Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is a noninvasive alternative to more invasive, conventional treatments. Laser therapy enhances the body’s natural healing process by promoting cell regeneration, tissue formation, collagen production, and blood flow. It is effective in treating chronic pain, sports injuries, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Call our office or use our online booking tool to schedule a laser therapy appointment with Dr. Sheps!

What is Laser Therapy?

Dr. Sheps has been administering high-intensity laser therapy for over two decades, providing his patients with a safe alternative to more invasive traditional therapies. Laser therapy enhances the body’s natural ability to heal itself by effectively targeting pain and inflammation in the body. During treatment, patients will feel warmth at the treatment site, but the experience is otherwise painless and has virtually no side effects. Everyone has a unique threshold for heat, so it is important to inform Dr. Sheps if the heat becomes too intense at any point during treatment. The number of treatment sessions will vary depending on the patient and the injury in question. Typically, six to eight treatments are necessary for acute conditions, with some patients noticing improvement after just one session. Results and length of treatment will differ for more chronic conditions. 

How Laser Therapy Works

During treatment, energy is emitted from the laser device and delivered into the body’s tissue, which absorbs the laser energy and transforms it to chemical energy. The absorption of this energy allows the body to accelerate its natural healing process by increasing cell regeneration, tissue formation, collagen production, and blood flow. Laser therapy has also proven to be effective in bone repair, edema reduction, lymphatic drainage, and capillary bed production. 

Types of Lasers

There are a number of laser devices that can be used when administering laser therapy. Dr. Sheps uses Phoenix and Berman lasers in his therapy regimen, both of which are custom lasers unique in their high power and specific wavelengths that enable deeper and more effective penetration of the body’s tissue. Dr. Sheps rotates between these lasers because their various wavelengths and powers affect the tissues differently. The high intensity of Dr. Sheps’ preferred lasers distinguishes them from low-level cold lasers that are unable to penetrate the tissues as deeply or as effectively. 

Dr. Sheps’ Professional Accomplishments

Dr. Sheps is at the forefront of research for the next generation of lasers. He has collaborated with several manufacturers to advance medical laser technology and is dually recognized for his contributions to research and development and to health services research. Dr. Sheps worked with Biolase–a leading medical laser manufacturer– on the development of the Epic T-series laser and the Diolase 10 Pain Therapy laser. He provided the original clinical research for both lasers: his findings on the safety and efficacy of specific wavelengths enabled the incorporation of these wavelengths into the Epic T-series and Diolase lasers. The combination of these unique wavelengths and the lasers’ high powers allows for deeper penetration, which is proven to shorten treatment time and accelerate healing.  

Dr. Sheps has also lectured internationally and has trained and certified numerous orthopedists, chiropractors, and physical therapists in laser therapy. He has personally treated several professional sports teams, including the U.S. National Female Gymnastics Team, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the UCLA Men’s Basketball Team. He has also served as a clinical advisor to the esteemed healthcare facilities that have adopted his laser therapy techniques, including the University of California Los Angeles, Johns Hopkins University, and The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.