Laser Therapy with Erchonia: Healing From Light
At Unity Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Beaverton, we use Erchonia Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to accelerate recovery, reduce pain, and support neurological balance. This advanced, non-thermal laser technology allows us to promote healing safely — even in children and neurodiverse individuals — using the same visible-light wavelengths trusted in FDA-cleared clinical research.
What Is Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)?
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT, also called photobiomodulation) is a non-invasive treatment that harnesses the power of light to stimulate cellular repair, reduce pain and inflammation, and accelerate healing — all without heat or damage to tissue. Erchonia has been a leader in LLLT for decades, applying rigorous clinical research and FDA clearances to guide its protocols. (source)
Instead of relying on thermal (heating) effects, LLLT works through photochemical and photoelectric / photobiologic signaling cascades at the cellular level. This is essential: visible light photons (in the wavelengths used by Erchonia) carry sufficient energy per photon to drive electronic (molecular) transitions; longer-wavelength infrared or near-infrared photons often do not, and may act predominantly via thermal or photo-mechanical effects instead.
Because each photon can trigger many downstream reactions, and because trillions (indeed quadrillions) of photons are delivered each second even at low power, LLLT can create substantial biological effect with very low net dosages.
Wavelengths, Photon Energy, and Therapeutic Effects
Photon Energy & the Cutoff Line
It’s important to understand that photon energy is inversely proportional to wavelength, according to the Planck relation:
- 405 nm photon energy ≈ 1240 / 405 = ~3.06 eV
- 532 nm photon energy ≈ 1240 / 532 = ~2.33 eV
- 635 nm photon energy ≈ 1240 / 635 = ~1.95 eV
These energies are well within the “visible / higher energy” part of the spectrum, meaning the photons can drive certain electron transitions in molecules, modulate chromophores (e.g. cytochrome c oxidase), trigger signaling cascades, and thus promote the photobiologic effects desired. (Photons with lower energy — e.g. those in deep infrared above ~900 nm or further — may lack the quantum energy to drive some of those transitions, relegating their action to heating or mechanical effects.) (source)
One can think of this “cutoff line” between therapeutic (photochemical / photobiomodulation) and sub-threshold (thermal / photomechanical) as around the boundary where photon energy becomes too low to reliably trigger those beneficial molecular transitions. Practically, that cutoff tends to lie somewhere in the long-wavelength (near-infrared / IR) zone beyond the visible spectrum — that is, many true LLLT devices remain in the visible or near-visible range (400–700 nm).
Why Red, Green, and Violet?
Because different wavelengths penetrate to different depths and interact with different chromophores, the Erchonia lasers at Unity Chiropractic and Wellness center use a multi-wavelength approach.
Wavelength | Photon Energy (approx.) | Penetration / Depth | Primary Clinical Role | Notes & Supporting Evidence |
405 nm (violet / blue-violet) | ~3.06 eV | Shallow (surface, epidermal / dermal) | Antimicrobial / antibacterial effects, skin surface, infections | This wavelength is known to have bactericidal effects, useful in treating superficial infections or disinfection. Many Erchonia devices combine 405 nm + red lasers for antimicrobial + healing synergy. (source) |
532 nm (green) | ~2.33 eV | Mid-depth, superficial to moderate | Anti-inflammatory, modulation of oxidative stress, edema control, stimulating cellular activity | Green light is often well absorbed by superficial tissues and can calm inflammation and support vascular regulation. |
635 nm (red) | ~1.95 eV | Deeper (muscle, tendon, joint) | Pain relief, enhanced circulation, mitochondrial stimulation, wound healing | This is one of the “classic” LLLT wavelengths used in many photobiomodulation studies. (source) |
These wavelengths act synergistically — for instance, combining violet + red has been studied, for antibacterial and healing benefits. (source)
Because each photon is energetic, but many photons are delivered, the net biological effect is strong without needing high thermal power.
Additionally:
- Every second the laser is on, quadrillions of photons are emitted.
- Each individual photon can trigger many downstream molecular events (hundreds to thousands of signaling cascades).
- Thus, even though the device output is low power (non-thermal), the cumulative effect is substantial.
Imagine each photon as a tiny messenger delivering instructions deep inside your cells — and because we deliver so many, the message is loud even though the device is gentle.
Conditions Treated by Erchonia Lasers
Erchonia lasers are effective for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Chronic Pain - Research indicates that LLLT significantly reduces chronic pain levels. A randomized, Double- blind study shows effectiveness in LLLT in treating low back pain (source).
- Wound Healing - LLLT enhances the healing process in various wound types, including diabetic ulcers and surgical wounds. A meta-analysis on LLLT demonstrated its efficacy in promoting faster wound healing (source).
- Sports Injuries - LLLT has shown promise in treating sports-related injuries. Research has shown LLLT is an effective treatment for sports injuries, particularly jumper's knee, tennis elbow and achilles tendinitis.(source).
- Neuropathic Pain - Studies show significant improvements in pain scores and functionality among patients suffering from neuropathic pain conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy (source).
- Dermatological Conditions. - LLLT has been effective for various skin conditions, including acne vulgaris and psoriasis. A clinical trial demonstrated significant reductions in acne lesions with LLLT treatment (source).
- Post-Surgical Recovery - Patients undergoing surgery often benefit from LLLT for pain management and faster recovery. Research supports its use in reducing pain and swelling after procedures (source).
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders - LLLT has been shown to reduce pain and improve function in patients with TMJ disorders. A study indicated significant pain relief with LLLT (source).
- Headaches and Migraines - Research suggests that LLLT can be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines. A clinical trial found substantial improvements in pain relief (source).
- Chronic Sinusitis - LLLT has been found to reduce symptoms of chronic sinusitis, providing relief for patients who suffer from inflammation and discomfort (source).
- Fibromyalgia - Patients with fibromyalgia have reported significant pain reduction and improved quality of life following LLLT treatments (source).
Device Safety, Class & FDA Clearances
Class and Safety
- Erchonia devices are classified as Class II lasers, maintaining output intensities under thresholds that would cause heating. (source)
- Because they act via photochemical signaling (not thermal damage), they are safer for sensitive tissues (e.g. growth plates, developing brain) compared to Class 3b or Class 4 lasers which may cause heating, burns, or risk in sensitive zones.
- The coherent, monochromatic nature of laser light (single wavelength, focused beam) allows deeper tissue penetration and better targeting than broad-spectrum LED devices. (source)
FDA / Regulatory Clearances & Evidence Base
- Erchonia claims 22 FDA clearances for various indications (pain, inflammation, dermatologic, musculoskeletal, surgical) — this underscores that these devices have passed safety/efficacy review in certain use cases. (source) For example, the Erchonia FX-405 (which uses 635 nm + 405 nm diodes) obtained 510(k) clearance based on prior devices (e.g. EVRL) and clinical data. (source) In its 510(k) documentation, the FX-405 device is described as having three red diodes (630–650 nm, ~17.25 mW each) and one 395–415 nm diode (~23 mW), in a pulsed protocol. source
- Clinical trials and comparative studies are ongoing — for example, a trial is registered combining 520 nm and 405 nm light (Erchonia GVL) to assess outcomes for various conditions. (source) The literature continues to expand (e.g. a recent trial combining green + violet on musculoskeletal pain) to explore synergistic wavelength effects. (source)
Thus, while not every condition has a “Level A” evidence recommendation yet, the regulatory and clinical history supports the growing use of Erchonia LLLT in chiropractic, rehab, and integrative clinics.
Patient FAQs
Q: Does it hurt? No — you feel no heat, tingling, or discomfort. The treatment is entirely non-thermal, so it’s gentle while still therapeutic.
Q: When will I feel results? Some patients notice relief after just one session. For acute issues, you might need 6–8 sessions; for chronic issues, 12–16 or more sessions may be optimal. Your clinician will tailor the course.
Q: Is it safe for children? Yes. Because it is non-thermal and low-intensity, LLLT is safe even on growth plates or developing tissues when protocols are followed properly.
Q: Can it help with concussions or brain injuries? Yes — because the visible wavelengths (especially violet / red) carry photon energy adequate for photobiomodulation and do not rely on heating, many practitioners use LLLT in brain injury or neuro rehab settings. Prompt treatment is often more effective.
Q: What about old scars or chronic tissue damage? Yes — the photons stimulate cellular remodeling, collagen reorganization, and improve blood flow. Old scar tissue typically responds well over a course of treatments.
Q: Is it safe? Yes — Erchonia devices are Class II, FDA-cleared for many applications, and are engineered to avoid heating. In the literature and retrospective reports, adverse effects have been extremely rare or absent.
For more detailed research and information on Erchonia lasers, visit Erchonia’s official website.
Results vary. Erchonia LLLT is FDA-cleared for specific indications and intended to support the body’s natural healing processes.