Issue 11 - September 2003

Lasers: Lighting up chiropractic care
Europeans know it. Athletes are amazed by it. And professional
trainers are quickly accepting it. The “it” is laser therapy.
By George Gonzalez, DC

Laser therapy, which has been around since the 1960s, is used for all aspects of physical medicine, wound healing and rehabilitation. It has become a locker room staple for European sports teams and is slowly working its way into chiropractic offices in the United States, as the Food and Drug Administration approves the devices for specific musculoskeletal disorders.

The lasers that are commonly used are called “cold lasers” or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) because they do not increase the temperature of the tissues that they contact.

Laser therapy directs a beam of light to the injury site. On a cellular level this increases local circulation, improves tissue oxygenation and stimulates the production of ATP, allowing tissue to be more responsive and heal faster. On a larger scale, laser therapy quickly decreases pain, increases range of motion and increases the tissue’s ability to handle stress.

More than results
Laser therapy is exciting for doctors not only for the results it delivers to patients, but also for the benefits it gives to doctors. These benefits include:

• More referrals. Because it is fast and effective, patients talk about it.

• Easy to use. Simply turn the laser on and move it over the area of complaint. Research has shown that this protocol alone increases healing time up to 30 percent.

• Time saving. Patients often feel better within 30 seconds.

• Effective. LLLT improves healing time, increases range of motion and decreases pain.

• ‘Body saver’. The laser prepares the patient for treatment. It quickly softens tissue and increases range of motion, so you won’t have to work as hard.

Cost of investment
Low-level lasers vary in price from a few hundred dollars to as much as $40,000. The lower-cost equipment is ideal for in-home users. Lightweight, portable lasers manufactured for professional use are priced between $5,000 and $10,000.
High-end lasers ($20,000 and up) are usually stationary and require the patient to be seated or lie down as the laser is positioned for treatment.

Choosing the best laser
Every laser product has its advantages and disadvantages. As you select a laser, consider:

• Affordability. Consider purchasing a lower-cost laser and later upgrading as you gain confidence and see results.

• Your practice style and office accommodations. A practitioner who would incorporate laser therapy for neuro-rehabilitation, myofascial release and therapeutic exercises would benefit from a hand-held laser. But a doctor who has a room to dedicate to laser therapy might select a stationary model.

• Training. Investigate the cost and frequency of advanced training programs to gain additional skill.

Marketing your lasers
Because lasers speak for themselves — through patients who have experienced their healing effects — the key to promoting laser services is to get the word out. To do this:

• Network. Share stories of the results that you have seen and experienced.

• Tell active patients. Describe the effects of laser therapy, not its science. Make your explanation simple enough for the patient to repeat to their family and friends.

• Ask for referrals. As your patients get results, ask them if they know anyone that has been injured and wants to heal faster or to recover from a traumatic sports injury or auto accident.

• Inform inactive patients. Send them a letter explaining your new laser service and invite them in for a demonstration.

• Treat a local sports team. Provide laser therapy to your local high school or college team. Athletes will tout the treatment and their families will follow them to your office.

For more information from an independent resource on cold laser therapy, including more than 200 research abstracts, go to www.laser.nu, the Web site sponsored by the Swedish Medical Society.

Dr. George Gonzalez, a Los Angeles practitioner, teaches doctors the systematic evaluation and correction of the nervous system using cold laser therapy and chiropractic, using the Quantum IV laser. He can be contacted by calling 323-653-2818 or by visiting his website at www.GeorgeGonzalez.com.