Treatment Experience

Written By Valerie Krossin

Understanding what to expect helps patients and referring providers feel confident in the therapy. Class IV laser treatments are designed to be as straightforward and comfortable as possible.

What the Patient Experiences

  • Patients typically feel a gentle, soothing warmth at the treatment site — often described as deeply relaxing.

  • There is no pain, no needles, no burning, and no recovery downtime.

  • Patients remain fully clothed where possible; treated areas may require direct skin contact for optimal light delivery.

  • The session takes place in a standard clinical room with no special preparation needed.

  • Protective eyewear (wavelength-specific goggles) is provided and required for both patient and clinician throughout the session.

Session Duration

  • Individual treatment areas typically require 2-7 minutes of laser application.

  • Total session time, including setup and assessment, is generally 12-15 minutes.

  • The high power output of Class IV lasers enables delivery of a full therapeutic dose in this brief timeframe — a key advantage over low-power devices that may require 30–60 minute sessions.

Number of Treatments

  • Acute conditions (recent injuries, post-surgical): typically 6–10 sessions, often scheduled 2–3 times per week.

  • Chronic conditions (long-standing pain, arthritis, neuropathy): an initial series of 8–12 sessions is recommended, , often scheduled 2–3 times per week.

  • Many patients report meaningful improvement after just 1–2 treatments, with cumulative benefits building over the full course.

  • Ongoing maintenance therapy (monthly or as needed) may be recommended for chronic conditions.

Typical Post-Treatment Response

  • Most patients leave the session with no adverse effects; some report mild warmth or temporary redness at the treated site that resolves within hours.

  • A small number of patients — particularly those with significant inflammation — may notice a brief (24–48 hour) increase in sensitivity as tissue responds to treatment, which resolves spontaneously.

  • There is no required downtime; patients may resume normal activities immediately.

Workflow Summary

  • Patient completes intake / consent documentation

  • Treatment area is exposed; all reflective jewelry is removed

  • Patient and all personnel don certified protective eyewear

  • Technician selects pre-programmed condition-specific setting from the VLASER | 47W ELITE QUAD WAVE interface

  • Fiber optic handpiece is moved in a sweeping or circular motion over the treatment area for the prescribed duration

  • Session concludes; post-treatment instructions provided

  • Follow-up appointment scheduled

Valerie Krossin

As a nurse and educator with over 16 years of experience in the field of photobiomodulation (PBM), I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of this innovative therapy on pain, healing and sports recovery and performance enhancement. As the Educational Director and Senior Account Manager for industry leaders ASPEN Laser and TheraLight, I have been instrumental in forming strategic alliances with health professionals, businesses, individuals and professional and collegiate teams.

PBM harnesses the power of specific wavelengths of light, particularly in the red and near-infrared spectrum, to stimulate cellular processes such as ATP production, enhance mitochondrial function, reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, and modulate biological responses like gene expression and ion channel activity. These benefits make near-infrared light a versatile tool in PBM, with applications ranging from athlete recovery and performance improvement and pain management to potential treatments for complex neurological conditions.

My unique perspective, combining over two decades of nursing experience with expertise in cutting-edge PBM technology, has allowed me to bridge the gap between clinical practice and sports medicine. This is evident in my recent work, including an abstract accepted by the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) for E-Poster Presentation on Transcranial PBM for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

As the field of PBM continues to evolve, I remain committed to advancing its science and application in sports medicine. We are opening new frontiers in athletic performance and recovery, providing athletes with safe, effective, and non-invasive methods to optimize their potential.

https://www.photobiomodulation.expert
Previous

Clinical Applications
Next

Protocol Recommendations