Serving Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley 

• How does laser therapy work?

  • When the photons of laser light penetrate the skin and underlying tissue, they are absorbed by the cells and converted into energy. This energy is key to helping the cells to become normal and healthy. As the cell membrane permeability is altered, a cascade of cellular events is triggered including:​

    • Stimulation of ATP​

    • Increased DNA and RNA synthesis

    • Stimulation of respiratory chain

    • Enhanced collagen synthesis

    • Increased levels of beta-endorphins and serotonin

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• How is Class IV Therapy better than Class III/Cold Laser Therapy?

  • Cold laser therapy was cleared by the FDA in 2001 with low power levels and low dosage treatments. Since that time new scientific and clinical evidence have led to the development of higher power lasers (Class IV), which can provide significantly higher dosage levels, a key for positive clinical outcomes.​

• Is laser therapy painful? What does laser therapy feel like?

  • Laser therapy treatments must be administered directly to skin, as laser light cannot penetrate through layers of clothing. You will feel a soothing warmth as the therapy is administered. Many patients receiving LightForce® Therapy Laser treatments report enjoying the experience, especially when a massage-ball treatment head is used to deliver what is often referred to as a “laser massage.”

  • Patients receiving treatments with higher-power lasers also frequently report a rapid decrease in pain. For someone suffering from chronic pain, this effect can be particularly pronounced. Laser therapy for pain can be a viable treatment.

• Is laser therapy safe?

  • Class IV laser therapy (now called photobiomodulation) devices were cleared in 2004 by the FDA for the safe and efficacious reduction of pain and increasing micro-circulation. Therapy lasers are safe and effective treatment options to reduce musculoskeletal pain due to injury. The biggest risk to injury during laser therapy treatments is to the eye, which is why certified, protective eyewear is always required during LightForce® treatments.

• How long does a therapy session last?

  • With LightForce® lasers, treatments are quick usually 5-10 minutes depending on the size, depth, and acuteness of the condition being treated. High-power lasers are able to deliver a lot of energy in a small amount of time, allowing therapeutic dosages to be achieved quickly. For patients and clinicians with packed schedules, fast and effective treatments are a must. 

• How often will I need to get treated with laser therapy?

  • Most clinicians will encourage their patients to receive 2-3 treatments per week as the therapy is initiated. There is a well-documented support that the benefits of laser therapy are cumulative, suggesting that plans for incorporating laser as part of a patient’s plan of care should involve early, frequent treatments that may be administered less frequently as the symptoms resolve.

• How many treatment sessions will I need?

  • The nature of the condition and the patient’s response to the treatments will play a key role in determining how many treatments will be needed. Most laser therapy care plans will involve 6-12 treatments, with more treatment needed for longer standing, chronic conditions. Your doctor will develop a treatment plan that is optimal for your condition.