NIR class 4 laser therapy speeds healing and reduces pain /inflammation

LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

What is NIR class 4 laser therapy?

A red/near infrared (NIR) frequency of light  (~700-1000 nanometers) is applied via a class 4 laser to problem areas of the body at an appropriate dosage and power level.    SImilar to Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT, aka cold laser therapy), this therapy is also referred to as photobiomodulation, whereby laser energy is absorbed by specific chromophores in the body:

The overall functional effects are improved cellular function, increased cell growth, and repair/production of  enzymes, proteins, immunoglobulins and DNA/RNA.  In contrast to LLLT, the higher wattage utilized in class 4 laser therapy also produces a mild photothermal effect, which aids vasodilation, muscle relaxation and nerve conduction.

Infrared Class 4 laser therapy produces biomodulating reactions that can very effectively:

•  Reduce pain

•  Reduce inflammation

•  Enhance tissue healing (in hard and soft tissues, incl. muscles, ligaments, bones)

What defines a class 4 laser?

By definition a class 4 laser must be able to deliver power of at least ½ a watt (i.e. 500 milliwatts). Unfortunately this category does not distinguish between the different power levels required for cosmetic / hair-removal use, healing, surgical lasers or even military lasers (capable of shooting down a satellite!).

The Class 4 laser is more powerful than low level laser (or light) therapy (LLLT) devices.  This extra power enables class 4 lasers to penetrate deeper into the body to reach muscles, and areas such as spine and hip. In contrast to high powered lasers, LLLT does not produce a photothermal effect, which can damage tissue.   The typical power level employed in class 4 lasers used for healing is around 5-8 watts, compared to 1mW- 1 watt for LLLT.

-   Minimum power requirement of LLLT class 3a, 3b lasers:

•  Class 3a lasers require a minimum 5 milliwatts

•  Class 3b lasers range from 5 - 500 milliwatts

Most common class 4 therapy uses a gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlA) semiconductor diode to produce an infrared laser beam.    A diode may produce either a continuous wave or pulsed frequencies of 2-10,000 Hz. Infrared beams are carried by a fiber optic cable and naturally diffuse (not focussed) to a 10-12° angle to produce beam diameter sizes of 10-25mm (this produces a spot treatment area of 0.8 - 5cm²). Power densities are typically in the 0.4 - 3 W/cm² range. Primary inteactions with tissue reach a depth of ~4 centimeters; secondary and tertiary photon effects on tissue and body systems are seen at greater depths. Pulsed frequencies typically have a 50% duty cycle (meaning the pulse is active half the time between pulses).

Effects of laser photon beam

Infrared class 4 lasers were FDA-approved in 2005 as medical therapy devices (class 3 lasers were FDA-approved in 2002):

•   However, the FDA consider them only as an infrared heating lamp.   The FDA does not recognize the bio-stimulatory effects of the laser; interestingly,  Europe has been researching and recognizing the benefits of using lasers for therapy for over 3 decades;

•   Infrared class 4 lasers are prescription medical devices available for sale and use only to health professionals.  These are then trained by the manufacturer in their use. The U.S. has many class 4 laser therapy providers across the country.  Treatment cost (~$50 -75 / treatment) is not usually covered by insurance.

How to obtain class 4 laser treatment

Some class 4 lasers
	Brand	Specs. (CW=continuous wave)	Cost
	K-laser (still available, but no longer produced).	K-800.  0.1 - 8 watts K-1200.   0.1 - 12 watts CUBE-4.   0.1 - 15.0 watts (CW) & 20 watts peak / av. 12 watts pulse
	Summus lasers (K-laser rebranded in 2019)	P-4.  0.5-24 watts in continuous mode or 28 watts peak / av. 15 watts pulse.         4 wavelengths (650nm, 810nm, 915nm and 980nm); P-3.   Up to 18 watts;  3 wavelengths (650nm, 810nm, 915nm), H1.  15 watts; 3 wavelengths (650nm, 810nm, 915nm); 1-20,000Hz pulse;         Lenses: 50mm broadbeam, 25mm zoom
	Eltech Klaser Cube 4 plus by Chattanooga (Made in Italy	12-15 watts 4 wavelengths (660nm, 800nm, 905nm, 970 nm) Intense Super Pulse (ISP) & CW	~$20-28k
	EVOlaser	9 - 20 watts  Up to 4 Wavelengths  Pulse & CW	~$10-15k
	Pilot Laser	9 watts 810nm Pulse & CW	~$8k
	Apollo Laser	.5 - 5 watt 810nm CW	$5k and up

References

Dr. Mercola (www.mercola.com) interview with Dr. Phil Harrington,a chiropractic physician who was involved in the development of the K-laser