- The application of lasers in medicine has been well-documented for decades. As with anything in healthcare, technology advances at a rapid rate. The theory behind laser therapy is simple: stimulate blood flow to expedite the healing process. There are four classes of laser therapy. The ‘class’ refers to the strength of the laser. The Medray Supermax laser is the strongest, non-surgical laser available on the market today.
- Class IV laser therapy is well-documented in medical journals and clinical studies. In fact, the FDA has cleared this technology and allowed providers to use laser therapy for over two decades. Most patients report a warm sensation during a treatment. This isn't like a heating pad, though. A Class IV laser can penetrate 50x deeper than a heating pad, meaning it can target deeper tissues like ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, which is how it can positively impact cellular function.
- There is a litany of scientific tests, documents, and studies showing the efficacy of Class IV laser therapy. The Medray Supermax laser is the most dependable laser on the market, which is why it is the only laser I trust.
- Since there is no ionizing radiation, the chances of ever causing cancer are reduced to the absolute minimum.
- Class IV is nearly 5x faster than its closest competitor, which is a III (cold laser), compared to other classes of lasers on the market. This allows the positive effect to take place within minutes. Many patients report immediate relief after the first treatment. Of course, each patient is unique, and every condition is different, but results are often quickly felt.
What are the biological effects of Class IV Laser Therapy?
- Accelerated Tissue Repair and Growth: Cells of cartilage, bone, tendons, ligaments, and muscles are repaired faster due to exposure to laser light through Class IV laser therapy.
- Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation: Scar tissue is less elastic than healthy tissue, has poorer circulation, is weaker, and is much more prone to re-injury and frequent exacerbation.
- Anti-Inflammation: Class IV laser therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect through the disposal of inflammatory mediators that are caused by biomechanical stress, trauma, overuse, and systemic conditions.
- Analgesia: Class IV laser therapy suppresses nerve signals that transmit pain to the pain.
- Improved Vascular Activity: Class IV laser therapy can increase the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue through angiogenesis and neovascularization.
- Improved Nerve Function: Class IV laser therapy accelerates nerve cell regeneration through neuronal axon sprouting.
- Stimulates Trigger Points & Acupuncture Points: Class IV laser therapy stimulates trigger points by restoring muscular tonus and balance.
How does Class IV Laser Therapy work?
The reason that I recommend Class IV laser therapy to my patients is simple: I want them to heal as quickly as possible. Certain things can stimulate or inhibit the healing process. I have seen how powerful upper cervical spinal care can be since 2017 when my wife and I became patients in this strict discipline of chiropractic care. This is the foundation of what I do with every patient and will continue to be the best tool at my disposal. I have used non-surgical spinal decompression in my practice since 2022.
Many of my patients were getting fantastic results. However, I wondered if there was something else I was missing. Was there another treatment that could help my patients get better outcomes? As a clinician, I always try to achieve the best outcomes for those I serve. I had done about 1500 non-surgical spinal decompression treatments in my office before adding Class IV laser therapy. I quickly realized that once I put this therapy into treatment plans, my patients were improving beyond what I had expected. That’s because the laser treatment decreased the inflammatory response and thus keeping pain under control.
- Dr. Michael Lea holds a certification through the Medlaser Foundation of Photobiomodulation Therapy Training program.
- Class IV laser therapy utilizes infrared electromagnetic energy. This is a non-ionizing type of energy that is highly safe. When the laser penetrates the skin, photons (light particles) are absorbed by the mitochondria, triggering a biochemical reaction within the cell that stimulates healing.
- Simply put, there is a regeneration of cellular energy. Medical research shows that high-powered photobiomodulation (Class IV laser therapy) increases the production of a cellular enzyme critical to producing ATP. Thus, the cell can function at optimal capacity.