Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Pain Relief Therapy in Encino, CA
Table of Contents:
How are laser therapy treatments administered?
Does it hurt? What does the treatment feel like?
How long does the treatment take?
How many treatments does it take?
How long before results are felt?
Are the results long lasting?
Can it be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment?
Are there any side effects or associated risks?
Is this the same thing as “cold laser treatment”?
What conditions can be treated with Class IV Laser therapy?
Is Class IV Laser therapy covered by medical insurance?
How do I know if laser therapy is right for me?
Treatments are performed by positioning the laser handpiece either directly on the skin or approximately ½” above the skin and surrounding the area of injury and pain with the laser treatment beam. Various areas may be treated including: Directly over the site of injury or lesion, Acupuncture points, Trigger points or tender points and Nerve roots or superficial nerve trucks
There is usually little or no sensation during treatment. Occasionally one feels mild, soothing warmth. Laser treatment is relaxing and some people even fall asleep. On the other hand, in some cases pain can increase or begin 6-24 hours after a treatment session. This is because the laser light starts the healing process. All healing begins with a slight amount of mild inflammation. This type of pain is particularly likely to arise when the health problems are chronic in nature and the nerves are highly sensitized. It usually subsides after a few days but can, in rare cases, may last longer.
The typical course of treatment is 10-minutes, depending on the size of the area treated. Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. Problems that are more chronic respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week. Treatment plans are determined on an individual basis.
This depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions, 2 to 6 treatments may be sufficient. More chronic conditions may require 10-15 sessions. Conditions such as severe arthritis may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.
You may feel improvement in your condition after the very first treatment. Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 2 to 4 sessions. Treatments just take a few minutes, however the therapeutic effect continues to sooth and heal long after you leave our office.
Therapeutic Laser Therapy is about healing. It’s not about masking or covering up a condition. When you feel better from this therapy it’s because because you are better. Therefore, results have been found to be quite long lasting.
Yes, laser therapy is even more effective when combined with other forms of therapy, including physical therapy, chiropractic, massage and soft tissue mobilization as well as Graston, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression and other physical therapy modalities. We also combine our Class IV laser therapy with specialized exercise and deep tissue massage techniques to relieve your pain fast!
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 aggravated for a few days, as the healing response is more active after treatment.
No! Our laser is a Class-4 Deep Tissue Laser with much deeper penetrating power. No class -2 or Class-3 laser on the market today can come close to the fast-acting therapeutic effects of Class-4 device. Chronic pain relief and hard-to-fix cases are our specialty. We have had patients who have tried cold laser therapy with no success and with just ONE Class IV laser treatment they start feeling better right away. All laser therapies are not the same!
We have had tremendous success with a variety of conditions, including but not limited to; arthritis, neck pain, low back pain, hip pain, hand and foot pain, shoulder pain, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, skin conditions, migraine headaches and other inflammatory conditions.
Unfortunately, the answer is: not usually. Some insurance plans will cover the procedure, but very few. Many of our patients decide to bear the cost of the treatments for laser therapy because they are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Price is usually not a consideration when you have been suffering for so long.
We will evaluate your condition and perform a complementary laser therapy consultation to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure. Under most circumstances, treatments can begin right away after a minimal exam by the doctor. The only real way to know is to try a course of therapy.