Class IV Laser Therapy for Pain in San Francisco

Class IV laser therapy, also called high-intensity or deep tissue laser therapy, uses concentrated red and near-infrared light to reach muscles, tendons and joints below the skin. The light boosts energy production in injured cells, which helps reduce pain and inflammation and speeds up tissue healing. It is drug-free and non-invasive.

TruSpine offers Class IV laser therapy with the Summus^® P4 laser at 50 Francisco Street, Suite 257, in North Beach / North Waterfront, near Fisherman's Wharf, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, the Marina and the Financial District. Book online or call (415) 421-1115.

Cold laser (low-level laser, usually Class 3B) uses under half a watt of power. A Class IV laser uses many watts, so it delivers more energy deeper into the tissue in less time. That makes it a better fit for deeper structures like the hip, low back and knee. Both work through the same process, called photobiomodulation.

No. A Class IV laser is a focused, handheld beam aimed at one painful area by your provider. Full-body red light therapy uses a bed of LEDs to bathe your whole body in lower-intensity light for recovery and wellness. We offer both.

Research shows it can. Systematic reviews of high-intensity laser therapy found it reduced pain in knee osteoarthritis and low back pain compared with control treatments, with the best results when it was paired with exercise. That is why we combine laser with hands-on care and a home program.

No. Most people feel a soothing warmth while the handpiece glides over the skin. Many patients find it relaxing. Some people with long-standing pain feel a little sore for a day after a session before they feel better.

Most sessions take 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of the area we treat. It fits easily into a lunch break.

It depends on your condition and how long you have had it. New injuries may be treated daily at first. Ongoing problems usually do best with sessions 2 to 3 times a week. After your exam we recommend a plan and check your progress along the way.

Many patients notice less pain and easier movement within the first few sessions. Healing continues between visits as the treated tissue repairs.

We use it for knee pain and arthritis, low back pain and sciatica, neck pain, shoulder pain, tennis and golfer's elbow, plantar fasciitis and heel pain, hip and IT band pain, carpal tunnel, nerve pain (neuropathy), sports injuries, sprains and strains, and recovery after surgery.

Yes. Knee osteoarthritis is one of the best-studied uses of high-intensity laser therapy. For stiff, arthritic knees we often pair it with knee decompression therapy and strengthening exercises. See our knee pain relief page.

Laser therapy can be one part of a neuropathy treatment plan by improving circulation and easing nerve pain in the feet and hands. We combine it with other care based on the cause of your neuropathy.

Yes, when it is done by a trained provider. You wear protective glasses, and the handpiece keeps moving so the tissue warms gently without burning. It can be used over metal implants. We do not use it over the eyes, over a pregnant abdomen, over known cancer, or on skin that is very sensitive to light.

Wear comfortable clothing that lets us reach the area easily, since the laser works directly on the skin. Shorts help for knee and foot treatment.

Cost depends on the area treated and your plan. We go over your plan and costs before you start. We work with many in-network and out-of-network insurance plans, and our team can check your benefits before your visit.

Yes. Summus^® Medical Laser was formerly known as K-Laser. We use the Summus^® P4, a multi-wavelength Class IV therapy laser.

Home devices are far lower in power, so they deliver much less energy to deep tissues like the knee or low back. A clinic Class IV laser, guided by an exam, targets the right spot with the right dose.

We often pair it with chiropractic adjustments, shockwave therapy, Graston technique and a home exercise program, so results last.