How to Choose Low Level Laser Therapy?

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Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is gaining popularity in medical practices due to its non-invasive nature and potential therapeutic benefits. These devices utilize low-intensity lasers or light-emitting diodes to stimulate cellular function and promote healing. If you're considering incorporating LLLT into your practice, it's crucial to choose the right device to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.

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In this article, we will explore the types of low-level laser therapy devices available and provide guidance on selecting the most suitable device for your practice.

Types of Low-Level Laser Therapy Devices and Their Differences

When it comes to LLLT devices, there are several important distinctions to consider. Understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision.

• Class 3 vs. Class 4 laser devices: LLLT devices are classified based on their power output. Class 3 lasers deliver low-level power, typically below 500 milliwatts, while Class 4 lasers have higher power outputs. Class 4 lasers can penetrate deeper into tissues and may offer faster treatment times but require additional safety precautions due to their higher power.
• Handheld vs. stationary devices: LLLT devices come in both handheld and stationary forms. Handheld devices provide flexibility and ease of use, allowing for targeted treatment on specific areas. Stationary devices, on the other hand, are designed for larger treatment areas or multiple patients simultaneously.
• Continuous wave vs. pulsed devices: Continuous wave devices emit a steady stream of laser light, while pulsed devices emit laser light in short bursts. Pulsed devices may offer advantages in certain applications, such as pain management and wound healing.

Related Reading: Laser Classification

Considerations for Selecting the Most Suitable Device

Before choosing an LLLT device for your practice, it is essential to carefully assess several factors:

Assessing Your Practice's Needs and Patient Demographics

To find the ideal device, you should prioritize selecting the one that best meets the specific needs of your patients. By doing so, you can provide the most efficient and effective care, which fosters trust and encourages them to return for future needed treatments.

1. Understanding Practice Needs: Identify the specific needs and objectives of your practice. Analyze the range of treatments you offer and the conditions you aim to address with LLLT.
2. Patient Demographics: Analyze the demographics of your patient population. Consider factors such as age, medical history, and prevalent conditions to ensure the device aligns with their requirements.
3. Target Treatment Areas: Determine the areas of the body you intend to target with LLLT. Different devices may excel in treating certain regions more effectively than others.

Related: Comparing Cost of LLLT to other Treatments

Evaluating User-Friendliness and Compatibility

To achieve smooth integration of the LLLT device into your practice, consider the following user-friendliness and compatibility aspects:

1. Ease of Use and Ergonomic Features: Choose a device that is easy to handle and maneuver during treatments. Ergonomic features can enhance comfort for both practitioners and patients, leading to better treatment experiences.
2. Interface and Controls: Look for a well-designed interface with intuitive controls. User-friendly controls simplify device operation and allow for efficient treatment sessions.
3. Customizable Treatment Protocols: Opt for devices that offer customizable treatment protocols. This feature enables tailoring treatments to meet individual patient needs and varying medical conditions.
4. Integration with Existing Practice Management Systems: If your practice already uses management systems, consider whether the LLLT device can integrate with them. Integration streamlines patient records and enhances overall practice efficiency.

Technical Support and Training

For a smooth integration of the LLLT device into your practice, it's important to prioritize comprehensive technical support and training. Make sure to check if the manufacturer provides robust technical support, addressing any device-related issues promptly.

In addition, consider looking for training opportunities provided by the manufacturer to ensure you and your staff can operate the LLLT device effectively. By taking these factors into account, you'll be well-informed to make the best decision and choose the LLLT device that suits your practice's needs, ensuring optimal care for your patients.

Comparison of Therapeutic Applications and Effectiveness

Different LLLT devices have varying therapeutic applications and effectiveness. Consider the specific treatments you plan to offer in your practice and choose a device that aligns with those needs. 

For example, Erchonia offers a range of LLLT devices for various applications, including:

• Foot Fungus Lasers: Designed specifically for treating foot fungus, these devices provide targeted therapy for this common condition.
• Lasers for Fat Loss: These devices aim to assist in fat reduction treatments, helping patients achieve their body contouring goals.
• Lasers for Pain: LLLT devices used for pain management and relief can be beneficial for conditions such as arthritis, muscle strains, and joint pain.
• Radiation Reducer: This product, aimed at reducing exposure to cell radiation, addresses a growing concern in our technology-driven world.
• Therapeutic Stands & Accessories: Stands and accessories enhance the use of LLLT devices, improving patient comfort and treatment precision.
• Veterinary LLLT Devices: Erchonia also offers laser systems designed specifically for veterinary applications, expanding the potential of LLLT in animal healthcare.

At Erchonia, we take pride in offering a wide range of LLLT devices with unique features and applications, making us a reputable provider to consider. If you want to learn more about our products and find the most suitable LLLT device for your practice, don't hesitate to reach out to us for further information. We're here to assist you in making an informed decision and ensuring seamless integration of our LLLT device into your practice, ultimately delivering optimal care to your patients.

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Related: LLLT Safety: Guidelines for Minimizing Risks and Side Effects

How Erchonia Low Level Laser Therapy Works

If you want to know 'how to choose the right Cold Laser Therapy Device?', you must already know ' what is the cold laser therapy?', 'what is the advantage of cold laser therapy?' As we know, there are many different forms of Cold Laser Therapy Device in the market. In fact, some forms are not even lasers. Some Cold Laser Therapy Device uses non-coherent forms of light derived from LED, or light-emitting diodes, remember all LEDs are not lasers. We concluded the main 4 specs of laser therapy machine you should consider as below.

The main 4 specs should consider are:

• Wavelength(measured in nanometers [nm])
• Class level (measured in milliwatts [mW] for class 3b and watts [W] for class 4 systems)
• Pulsing Options (some systems are continuous wave [CW] only, some are pulsing only, some are both)
• Laser Therapy Protocols 
• Power
• Price

These variables control the quality of laser therapy (measured in Joules for power and Hz for pulsing) administered to the treatment area.

Low-Level Laser Wavelength

Wavelength is measured in nanometers (nm). The wavelengths used in rehabilitation are in the 620 ' nm range. Wavelength is one of the key factors that dictate the depth of penetration.

(The penetration depth for the same power of 850nm and 670nm laser)  

620-660nm

620-660nm is the shorter wavelengths of low level laser, the power level is '5mW, the depth of penetration of 620-695nm wavelength low level laser is up to 1 centimeter, especially the 650nm has been found to be effective in the treatment of superficial target tissues such as skin wounds, lymphatic issue, with acupoint therapy to hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperviscosity, rhinitis, and some other disease caused by ischemic cardiac-cerebral vascular diseases. Because much of the shorter wavelength energy can be absorbed by the blood which flows throughout the body, accelerate the blood circulation, improve the metabolism in the irradiated area.

808nm-850nm

808-850nm is the longer wavelengths low level laser, the power level commonly is high power '180mW, the depth of penetration is up to 5cm, especially the 808nm wavelengths are best suited to treat deeper target tissue, tendons, and ligaments. Because it produces the maximum interaction with mitochondria, speed up the metabolism of various tissue repair cells and mature, to accelerate the production of collagen fibers, deposition and cross-linking.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Laser Therapy For Patient Recovery.

900nm -nm

900nm -nm is high power class 4 laser, the power is > 1W, 905nm and 980nm wavelength laser are very popular being the standard for many class 4 systems, much more of the energy can be absorbed by patients when compare with class 3b low level laser, the patients can recover faster, shorten the treatment time, what's more, the class 4 980nm laser has the excellent result for musculoskeletal disorder and neuropathic pain. 

Class Level

LASER CLASSIFICATION TABLE

• Class 1 & 2& 3A lasers are very low power laser, it doesn't have the effect of any treatment, Just don't waste your time buying anything that looks like a laser pointer. 
• Class 3B laser is the Class 3 lasers are designed for practitioners but can be purchased for use on humans at home with the recommendation of a healthcare provider. They can be purchased without any restrictions for use on pets and horses. Class 3 lasers must be less than 500mW per laser diode continuous output(for example, 650nm, 808nm). Class 3b device have less chance of eye damage and no chance of tissue heating damage.
• Class 4 laser is any laser that has one or more laser beams with an output of 500mW or more( for example, 905nm, 980nm). Class 4 lasers between 1 / 2 watt and 60 watts can do damage to the eye or to tissue if improperly used. This danger is easily eliminated with training. Class 4 lasers only the professional institution can use it, for example, clinic, hospital, the practitioners should have the laser therapist certification and be trained by the company.

Pulsing Options

'Pulsing' is a familiar concept in therapeutic modalities. Both therapeutic ultrasound and short wave diathermy have pulsed mode options. Regarding the laser therapeutic, In the literature there are many examples showing that different pulse frequencies give different biological effects, It has been theorized that acute injuries should be treated with low pulse frequencies(<100 Hz), subacute injuries with higher pulse frequencies, and chronic conditions should be treated with continuous mode.

Some low level laser therapy machine is continuous wave [CW] only, some are pulsing only, some are both. For example, our 660mW Handy Laser Therapy Device is the pulsing and continuous mode, while our mW Laser Therapy Machine is the only continuous mode, so when you choose the laser therapeutic device, it depends on will you want to get the better result for the chronic conditions or the acute injuries, subacute injuries. 

Laser Therapy Protocols

When you get the laser therapy device, you just want to know what is the best method to help the patient, we called it as the laser therapy protocols. The key to the laser therapy protocols is the irradiation acupoints, time and power setting, treatment times. Some laser device, like Thor Laser they supply the laser therapy protocols, but their laser machine is more than $5,000 dollars, we supply the laser therapy protocols which combine laser therapy with acupuncture point, it was concluded through thousands of clinic trails. Lasers concentrate all their power in a small point, which makes them ideal for laser acupuncture, we suggest the clients use the laser beams on the acupoint, in this way,  laser light tends to penetrate easily to the meridians and travel along them, for energy-moving effects in the meridians, even at a distance from the point being treated, so the energy of laser can be absorbed by the body easily, and help the patient recover sooner.

The acupunct Electrother Res published the clinical literature on PubMed, they said  'Laser treatment on acupuncture points can improve pain and wrist functionality in patients under going rehabilitation therapy after wrist bone fracture. The patients treated with laser beam exposure on acupuncture points showed 44% reduction in pain and 33% of improvement in the functional status of the wrist compared with the only laser stimulation'

Power

Many practitioners asked me' does the high power laser therapy device get the result sooner? Will it have the better result? Does class 4 laser get the better result than class 3B?' I often explain for them, please image the laser therapy as have the breakfast, if you eat too much, there is no benefit, and you will feel bloated, eat less, you will feel hungry, only the right amount is the best, for laser therapy, we call the suitable Energy (Joules), the Energy (Joules) Energy is the power multiplied by the treatment time. It is measured in Joules (J)

1 Watt = 1 Joule/second

Energy = power x treatment time (sec)

Joules (J) = Watts x Sec

Example: you are using our 660mW handheld cold laser therapy device and you treat for 1 min (60 sec). what is the total energy (J) delivered)?

Answer : 660mW=0.66W, Joules(J): 0.66Wx60=39.6J

In a sense, when you use the higher power laser therapy device, it can decrease your treatment time, Conversely, when you use lower powered laser devices it will take longer to deliver a given amount of energy to the patient.

The other variable is what we call the ' dosing', It represents the actual amount of energy delivered to each cm2 of the treatment area. 

Energy Density = (Power output x treatment time) ÷ beam area (spot size) J/cm2 = ( W x sec ) ÷ cm2

GENERAL TREATMENT PROTOCOLS AT A GLANCE

Gallo JA, Wijting Y. Low Level Laser Therapy: Clinical Mentoring Series. Gulf Breeze:FL: CIAO Publishing;.

Note: As we said before, use wavelengths in the visible range (600-700 nm) for superficial lesions, in the infrared range (700- nm) for deeper lesions.

Price

As more and more practitioners, patients know the benefit of low level laser therapy(LLLT), the number of LLLT pain relief devices available on the market has grown. After you know of the Wavelength, Class level, Pulsing Options, Laser Therapy Protocols, Power, the next important factors which determine your choice will be Price.

We take much time to make the comparison table of the LLLT device on the market, for your reference as below:

Conclusion

Low-level laser therapy is an excellent addition to the rehabilitation professional's therapeutic intervention 'toolbox'. When combined with sound examination and treatment skills, LLLT has powerful physiologic effects that can accelerate tissue healing, and modulate pain.

HOT SALE LASER THERAPY DEVICE

Class IV 980nm 60W Laser          mW Laser for Clinic or Home use

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