Laser therapies have emerged as versatile modern tools for managing pain and inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Class IV and cold laser therapies are effective, non-invasive, and drug-free treatments that utilize photobiomodulation to stimulate cellular healing. However, the two types differ significantly in their power levels, penetration depth, and therapeutic applications.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial for determining the most suitable treatment for acute injuries, chronic pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Let’s explore these differences to help you decide which treatment modality might work best for your clinic and patients.
What Is Class IV Laser Therapy?
Class 4 lasers are a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that uses near-infrared wavelengths of light to treat pain and inflammation and promote healing in soft tissues, joints, muscles, bones, and nerves.
A handheld applicator is directed at the skin, allowing the light to penetrate the skin to the soft and hard tissues below. There, photobiomodulation occurs when the light is absorbed by the body’s cells, producing numerous benefits at the cellular level. It increases the production of ATP energy in the mitochondria of dormant cells, enhancing cellular metabolism.
This decreases inflammation, allows for better absorption of nutrients, and reduces the presence of toxins. It also provides almost immediate pain relief due to the release of endorphins and cortisol and the presence of mild heat, which has a soothing effect on the muscles and soft tissues.
However, its most important effects are cumulative. Reducing pain and inflammation and stimulating healing at the cellular level means that it provides temporary relief and long-lasting regenerative healing that can significantly speed recovery after injuries and surgeries or provide long-term relief from chronic pain conditions.
How Does Class IV Laser Therapy Differ From Cold Laser Therapy?
Power
Class 4 is a high-intensity laser with a power level above 0.5W, with no upper limit. Cold methods are low-intensity lasers with power levels less than 0.5W. That difference in power can create significantly different results. For instance, studies found that 3W lasers were much more effective at stimulating circulation in soft tissues than both lower and higher powers.
The researchers found the lower powers of 1W were not strong enough to stimulate circulation. At the same time, the higher power level of 6W they tested may have been too strong and suppressed the vasodilatory effect.
Depth of Penetration
The specific wavelength used has a significant impact on penetration depth. Still, at comparable wavelengths, cold lasers only work well on superficial conditions since they can only penetrate 0.5cm into the body.
Class 4 lasers are also absorbed in the superficial layers of the skin due to tissue scattering and absorption by water. However, their higher power intensity enables them to penetrate at least 4 cm below the skin.
Treatment Times
Cold therapies generally involve more extended treatment times—often up to 30 minutes—depending on the condition being treated. On the other hand, most Class 4 treatments last between 2 and 10 minutes. This allows practitioners to treat multiple areas in a single appointment, speeding injury recovery time and improving overall patient outcomes.
Heat
Cold lasers naturally don’t produce heat. On the other hand, Class 4 lasers produce heat that is generally mild. The majority of patients find the mild warmth particularly soothing and providing some immediate relief from discomfort.
Side Effects
While side effects are minimal and rare, Class 4 treatments do involve heat, so there’s a small risk of heat damage in those with particularly sensitive skin or certain tattoos that may absorb more heat. Cold lasers produce no heat, eliminating that rare risk. Both treatments require caution to prevent direct exposure to the eyes, which could damage them.
Why Is Class IV Laser Therapy Often More Effective Than Cold Laser Therapy?
Class 4 lasers tend to be more effective than cold lasers because they use a higher-intensity power source that can penetrate deeper into the tissues to stimulate healing in soft tissues and bones that are not immediately next to the skin.
It also produces a comforting warmth in the soft tissues where it’s applied, which most patients find immediately soothing. This makes it a better treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions.
When To Choose Class IV Laser Therapy Over Cold Laser Therapy
Since Class 4 can penetrate deeper into the tissues and produce heat in the soft tissues, it’s better for conditions deeper in the body and those involving muscle pain since the heat has an immediate soothing effect. This also makes it better for treating more severe or chronic conditions.
On the other hand, cold lasers might be preferred in those rare instances where heat is a problem for patients—as long as the condition is close enough to the skin's surface for them to be effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Class IV Laser Therapy and Cold Laser Therapy Be Used Together?
Yes, they can be used together. Cold lasers work well for very superficial conditions, while Class IV works better at depth, so you can combine both modalities to treat patients with both superficial and deeper conditions. Both also work exceptionally well when used alongside conventional physical therapies like massage and chiropractic.
Final Thoughts
Class IV and cold laser therapies have unique strengths, but Class 4 proves much more effective for deeper, severe, and chronic conditions due to its higher intensity laters and soothing warmth. Cold lasers, however, can be a valuable option for superficial treatments or patients with particular sensitivities to heat.
Both approaches can be used individually, together, or alongside more traditional physical therapies to address a range of conditions. If you are ready to explore cutting-edge solutions for your practice, contact our professional staff at Maven Imaging for a quote on advanced Class IV laser therapy equipment. We’re available 24/7 to answer all your questions.
