Are there any side effects or associated risks?
During more than 30 years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have ever been reported. If a patient is allergic to light, or taking medications that could cause skin sensitivity to light, then they may develop a rash.
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Are there any health or medical conditions that would make laser therapy an unsuitable treatment for me?
Yes, there are certain medical conditions where laser therapy should be given with special caution or not at all. Laser therapy should not be performed on you if you:
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are pregnant;
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have a known or suspected cancerous tumor or skin cancer;
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are taking certain medications that can cause photosensitivity, such as some antibiotics (e.g., tetracycline), Retin-A, St. John’s Wort, some thyroid medications, or any medication with a warning to avoid bright sunlight;
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have received steroid injections within two (2) weeks;
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have an active bacterial infection in an area where laser therapy will be used; or
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are taking immune-suppressant drugs, since light therapy can stimulate the immune system and possibly interfere with the medical treatment.
Laser therapy should be used with caution when treating over tattoos because dark-colored tattoos will absorb light and could become hot.
Laser therapy studies are inconclusive on the effects of the above situations. Not treating these particular high-risk conditions is a precautionary measure. Sexton Laser Therapy does not diagnose or treat illness or prescribe medication. Laser therapy is not intended to replace medical care. We recommend that you consult your physician for a professional diagnosis of your health.
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PAIN RELIEF
How does LLLT work for pain?
We use a low level laser (also known as a therapeutic or cold laser). Low-level lasers do not damage tissue and do not transfer heat. They work by passing a beam of light below the skin and stimulating the natural healing processes of the body’s cells. The energy produced stimulates the production of collagen and ATP (a DNA-related enzyme that serves as a source of energy to cells), promotes blood circulation, regenerates nerves, and boosts the release of growth factors.
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Can it be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment?
Yes, laser therapy is often used with other forms of pain management therapy, including physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, massage, soft tissue mobilization, electrotherapy and following surgery. Please consult your physician before combining any therapies.
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Will the treatment hurt?
No. LLLT is completely painless. There is little or no sensation during treatment. Some people feel a mild, soothing warmth or tingling. In fact, most people describe an extremely relaxed feeling after being treated.
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How many treatments do I need?
The number of treatments depends upon your individual condition. In some conditions, such as tendonitis, pain may be completely eliminated after one treatment. Like other treatment protocols, studies have shown that individual responses to pain treatment appear to depend on attitude, activity level, age, diet, pain tolerance/sensitivity, etc.
How much does it cost?
$65 for each treatment.
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Does Insurance cover the cost?
Like most new medical protocols, we have found that some insurance companies do not cover the cost of the treatment at this time. But some do, and MEDICARE might, as well. Since the cost of treatment is relatively low, we request payment at the time of treatment, and we will provide you with necessary documentation to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
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How long does the treatment take?
Your first visit will include a personal consultation, so you should allow 30 minutes for that appointment. The following treatments will take 15 minutes or less each.
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How will I feel after the treatment, and can I drive home?
Yes, you can drive home. You will be able to go back to your normal activities, and will most likely notice a reduction or complete absence of pain.
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Is it medically approved?
Yes. The FDA has approved the use of low level laser therapy for the management of pain.
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Can anyone administer Low Level Laser Therapy for pain management?
No. Sexton Laser Therapy staff has obtained certification to operate in the US under FDA regulations governing Class IIIB lasers for pain management. Our therapists are trained and certified.
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Is it guaranteed?
No. Chronic and acute pain are extremely complicated and everyone deals with it differently. Motivation and commitment levels vary, as well. Because of this, there are no guarantees in any pain management program. We do believe, however, that given over 30 years of use and study, laser therapy is among the more effective methods of managing pain. While we cannot eliminate all types of pain, most musculoskeletal pain can be alleviated. Therefore, while we cannot make a guarantee, we will do everything in our power to ensure your success. Laser treatment with education and your commitment to follow treatment guidelines is what it is all about.
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QUIT SMOKING
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What if I am addicted to a tobacco product other than cigarettes?
The LLLT smoking cessation therapy is intended for all forms of tobacco addiction.
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What does the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy entail?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy will give you helpful tips to handle cravings and habits that help put you in control when dealing with your smoking habit.
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How does LLLT work for smoking cessation?
We use a low level laser (also known as a therapeutic or cold laser). It works along the same principle as acupuncture, stimulating specific spots with an infrared light beam, instead of needles. It is a very relaxing and pleasant treatment.
Endorphins such as serotonin and dopamine are produced naturally by your body. Endorphins act as mood lifters and anesthetics. When you smoke, nicotine stimulates the release of endorphins. This makes the act of smoking pleasurable and relaxing. However, when smoking stops, the sudden drop in endorphin levels leads to withdrawal symptoms and physical addiction. The laser light stimulates acupuncture points, which in turn stimulate a release of endorphins relieving the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Cold laser therapy reduces the cravings and stress, restoring balance to your body--the need for cigarettes is eliminated.
We work on three different areas with the treatment. First, we treat points for the addiction to nicotine, to help block your body's need for that drug; second, we treat diet points to help control your appetite and avoid weight gain; and third, we treat several stress and relaxation points to help avoid the withdrawal symptoms that you would normally experience if you tried to quit on your own, such as irritability, short temper, etc. We try to take away all of the negative feelings and make it a smooth transition for you.
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Can I use Nicotine Replacement Therapy during Low Level Laser Therapy?
No, nicotine from gum, patches or other sources will block the endorphin production that is the goal of the LLLT. No nicotine may be used during treatment, and craving for nicotine in the future will be blocked by the stimulated endorphin production.
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Will the treatment hurt?
No. LLLT is completely painless. There is little or no sensation during treatment. Some people feel a mild, soothing warmth or tingling. In fact, most people describe an extremely relaxed feeling after being treated.
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How many treatments do I need?
Studies have shown that people who are treated three times have a much higher rate of stopping, with fewer withdrawal symptoms.
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How much does it cost?
$295 for up to four treatments. The average pack-a-day smoker spends $1500-$1800 a year on cigarettes. The cost of this treatment is not even one third of this amount.
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Does Insurance cover the cost?
We have found that most insurance companies do not cover the cost of the treatment at this time.
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How long does the treatment take?
Your first visit will include a personal consultation, so you should allow 1 hour for that appointment. The following two treatments will take approximately 30 minutes each. If needed, we offer a free "booster" at 8 weeks.
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What points on my body are used for laser smoking cessation?
The meridian acupuncture points are located on the hands, ears and face. Each patient is custom-treated according to his or her specific and unique diagnosis. Usually a combination of hand, forearm, wrist, nose and ear acupuncture points are used that are believed to influence the organs and energetic pathways associated with smoking, addiction, weight management and hunger control.
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Should I do anything prior to coming to the appointment?
The day of your appointment is the day when you have decided to make a 100% commitment to quit smoking. We recommend that you do not smoke the day that you decide to quit, and drink at least one bottle of water prior to your appointment. It is also a good idea to decrease your caffeine intake for 3-5 days before initial treatment.
It would be wise to have a medical checkup to identify any condition that might be a contraindication for LLLT, such as a risk of photosensitivity.
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How will I feel after the treatment, and can I drive home?
Yes, you can drive home. Some people might feel a little light-headed immediately after treatment, but it passes in a few minutes. You will be able to go back to your normal activities, and will notice an absence of withdrawal symptoms and physical cravings.
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How long do the effects last?
Between 1½ and 2 days. The relaxing effect is a little different for everyone, however, you should feel no cravings for nicotine immediately following the treatment.
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Is it medically approved?
The FDA is currently studying the effectiveness of low level lasers for treating nicotine addiction. There are several ongoing clinical trials of LLLT for a number of conditions. The clinical trials will also be used to develop treatment protocols. We are part of a clinical research trial that allows us to work to develop treatment protocols for the device for nicotine addiction.
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Can anyone administer Low Level Laser Therapy for smoking cessation?
No. Sexton Laser Therapy staff has obtained authorization through an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to operate in the US under FDA investigational clinical trials for smoking cessation treatment. Our therapists are trained and certified as part of our inclusion in the research.
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Is it guaranteed?
No. Smoking is an extremely complicated addiction and everyone deals with the addiction and quitting differently. Motivation and commitment levels vary, as well. Because of this, there are no guarantees in any smoking cessation program. We do believe, however, that given a serious level of commitment to quitting, laser therapy is among the more effective methods of smoking cessation. Nicotine addiction consists of two factors: the physical addiction and the mental addiction. The laser treatment is designed to relieve the physical withdrawal symptoms, but you will still think about smoking. If you have been a smoker for over a year, you will be making a huge change to your daily routine when you quit. We are specially trained to help you eliminate your emotional desire to smoke and will give you nutritional guidelines to improve your overall health. Therefore, while we cannot make a guarantee, we will do everything in our power to ensure your success. Laser treatment with education and your commitment are what it is all about.
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LOSE WEIGHT
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What weight loss treatment will I receive at Sexton Laser Therapy?
Your treatment will be the combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Low Level Laser Therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you with the psychological side of the weight loss process while the low level laser biostimulation therapy helps with the physical cravings and anxiety. The combination of the two therapies will help make losing weight easier.
What does the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy entail?
The laser therapy is designed to be complementary to your own diet and exercise program. While we do not recommend a particular diet, the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy will give you helpful tips to handle cravings and habits that help put you in control when dealing with your eating habits.
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How does LLLT work fir weight loss?
We use a low-level laser (also known as a therapeutic or cold laser). It works along the same principle as acupuncture, stimulating specific spots with an infrared light beam, instead of needles. It is a very relaxing and pleasant treatment. Endorphins such as serotonin and dopamine are produced naturally by your body. Endorphins act as mood lifters and anesthetics. When you eat, food stimulates the release of endorphins. This makes the act of eating pleasurable and relaxing. However, when the amounts of food are reduced, the sudden drop in endorphin levels leads to cravings. The laser light stimulates acupuncture points, which in turn stimulate a release of endorphins, relieving the physical symptoms of reduced food intake. LLLT reduces the cravings and stress, restoring balance to your body--the need for food is reduced.
We work on two different areas with the treatment. First, we treat points to help control your appetite, and second, we treat several stress and relaxation points to help avoid the physical craving and other symptoms that you would normally experience if you tried to lose weight on your own, such as irritability, short temper, etc. We try to take away all of the negative feelings and make it a smooth transition for you.
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Can I use diet drugs during Low Level Laser Therapy?
No, diet drugs may block the endorphin production that is the goal of the LLLT. Cravings for food in the future will be blocked by the stimulated endorphin production.
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Will the treatment hurt?
No. LLLT is completely painless. There is little or no sensation during treatment. Some people feel a mild, soothing warmth or tingling. In fact, most people describe an extremely relaxed feeling after being treated.
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How many treatments do I need?
Studies have shown that people who are treated four times, over a period of 1 month, have a much higher rate of weight loss, with fewer side effects.
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How much does it cost?
$295 for four treatments.
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Does Insurance cover the cost?
We have found that most insurance companies do not cover the cost of the treatment at this time.
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How long does the treatment take?
Your first visit will include a personal consultation, so you should allow 1 hour for that appointment. The following two treatments will take approximately 30 minutes each. If needed, we offer a free "booster" at 6 weeks.
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What points on my body are used for laser weight loss?
The meridian acupuncture points are located on the hands, ears and face. Usually a combination of hand, forearm, wrist, nose and ear acupuncture points are used that are believed to influence the organs and energetic pathways associated with addiction, weight management and hunger control.
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Should I do anything prior to coming to the appointment?
The day of your appointment is the day when you have decided to make a 100% commitment to lose weight. We recommend that you begin a low-calorie, low-fat diet program the day of your first appointment and drink at least one bottle of water prior to you appointment. It would be wise to have a medical checkup to identify any condition that might be a contraindication for LLLT, such as a risk of photosensitivity.
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How will I feel after the treatment, and can I drive home?
Yes, you can drive home. Some people might feel a little light-headed immediately after treatment, but it passes in a few minutes. You will be able to go back to your normal activities, and will notice an absence of physical cravings.
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How long do the effects last?
Between 2 and 7 days. The relaxing effect is a little different for everyone, however, you should feel no cravings for food immediately following the treatment.
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Is it medically approved?
The FDA is currently studying the effectiveness of low level lasers for treating food addiction. There are several ongoing clinical trials of LLLT for a number of conditions. The clinical trials will also be used to develop treatment protocols. We are part of a clinical research trial that allows us to work to develop treatment protocols for the device for food addiction.
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Can anyone administer Low Level Laser Therapy for weight loss?
No. Sexton Laser Therapy staff has obtained authorization through an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to operate in the US under FDA investigational clinical trials for weight loss treatment. Our therapists are trained and certified as part of our inclusion in the research.
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Is it guaranteed?
No. Food is an extremely complicated addiction and everyone deals with the addiction differently. Motivation and commitment levels vary, as well. Because of this, there are no guarantees in any weight loss program. We do believe, however, that given a serious level of commitment to losing weight, laser therapy is among the more effective methods of weight loss. Food addiction consists of two factors: the physical addiction and the mental addiction. The laser treatment is designed to relieve the physical craving symptoms, but you will still think about eating. If you have been an overeater for over a year, you will be making a huge change to your daily routine when you reduce your food intake. We are specially trained to help you eliminate your emotional desire to eat and will give you nutritional guidelines to improve your overall health. Therefore, while we cannot make a guarantee, we will do everything in our power to ensure your success. Laser treatment with education and your commitment are what it is all about.
