Frequently Asked Questions

Is laser therapy painful?

No, our cold laser emits light 8.5” deep into your tissue. The skin and surrounding tissue won’t be compromised in any way. There is no heat, burning, or other potential discomfort involved with laser therapy.

What can I expect from my first appointment?

The first step of the appointment will be to discuss your pain issue with Fred. He will then place an LED array directly on the on the affected area. The LED will first transmit red light, then it will switch over to infrared light to saturate the tissue with light energy. After the LED array has completed its course, Fred will target specific areas with his cold laser.

Will laser therapy help if I have post-surgical pain?

Yes! Laser therapy will reduce inflammation, increase circulation, decrease scar tissue, decrease swelling, promote collagen and stem cell production, which will increase your rate of healing. Laser therapy also boosts immune response which will help reduce your risk of post-surgical infection.

Will laser therapy help heal scar tissue?

Yes! Laser therapy reduces scar tissue, and it helps to integrate it in your surrounding healthy tissue.

How many appointments will I need?

Multiple treatments are required to receive maximum benefit. Very few patients will have lasting benefit after only one treatment. Continuing therapy until your pain is eliminated will often have very long lasting or even permanent effects.
Treatments should also be done in a fairly short time frame. Every day is ideal. If laser therapy treatments are sporadic, then the healing effect will diminish with time. Most conditions require a minimum of three treatments to see lasting pain relief.
People who have had pain for a shorter period of time will typically require fewer treatments (up to 3 sessions). If someone has had chronic pain (longer 3 months), then a minimum of 5 sessions will be required for lasting results.
Another FAQ, “How can I get the most out of my laser therapy sessions?”, addresses ways to maximize the benefits and potentially reduce the number of sessions required.

How can I get the most out of my laser therapy sessions?

It is recommended that you take Vitamin C 500 mg by mouth in the morning and evening every day. If you have loose stools after taking Vitamin C you should decrease the amount of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Check with your primary care doctor if you have any concerns about this. If you take any of the following drugs you must check with your doctor first: Chemotherapy, Estrogen, Protease inhibitors (antiviral drugs), Statins (cholesterol meds), and Warfarin (blood thinner).
If possible, icing the affected area for 30 min. before and after treatment is recommended.
Massage of the affected area is recommended.
When you start to feel better, be careful not to increase your activity too fast. Take things slow, your body needs time to heal.
Remember to stay hydrated as the joints and muscles rely on good hydration to function best and with the least pain. Especially hydrate around treatments.
The Carroll Method Food Intolerance Assessment is another means of reducing inflammation and speeding up healing. This assessment is available with Dr. Sexton at Compass Naturopathic Health Clinic, compasshealthclinic.com

Are there any restrictions to laser therapy?

Laser therapy isn’t recommended for pregnant patients in areas surrounding the uterus, ie hip, mid to lower back, abdomen, or ribs. Laser therapy also isn’t recommended for cancerous tissue. The effects of laser therapy on cancer cells are still being researched.

Will there be any downtime or side effects after having laser therapy?

Rarely an increase in pain may occur after laser treatment. If this happens it is recommended to ice the affected area 30 min. on and 30 min. off. Also take Ibuprofen if you’re not allergic. IbuActin is an herbal alternative to Ibuprofen if you prefer. Let the laser therapist know about your increase in pain, so the intensity of the next treatment can be adjusted.

What body parts can be healed with laser therapy?

All of them, although we cannot laser directly on the eyeball. Also, note there are restrictions to cancer patients and pregnant patients. Other than that, we can laser anything! Back, elbow, wrist, shoulder, leg, wounds, knees, ankles, neck, fingers, stomach, uterus, etc.

What types of pain can be healed with laser therapy?

Migraines, back pain, IBS, neuropathies, carpel tunnel, nerve pain, muscle pain, sprains, broken bones, bruises, ligament tears, tendon tears, bulging discs, degenerative discs, arthritis, spinal stenosis, plantar fasciitis, trigeminal neuralgia, torn rotator cuff, painful menstruation, and workout recovery.

Is laser therapy expensive?

No, we keep our costs as low as possible and pass that savings on to you. Smaller body parts (ie wrist, foot, knee, elbow, neck, shoulder, etc) are $50/session. Larger body areas (ie hip, lower back) are $100/session

What payment methods do you accept?

Why don’t you take insurance?

We don’t take insurance so we can keep your cost as low as possible. If we took insurance, we would still have to collect a copay, which oftentimes is equal to what our laser therapy costs. Many insurances also require you to meet a deductible before they cover any therapy. If we took insurance, we would also have to hire support staff to negotiate reimbursement from the insurance companies as well, which would increase our operating costs, which would also mean higher priced laser therapy.