouring, Onychmycosis, and more.  Erchonia continues to conduct clinical trials on other applications.

Q. What are the benefits of low-laser therapy?

A. Low level laser therapy is a non-invasive, fast and effective modality that has been proven in clinical trials to reduce pain, reduce edema, and promote healing.

Q. How safe is low-level laser therapy (3LT®)?

A. Low level laser therapy has is very safe; the only general precaution is the use of special filtering glasses when a class 3B laser is in use.

Q. What the difference is between pulsed vs. constant wave?

A. Like their names imply, constant wave is a continuous emission of laser energy, without disruption, for the length of time the device is ON. Pulsed wave is controlled breaks in the wave, at predefined and programmed intervals.

Q. What is hertz as it relates to low-level lasers?

A. The predefined, controlled breaks in the laser emission, measured by the number of breaks per second, equals hertz.

Applications

Q. Is low-level laser therapy painful?

A. No, most people do not feel anything.  For those that have reported a feeling, it is nothing more than a slight tingling.

Q. How is low-level laser therapy administered?

A. The mechanics of low low-level laser therapy is administered is based on the indication for use; however, the general process is the probe containing the laser diode(s) are held in place or moved gently over the treatment area at a distance of anywhere from 4” – 12.”

Q. How long does it take for the laser to heal or improve a condition?

A. This is dependent of the application; however, progress is immediately evident.

Q. What’s the difference between Lasers vs. LED?

A. Erchonia 3LT® devices used electric diodes, which are high end, culminated and strictly measured within a plus/minus .05%.  LEDs are inexpensive, non-focused wide range light sources.  The primary difference is in performance and depth of penetration.  Laser diodes penetrate, working subcutaneously, LEDs do not affecting the surface only.

Research

Q. What clinical studies have been conducted using low-level laser?

A. Erchonia has sponsored numerous clinical trials and continues to promote low-level laser as a modality through ongoing research.  To see the completed study results and the on-going study progress, click here.

Sales & Marketing

Q. How much does the Erchonia laser devices cost?

A. Erchonia has a make and model for every type of application and each budget.  Contact 888.242. to talk with a sales representative or click here to submit a contact form.

Q. What are the trends in laser therapy?

A. Since the applications of low-level laser therapy are virtually endless and 3LT® can be included in most modalities, Erchonia works within the trends of the general medical community.

Q. How does an Erchonia Laser Physician get added to the Physician Search?

A. To add your listing, please follow the Find a Laser Provider step-by-step instructions included here.

Q. How does Erchonia equipment owners gain access to approved marketing materials (i.e. logos, pictures, brochures, banner & posters)?

A. Erchonia has built a Marketing Portal for all customers to access.  Each physician must create their own account using the Marketing Portal step-by-step instructions included here.

Compliance

Q. Is low-level laser therapy FDA market cleared?

A. Yes each Erchonia laser has received FDA market clearance.

Q. Are Erchonia low-level laser devices tested to ensure safety?

A. Erchonia Corporation develops, designs, and manufactures devices in accordance to both FDA and International Standards for Medical Device Quality Standards.  Prior to release to production, finished devices are tested to Medical Safety Standards for Laser Controls, EMC, and Safety.

Contraindications

Q. Are there any conditions which would prevent me from low-level laser treatment?

A. There are no code regulated contraindications; however, since there are no long term evaluations on certain conditions, Erchonia does not recommend use on pregnant women or persons with a pace maker.

Q. Does low-level laser therapy cause heat damage or cancer in the tissue?

A. No, low-level laser by virtue of design is non-heat producing and does not alter the cell structure.  The laser irradiation is non-ionizing, meaning it does not collect in the tissue.

Q. Are there any side effects?

A. Some persons have reported a sense of deep relaxation that may cause drowsiness

Q. Are there any complications to the treatments?

A. There are no known and / or published adverse effects of low-level laser therapy.

Service and Repair

Q. How long is the turnaround time for servicing my Erchonia equipment?

A. 3-5 business days once we receive it in our facility, Also please keep in mind this does not include your shipping days to and from Erchonia.

Q. How does the process work on getting my Erchonia equipment serviced?

A. The first step you need to contact a representative in our service department by or to setup a service order, Second step once service order is setup, pack equipment up safely put your service order # on the outside of the box and on the inside, once we receive the equipment we will contact you by or letting you know we have received it, it will then go out to our technicians who will examine the equipment, once it’s been looked over we will contact you by  or letting you know the diagnoses and cost to have the unit repaired, once we received approval to move forward with the repair we will collect payment over the or through then fix the unit, ship it out and you the tracking #.

Q. Is there any kind of warranty after repairs have been done?

A. Yes, you have a 90 day warranty on everything parts, labor, shipping, etc. all Batteries and Diodes you will have a 1 year warranty

Q. How do you recommend I ship in my Erchonia equipment?

A. We recommend, FedEx or UPS they are the most reliable, If you do not have a box or foam to pack the unit up, you may go to FedEx or UPS store and they can pack it up for you.

Q. Do I send my Erchonia equipment in for service or can parts be sent to me for self service?

A. Erchonia strives for only the best quality therefore we do all repairs in house to insure our customers the best quality possible.

Q. Where do I ship my Erchonia equipment if I need service?

A. You will ship your equipment to 112 Southchase Blvd.  Fountain Inn, SC    Attn: : Service Department

Q. What Information do I need to have present when contacting a service representative to setup a service order?

A. You will need the serial number off your Erchonia equipment, your contact information (address, number, )

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