We’re proud to offer the latest technology in high powered, class IV laser therapy!  Find out how it can help you today!

 WHAT IS CLASS IV LASER THERAPY?

Laser Therapy, or “photobiomodulation”, is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to create therapeutic effects. These effects include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling. Laser Therapy has been widely utilized in Europe by physical therapists, nurses and doctors as far back as the 1970’s. Now, after FDA clearance in 2002, Laser Therapy is being used extensively in the United States.

Dr. Carver has completed the continuing education courses and testing required to be certified by the American Institute of Medical Laser Applications (AIMLA), the governing body for medical lasers.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Studies have shown that cells respond to specific wavelengths of light.  During Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level and metabolic activity increases within the cell, improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health.  This means you will decrease your pain and heal FASTER!

No.  In fact, some patients report a soothing warmth during treatment.  This is due to your cellular metabolism increasing and the healing process being stimulated.

Class IV laser therapy has been proven to block pain, increase endorphins (your body’s natural pain-killer) and decrease bradykinin (pain increaser).

It is used by clinicians to successfully treat:

  • Back pain, disc injuries and stenosis
  • Nerve pain, neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, poly- neuropathy, carpal tunnel, trigeminal neuralgia
  • Arthritis, cartilage degeneration, stiff joints (neck and back, knee, shoulder and foot)
  • Soft tissue injuries like tendonitis, bursitis, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tear, meniscus injury
  • There are studies that have shown improvement in stroke recovery and Parkinsons patients.
    Reduces scar tissue formation
  • Disc bulges and herniations

Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week, tapering to once a week or once every other week, with improvement.

Many patients report improvement (pain reduction) after their very fist treatment.  Sometimes, you may not feel improvement for a number of treatments.  This does not mean that nothing is happening.  Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 3 or 4 sessions.

LightForce™ Therapy Lasers are the preferred therapy lasers of over 100 professional and collegiate sports teams. They are used by team trainers and physical therapists.  It is also utilized by USA Track/Field, USA Basketball, MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA, WNBA and throughout collegiate sports to reduce recovery times and get their athletes back in action and performing at their optimal level.  And now you too can benefit from this highly effective therapy!

Laser therapy is a safe treatment for most patients.  It is safe for use over medical implants and metal and for those who are post-surgery.

However, there are a small number of conditions that may prohibit you from using laser therapy such as pregnancy, malignancy, and the use of some photo sensitizing medications.

Before you begin care, you will be given a thorough examination to determine if our treatments are right for you.

During more than twenty years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have ever been reported. Occasionally some old injuries or pain syndromes may feel tender for a day or two, as the healing response is more active after treatment.

The typical treatment averages 3-10 minutes per treatment, depending on the size of the treatment area.

This depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions 1 to 6 treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require 8 to 12 (or more) treatments. Conditions such as severe arthritis may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.

Yes!  We find that patients respond best when laser therapy is coupled with treatments such as chiropractic care, therapeutic exercise, muscle stimulation, and spinal decompression, and even following surgery.  Your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs and may include multiple therapies to accelerate your healing.

No.  Our laser is a Class-4 Deep Tissue Therapy Laser with much deeper penetrating power, allowing the light energy to reach the impacted areas deep within our tissues. No cold laser on the market today can come close to the fast-acting therapeutic effects of our Class-4 device. With our high-powered Class IV laser, chronic pain relief and hard-to-fix cases are our specialty.  All lasers are NOT created equal!

Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of Laser Therapy. Among these, there are more than one hundred rigorously controlled, scientific studies that document the effectiveness of laser for many clinical conditions.

Here is just a handful of positive studies:

  • Bjordal J, Couppo C, Chow R, Tuner J, Ljunggren E. A systemattc review of low level laser therapy with location specific doses for pain from chronic joint disorders. Aust JPhysiother 2003 ;a9Q: 107 -I 6.
  • Bjordal JM, Lopes-Martins R, Joensen J, et al. A systematic review with procedural assessments and meta-analysis of low level laser therapy in lateral elbow tendonopathy (tennis elbow). BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2008 ;9:7 5-l 00.
  • Bjordal JM, Lopes-Martins R, Iverson VV. A randomized, placebo controlled trial of low level laser therapy for activated Achilles tendonitis with microdialysis measurement of peritendinous prostaglandin E2 concentrations. Br J Sports Med 2006;4A:7 6-80.
  • Carcia C, Martin R, Houck J, Wukich D. Achilles Pain, Stiffness, and Muscle Power Deficits: Achilles Tendonitis. Journal of Orthopedic Spoorts and Physical Therapy 2012 40(9):A1-A26. Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martin R, Bjordal JM. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. Lancet 2009: V374: 1897-1908.
  • Crawford F. Plantar heel pain (including plantar fasciitis). Clinical Evidence, Issue 7. Tavistock Square, UK: BMJ Publishing Group; June 2002.
  • Gross AR, Aker PD, Goldsmith CH, et al. Physical medicine modalities for mechanical neck disorders (Cochrane Review). The Cochrane Lrbrary, Issue 3, 2002. Oxford, UK: Update Software.
  • Kuslich AD, Ulstrom CL, Michael CJ. The tissue origin of low back pain and sciatica. Ortho Cln North Am I99L;22: 181- 187.
  • Lord M, Barnsley L, Wallis BJ, Boughton N. chronic cervical zygapophyseal joint pain after whiplash: a placebo controlled prevalence study. Spine 1996;21(15):1737-45.
  • Marks R, de Palma F. Clinical efficacy of low power laser therapy in osteoarthritis. Physiother Res Int 1999:4(2):14lt57.
  • Naeser M, Photobiomodulation of pain in carpal tendon syndrome: a review of seven laser therapy studies. Photomedicine and Surgery 2006; V24, N2:101-110.
  • O’Connor D, Marshall S, Massy-Westropp N. Nonsurgical treatment (other than steroid injection) for carpal tunnel syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003;(1):CD003219.
  • Puett DW, Griffin MR. Published trials of non-medicinal and non-invasive therapies for hip and knee osteoarthritis. Ann Intern Med 1994;12l(2):133-140.