Questions You Are Thinking But Might Be Afraid to Ask About Laser Therapy

People ask me some great questions about laser therapy.

They also sometimes ask a question and then immediately say, “This is probably a stupid question...”

It usually isn't.

Honestly, I get it. If someone had told me years ago that I'd eventually own a Class IV laser and spend my days treating people with it, I would have thought that sounded pretty far-fetched.

Remember, I discovered laser therapy because of my dog.

I was skeptical enough when her surgeon recommended it that I wondered whether it was just one more thing being added to an already expensive surgery.

So if you're skeptical, you're not going to offend me. I totally understand and respect that.

Here are some of the questions people ask—or sometimes look like they want to ask.

Is This Really Legitimate, or Is It Basically an Expensive Red Light?

Let's just get that one out of the way. 😂

Yes, laser therapy is legitimate. And yes, it uses light. And that light is red.

But that doesn't mean every device that produces red light is doing the same thing.

A laser that cost tens of thousands of dollars is going to provide therapy, while a $300 Amazon device is going to… Well, I think you know the old saying - you get what you pay for!

This is actually one of the reasons I wrote my earlier blog about how not all lasers are created equal.

The wavelengths matter. Power matters. Dose matters. And how the treatment is delivered matters.

I use a Class IV K-Laser in my clinic. It's very different from buying a red light device online and pointing it at your knee.

That doesn't mean red light therapy is useless. It just means they are not the same treatment.

If This Works, Why Hasn't My Doctor Told Me About It?

Great question!

And I wondered about this myself.

Some doctors and physical therapists know quite a bit about laser therapy. Others don't use it in their practices and may have very little experience with it.

Veterinarians, interestingly enough, seem to have embraced therapeutic laser for quite a while—which is how I stumbled onto it in the first place.

I don't think that means your doctor is withholding some secret treatment from you. It simply isn't something every provider uses. Also, since laser therapy is not covered by insurance, they may not be suggesting it to help save you money.

I also don't think laser should replace good medical care.

Sometimes I tell someone that I think they need to go back to their doctor, get something evaluated, or try a different treatment entirely. I often suggest people also talk to their PT. If they don’t have a PT, I have a few that I personally refer to. It is easier knowing what is causing the pain so I know exactly where to laser. Many people don’t want to see their doctor, so I help them the best I can by listening to what has been hurting them.

Owning a laser doesn't mean I think everything needs laser.

Does It Hurt?

This one is easy.

No.

Most people feel warmth while I'm treating them. If they are numb from nerve pain, they might not feel anything at all.

That's about it.

Occasionally someone looks at me afterward and says something along the lines of:

“That's all you do?”

Pretty much.

No needles. No electrical stimulation. No gritting your teeth while I tell you, “This is good for you.”

You basically lie or sit there while I move the laser over the area we're treating.

Can You Burn Me With That Thing?

Okay, technically I'm using a powerful Class IV laser, so this is actually a very reasonable question.

That's also why I don't just hand you the laser and say, “Here, point this where it hurts.”

I control the settings, keep the handpiece moving appropriately, and pay attention to what you're feeling.

You should feel warmth.

You should not feel like you're being cooked.

If something feels too warm, you tell me.

Simple.

Do I Really Have to Wear Those Green Goggles?

Yes.

Sorry. 😂

They're there to protect our eyes from the laser light.

Are they attractive?

Actually, most people really like them and often walk out the door without realizing they have them on. I have one pair that makes you look like your skiing the slopes.

Are they necessary?

Absolutely.

So If Your Laser Is Powerful, More Power Must Be Better...Right?

Nope.

I hear versions of this one too.

The fact that my K-Laser can produce considerable power is useful because it gives me the ability to deliver the amount of energy I want efficiently.

But my goal isn't to see how high I can turn up the machine.

More isn't always better.

The right amount is better.

I change settings depending on what I'm treating, where I'm treating, and what's going on with the person in front of me.

That's one of the things I like about the K-Laser.

Are You Going to Tell Me I Need 20 Treatments?

No!

And if you've read any of my other blogs, you probably already know how I feel about this.

I'm watching to see whether you're getting better.

Sometimes people respond quickly. Sometimes it takes longer.

But if you're coming in over and over and we're not seeing the kind of progress I think we should be seeing, I don't want to just keep doing the same thing.

I may change what I'm doing.

I may suggest another modality.

I may tell you I think you need to talk with your doctor.

And sometimes I may tell you that I don't think spending more money on laser treatments makes sense.

I'd rather lose the sale than keep treating someone just because I can.

What If It Doesn't Work for Me?

Then it doesn't.

I know that probably isn't the greatest marketing statement ever written.

But it's true.

Laser therapy doesn't work for everyone.

Neither does physical therapy. Neither do injections. Neither does surgery. Bodies and conditions are different.

I've seen some pretty remarkable responses to laser therapy. I've also had people who didn't respond the way either of us hoped.

I’ve kept track over the years and I can say with confidence that about 5% of my patients did not progress with reducing pain or increasing range-of-motion. I tried and they committed their time and money. I feel bad that I couldn’t help them - truly. A few of those people ended up getting imaging later and after hearing what was causing their pain, the only solution was surgery.

For the other 95% who had less pain and/or better range-of-motion, they are thrilled!

Those folks send their friends in and are rewarded with complimentary treatments when they do. Everyone wins!

I can't promise which one you're going to be, but the odds are pretty darn good in your favor!

What I can do is pay attention.

Are you hurting less?

Are you moving better?

Are you sleeping better?

Can you do something this week that you couldn't comfortably do last week?

That's what I care about.

And Then There's the Dog Question...

Every once in a while, someone tells me their dog gets laser treatments at the veterinarian.

And I have to laugh.

Because that's exactly where all of this started for me.

My dog had two surgeries, years apart, and two different surgeons recommended laser therapy afterward.

I thought it sounded questionable.

But I loved my dog, so I took her.

By pure coincidence, the same laser technician treated her after both surgeries. I asked that poor woman question after question.

Eventually I asked:

“Why don't they do this for people?”

She looked at me and essentially said:

They do.

Well...

That sent me down quite a rabbit hole.

I started researching. I learned about different lasers. I learned that some of the equipment being used was much more sophisticated than I had realized. Research can be very time consuming, but I found it fascinating.

And somewhere along the way, the skeptic sitting beside her dog during laser treatments ended up owning Laser Therapy of Oregon.

I certainly didn't see that coming.

Can I buy one of these lasers?

I explain that a Class IV Laser is a medical device and as such are only sold to practitioners.

One guy pushed the issue and then asked me if they will kill ants. I realized he was serious, so I paused and then responded “and that is why they don’t sell these to the public!” He laughed, but I’m not sure he thought I was funny.

So Ask Me

If you're skeptical, good.

Ask questions.

Ask me how the laser works. Ask why I'm using a particular setting. Ask what I realistically think it can do for you. Ask what happens if it doesn't work.

You don't need to believe in laser therapy before you come through my door. I didn't either.

Some of my biggest fans were the most skeptical in the beginning. However you arrive at my clinic, you are all welcome. I do the best job I possibly can and get wonderful results most of the time. That is why I keep doing it day after day. Success stories change lives and I like to be a part of that.

Read some of my many 5 star reviews and you will see a positive trend…