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What is Low Level
Laser Therapy (LLLT)?
LLLT is the application of a “cold” pure laser
light to treat certain conditions. It has been used to successfully
treat many kinds of musculoskeletal injuries because it promotes
healing and tissue repair. LLLT has also been found to be a
successful treatment for alcohol and drug addiction, weight control,
and smoking cessation.
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Is LLLT safe?
LLLT is a safe, painless, and medication-free
treatment. It has been used in England, Canada, and Europe for over
20 years with no documented adverse side effects. Laser therapy is a
non-medical procedure and is respected by many physicians as a
highly effective treatment.
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How Does LLLT Work?
The laser light reaches through the skin and
stimulates nerve endings to produce endorphins. Endorphins are
produced normally by you and are nature’s own mood lifter and
anesthetic. The endorphin production relives the physical withdrawal
symptoms of quitting smoking and helps keep you from feeling anxious
or “crabby”.
For more information on LLLT, please visit our
How It Works section.
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What parts of my body will be treated?
The laser is used on several points on the ears,
face, and hands.
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Will the laser hurt?
No. LLLT is painless. In fact, most people
describe the treatment as relaxing.
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How long does the treatment take?
The treatment takes less than 30 minutes. Your
first visit will include a personal consultation and counseling, so
you should allow about an hour for that appointment.
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Will I gain weight
when I quit smoking?
Weight gain is avoidable when quitting smoking
via low level laser because we also treat points that will help to
suppress your appetite. We will explain the metabolic changes that
occur in your body when you quit smoking and give you some
suggestions that will help you avoid gaining weight. In any case,
weight gain is temporary and the benefits of quitting smoking always
far exceed any negative side effects such as a few extra pounds.
Don’t let the fear of weight gain deter you from breaking through an
addiction that can eventually kill you.
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Is the laser treatment guaranteed?
Nicotine addiction consists of two factors: the
physical addiction and the mental addiction. The laser treatment is
designed to relieve the physical withdrawal symptoms, but will not
give you amnesia! If you have smoked a pack a day for thirty years,
this means you will be making a huge change to your daily routine
when you quit. Even if you experience NO physical symptoms, you will
still think about smoking. Therefore, while we cannot make a
guarantee, we will do everything in our power to ensure your
success. Laser treatment + education + commitment = a winning
combination!
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Are there any health conditions for
which LLLT is not
recommended?
Yes. Since Achieve Laser is participating in
clinical research trials for smoking cessation and weight loss,
there are some health conditions that will exclude you from
treatment with LLLT. The conditions that would exclude you from
receiving these treatments are: active cancer, undergoing treatments
with chemotherapy or radiation, photosensitivity to light,
pregnancy, blood clotting disorders, epilepsy, and having steroid
injections 48 hours prior to receiving laser treatment.
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Is there anything I need to do before my first treatment?
While there are no preparations needed for laser
treatments, we do have recommendations that will help you prepare
physically and mentally to quit. From our initial phone conversation
with you, we will begin customizing a strategy for quitting that is
right for you.
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Is LLLT approved by the FDA?
Treatments of musculoskeletal conditions such as
carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, etc have been cleared by the FDA
for use. The laser that we use is approved as a “non-significant
risk device” by the FDA. However, the treatment of smoking cessation
and weight loss with the low level laser has not been cleared.
Therefore, Achieve Laser is one of over 100 centers across the U.S.
who is enrolled in a clinical research trial for both smoking and
weight loss. The purpose of the trial is to establish the
effectiveness of the treatment with low level laser on nicotine
addiction. Prior to receiving treatment, you will be asked to sign
an informed consent and you will then be enrolled in the trial.
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