How Much Does Cold Laser Therapy Cost?
Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure that requires no surgical incisions and is an option for those who want to provide relief for any sort of pain. This is a newer procedure that uses wavelengths of light to interact with the tissues and can help accelerate the healing process. This treatment option is often considered by those who don’t want surgery or want to take drugs to help with their pain.
Conditions treated by this form of therapy can include arthritis pain, minor injuries, skin rejuvenation, wound healing, back pain, carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, knee pain, neck pain, tendonitis and even acupuncture.
How much does cold laser therapy cost?
According to ColdLasers.org, there are many types of lasers that have been approved by the FDA, and the prices for each type of laser will vary. The price will also vary according to the purpose of the therapy. On average, a cold laser therapy session can cost anywhere from $30 to $150+. As for the period of the treatment for body pains, the course of treatment varies according to the size of the area being treated. Acute conditions may be treated daily, whereas more chronic problems respond better when treatments are received two to three times a week. Each course of treatment will take about 10 minutes.
Spine-health.com, for example, says it could take eight to 30 sessions, depending on the severity and duration of the condition. With each session averaging $30 to $150, it may cost upwards of $240 to more than $4,500+ to see desirable results. Of course, it could be much more if you continue to receive the treatments.
Your health insurance company may cover the procedure, but it’s often rare, because most insurance companies, such as Aetna, claim it’s experimental and has inadequate evidence of effectiveness. It’s important to know, however, that Medicare and Medicaid won’t cover this procedure.
Factors that affect the price
The medical issue to be addressed by the therapy
Specific treatment needed
Wavelength and power needed for the treatment
The laser therapy clinic
Geographical location
What are the extra costs?
Before you can even consider the procedure, you need to first consult with a medical professional to ensure that you are eligible for the therapy. This consultation, depending on who you use, may or may not incur charges.
Laser therapy is more effective when combined with other forms of therapy. These may include physical therapy, chiropractor visits, a massage, soft tissue mobilization and/or electrotherapy. These may be additional costs to consider if you want to blend in other forms of therapy.
Tips to know
Cold lasers, when used by a physician, will be the size of a flashlight. The laser area will be placed over the injured area for a certain duration, depending on the size of the area nad the dose provided by the unit. Most sessions are relatively quick, lasting no longer than 10 minutes.
During the session, the photons of light emitted from the laser will pass through the skin layers, with the ability to penetrate up to five centimeters beneath the skin.
The laser therapy, according to those who received it, does not hurt. During the treatment, there is a little or no sensation that the patient will experience, and it is considered to be a very safe procedure. In fact, it is so relaxing that most people sleep during the treatment. The feeling, as explained by those who have had the therapy done, is said to feel like a gentle or soothing feeling.
There are very minimal risks associated with laser therapy as the procedure requires no use of any drug or anesthesia. Because of this, there are fewer side effects and the procedure is quicker and more convenient.
Questions to ask
How do I know if laser therapy is right for me?
How long will the treatment take? How many sessions do I need to complete in order to have the best results?
Do I need any preparation for the therapy?
Is the procedure covered by my medical insurance?
Are the results of the therapy long lasting?
How can I save money?
Consult with your medical insurance company to if they will be able to cover the expenses for the therapy. Although it is not commonly covered, some insurance companies may have it covered or pay for a portion of the procedure. For those who do not have health insurance policies, consider using the free health insurance search engine at eHealthInsurance.com to find a policy.
Since there’s a good chance you will need more than one session, many providers will offer a bulk discount if you were to buy more than one session at once.
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Average Reported Cost: $710
How much did you spend?
- J Rogers (Melbourne, Florida) paid $1400 and said:
Didn’t last only a day or two after each session.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Bonnibren (Sturgis, South Dakota) paid $20 and said:
Chiropractor does these. I pay out of pocket, as insurance is not billed for it.
Was it worth it? Yes
