Class 4 Laser Therapy
The Class 4 Laser Therapy has made it much easier for patients to get treatment the way they want, painless. This new device gives the patient a warm feeling to the areas of pain.
What is the Class 4 Laser?
Class 4 Laser Therapy is a powerful medical treatment the utilizes a high-powered laser to promote healing in damaged tissues. Primarily targeting musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, back pain, sports injuries and wound healing. IT offers effective relief and rehabilitation.
Class IV Laser Therapy can penetrate deep into the tissue and address disease and injuries in the deep muscles and bones. Compared to low-level laser devices, Class 4 Lasers offer greater treatment depth and faster treatment speed, ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes. The laser can be used directly to the skin or hovering right above the skin in an up and down or side to side motion. There is training involved prior to using the machine.
Laser therapy in the podiatry world can be used for Peripheral Neuropathy, Diabetic Neuropathy, Plantar Fasciitis, Fibroma, Arthritis pain, Degenerative Discs/Joints, Warts, Tendinitis, Bunion pains, Sprains and/or Strains, Bruises, Contusions, Burns, Athletic Injuries, Work-Related Injuries and Auto Injuries. Many patients in today’s society want something more than just oral or topical mediation to help with disease and pathologies.
This device gives patients the comfort they want while giving them the treatment they need to relieve them of their pain or get rid of lesions and fungus that may have been present for weeks, months; yes, even years.
This device has many, many success stories, patients are seeing the results as fast as the same day with relief of pain. For patients that have external and internal edema, the Class 4 Laser reduces the inflammation that causes discomfort and pain. There are many benefits including immunomodulation, promotion of wound healing, and tissue regeneration. Any time that can be cut down from a patient’s wound healing time is greatly rewarding for the doctor and their patients. Many of us know it can take weeks and months for a wound to close from the inside out. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has grouped all lasers, for both medical and non-medical users, into four classifications. “Class IV” (or Class 4) lasers include those that emit power more than one watt. Eye protection is needed when using these lasers to limit reflected light exposure. The majority of scientific , industrial, military and medical lasers fall into this category.
What makes this different?
The key difference is the therapeutic modalities the photo biomodulation (“Photo” meaning light, “Bio” means life and “Modulation” means change) provides energy to cells that causes a series of chemical changes, resulting in the body essential healing itself.
How great is that? Something that helps the body heal itself.
The photobiomodulation
- Stimulation of ATP
- Increased DNA and RNA synthesis
- Enhanced collagen synthesis
- Increased levels of beta-endorphins and serotonin
The Class 4 Laser therapy also
- Promotes relaxation of muscles and provides relief from muscle spasms.
- Temporarily decreases arthritis symptoms
- Helps to increase blood circulation
The Class 4 Laser therapy treatment is beneficial for post-surgical patients. Additional post surgery applications with therapy lasers are emerging as a viable treatment to reduce infections and induce fast heeling times, by up to 50% for surgical incision sites. This also works for post-surgical pain to reduce the inflammation
The Class 4 Laser was cleared by the FDA in 2003 and since that time newer, high powered and high intensity Class 4 Therapy Laser treatments are available to medical professionals such as physical therapy, podiatry and other medical specialties.
The time frame for use is about 5-10 minutes and up to 6-10 treatments sessions depending on what you are treating.
Side Effects
Because they are drug-free, non-invasion, and on-toxic, they are considered safe and unlikely to cause side effects.
Patients should also have a conversation with their doctors about other mediations they take and comorbidities they have to ensure that laser therapy is the right therapy for them.
Patients should make their doctor aware if they have sensitive skin or eyes and sensitivity to light. Protective glasses are worn during treatments. The following directions and instructions are essential when operating any equipment.
Sheila Cain, PMAC, PMAR
