erchonia evrl

Some exciting new things are happening over at Up North Wellness. As a chiropractor I have to complete continuing education hours biennially. The topics range from adjusting extremities (wrists, ankles, knees, etc.), to documentation, to more exciting topics related to natural healing methods. This fall I attended a seminar in Minnesota centered on neurology and low level laser therapy in relation to health conditions such as concussions and Alzheimer’s. 

When it comes to healing, traditionally we rely on chemical responses which are achieved by taking different medications. Prescription medications tend to create other side effects in our bodies. On the other hand, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a specialized photochemical treatment that is in high demand these days. More people are searching for health related answers with little to no side-effects. As a result, LLLT has been one of the more heavily researched topics in the past 10 years. The light emitted from these lasers penetrate up to 3 inches into the body and cause a photochemical response within the nucleus of the body’s cells to promote healing. A photochemical response many of us learned about in elementary school is photosynthesis. Plants absorb light from the sun which the plant cells convert into energy to make food to grow. The same can be said about LLLT and humans. Our cells absorb the specific wavelength of light from the laser so that our body (specifically mitochondria) make ATP (energy) to accelerate wound healing, encourage tissue regeneration, increase circulation, reduce inflammation, and decrease pain. 

Low level laser therapy can contain red and violet lasers of very specific wavelengths. After sitting in this seminar, I was convinced that the Land O’ Lakes community can definitely benefit from LLLT and added an Erchonia EVRL red and violet laser to Up North Wellness’s list of services. Erchonia’s research has found that 635 nanometer (nm) red lasers are the ‘therapeutic sweet spot’ for treatment of pain and inflammation. LLLT using red spectrum light can be applied to musculoskeletal conditions such as neck and back pain as well as nerve pain, headaches, plantar fasciitis, trauma, and concussions. The violet lasers are 405 nm lasers and have been found to inactivate microorganisms. Erchonia’s violet laser has been proven as an effective antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal treatment. Conditions such as acne, strep throat, sinus infections, bug and animal bites, lyme affected joints, eczema, shingles, and scars have successfully been treated with 405 nm lasers. The combination of the red and the violet lasers is the home run of low level laser therapy incorporating treatment of pain and inflammation with that of inactivation of microorganisms. 

When it comes to laser therapy, there are lasers ranging from class 1 to class 4. Erchonia’s EVRL lasers have no negative side effects since they are low level, class 2 lasers. Since the lasers have no harmful side effects, they can be used over areas of the body which, in the past, we had very little ability to treat simply by stimulating the body to work efficiently. An example of this would be surgically replaced joints which are painful, inflamed or injured. Laser treatments can decrease pain and decrease inflammation and in doing so help to increase and restore motion. We have seen terrific changes in post-surgical scars using both lasers. Healing times decrease and pain is alleviated. 

Some patients report that they can feel the laser treatment. The most common report is the feeling of waves of movement in the area of the body being treated which isn’t painful. Others say that they feel a cold or a warm sensation in the treatment area as the cellular energy increases. When treating the brain, patients frequently report feelings of calm relaxation.
 
Many patients can feel changes in their conditions after the first treatment but clinical studies generally recommend a trial of a few sessions as laser therapy effectiveness builds with each session. New injuries or acute conditions respond quickly to the photochemical treatments. Those with more longstanding conditions that have affected them for years can expect to require more laser treatments to see changes. Generally within 6-10 ten minute treatments, patients with chronic conditions are seeing improvement. 

Erchonia is the first low level laser company to have FDA Clearances with Level One Studies which are the Gold Standards of Research. They currently have over 20 FDA Clearances and are working on studies supporting laser treatment for Alzheimers, Autism, Psoriasis, Diabetic Neuropathy, Parkinson’s Disease and more. The more I delve into the research of LLLT the more excited I am to be able to provide this service to my family and community. ​