If you have been comparing laser therapy clinics, you may have noticed that some advertise a Class 3B laser and others make a point of promoting Class IV.
What does the class actually tell you?
Laser class is first and foremost a safety classification. It relates to things such as the accessible laser output and the safety precautions required when the equipment is used.
It is not a simple clinical score where Class IV automatically means ‘better’ and Class 3B means ‘less effective.’
There is more to treatment than power
Therapeutic lasers can differ in wavelength, power, pulse characteristics, dose and the way a treatment protocol is delivered. The condition being treated matters too.
Research comparing laser approaches does not give us a basis to say that one class is universally the best choice for every patient and every musculoskeletal problem. Different studies use different devices and protocols, and results vary.
Why we use a Class 3B laser at ChiroActive
We use a Theralase Class 3B therapeutic laser at our Carleton Place clinic.
We chose it as another treatment tool for patients where laser therapy may be appropriate. What I do not want to do is turn a patient’s appointment into a competition between machines.
If your knee hurts every time you take the stairs, you are probably much more interested in whether we understand why it hurts and what we can do about it than in the class number printed on the equipment.
The better question to ask
Instead of asking only whether Class 3B or Class IV is ‘better,’ ask whether the practitioner has assessed your problem and can explain why laser therapy is being recommended for you.
That is the approach we take at ChiroActive. We start with the patient, not the laser.
If you are curious about Class 3B Laser Therapy and whether it could be appropriate for what you are dealing with, learn more on our Laser Therapy page or book your first visit.
Sources
- Health Canada – Laser Products
Government of Canada
This outlines the IEC laser classification system, including Class 3B and Class 4, and the associated safety and hazard classifications. - Health Canada – Guidance for Laser Products: Classification and Engineering Requirements
Government of Canada
This provides further information on how laser products are classified and the applicable safety and engineering requirements.