Does cold laser therapy hurt?

Rarely. Unlike the high-power lasers used in surgery, low-level lasers do not produce heat. Most people feel little or nothing during a session. There is no downtime afterwards.

How long does a session take?

Laser is generally applied to a specific area for a few minutes as part of a longer appointment, rather than being booked as a standalone treatment. The exact time depends on the area and the presentation.

Is cold laser therapy safe?

It is non-invasive and there is no recovery period. As with any treatment, it is not appropriate for every presentation — which is what the assessment is for. Laser is not used directly over known malignancy or over the abdomen during pregnancy.

Is laser used on its own?

Rarely. At Vitalign it is used alongside adjustments and exercise where the presentation suits it, as one component of a plan rather than a treatment in isolation.

What does the first visit involve, and what does it cost?

About 30 minutes with Dr Matthew Schmerl, chiropractor: a full history, an examination, and a clear explanation of what we found and your options. If it is safe and suits you, you can be treated on the day. Fees are shown when you book online, so you see the cost before you confirm. X-rays are charged separately and only taken when clinically indicated.

Will I be pressured into ongoing care?

No. After the assessment we explain what we found and your options, answer your questions, and you decide what is right for you. If chiropractic is not the right fit, we will tell you and suggest who to see.

Cold Laser Therapy Brisbane | Erchonia LLLT at Vitalign

Cold laser therapy

Erchonia low-level laser, used alongside chiropractic care where your assessment shows it suits you. Dr Schmerl, our chiropractor, has used cold laser therapy since 2009. It starts with a 30-minute Initial Assessment.

30-minute Initial AssessmentDr Matthew Schmerl, chiropractor · 20+ years in practiceWest Village, West End · 2 hours free parkingMonday to Thursday, often same dayNo referral needed

What cold laser therapy is

Cold laser therapy, also called low-level laser therapy, or LLLT, uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity. Unlike the high-power lasers used in surgery, cold lasers do not produce heat. They deliver photons of light that are absorbed by the body’s cells.

Practically, that means it is non-invasive and has no downtime. Most people feel little or nothing during a session.

Why Erchonia

We use Erchonia low-level laser units. They are:

Non-invasive: usually comfortable, with no recovery period.

Where the evidence sits

Low-level laser has a reasonable evidence base for pain and soft-tissue conditions, and a weaker one for many of the other things it gets promoted for. We use it for the former. If you have read something extravagant about what laser can do, ask us and you will get a straight answer about whether the research supports it.

Where it fits

In this practice, laser is applied to musculoskeletal presentations as one part of care, not booked as a standalone treatment. Whether it suits what you have is what the assessment works out.

How it fits into care

Laser does not replace working out why a joint stopped moving properly. It sits alongside adjustments and exercise, and for particular presentations alongside spinal decompression. Which of these you would use, if any, depends entirely on what the examination shows.

Find out what’s driving it, and what your options are

A 30-minute Initial Assessment with Dr Matthew Schmerl, chiropractor: history, examination and a clear explanation of what we found. If chiropractic isn’t right for you, we’ll say so and suggest who to see.

Monday to Thursday, often the same day. We see a limited number of new patients each week so first visits aren’t rushed. Fees are shown when you book online. HICAPS on the spot, two hours free parking.