If you’ve been researching laser therapy for pain relief, injury recovery, or inflammation reduction, you may have come across MLS Laser Therapy (often used at OrthoLazer clinics) and LightForce Class IV Laser Therapy. While both are Class IV therapeutic lasers, they are not the same.

At Adisi Health Center in Hinsdale, IL, we use the LightForce® 40W Class IV Laser—a more advanced and powerful option than MLS. Here’s a breakdown so you can understand the differences and why it matters for your care.

What Is MLS Laser Therapy?

MLS (Multiwave Locked System) Laser Therapy uses two synchronized wavelengths (808nm and 905nm) delivered in continuous and pulsed modes. This dual approach is designed to reduce pain and inflammation while stimulating tissue repair.

Used at: OrthoLazer franchise clinics
Average power: Lower sustained power output compared to top Class IV lasers
Treatment focus: Pain relief, inflammation, circulation support
Strengths: Safe, standardized protocols, well-established in pain management
Limitations: Less effective for very deep tissues, longer treatment times, limited flexibility

What Is LightForce® 40W Laser Therapy?

At Adisi Health Center, we’ve invested in the LightForce® 40W FXi Class IV Laser—one of the most powerful and versatile lasers available. It delivers up to 40 watts of therapeutic energy, penetrating deep into muscles, joints, and connective tissues.

Used at: Adisi Health Center, Hinsdale
Average power: Up to 40W continuous or pulsed delivery
Treatment focus: Faster pain relief, accelerated tissue healing, sports recovery, post-surgical support
Strengths: High power for deeper penetration, shorter treatment times, fully customizable protocols, real-time feedback for dosing consistency
Limitations: Must be used by trained providers to manage heat—something we specialize in

MLS vs. LightForce 40W: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	MLS Laser (OrthoLazer)	LightForce 40W Laser (Adisi Health Center)
Power Output	Up to 25W (average lower)	Up to 40W continuous or pulsed
Wavelengths	808nm + 905nm	810nm + 980nm
Depth of Penetration	Moderate (limited in larger patients or deep joints)	High (effective for deep muscles, joints, and connective tissue)
Treatment Time	Longer due to lower sustained energy	Faster treatments with higher continuous power
Protocol Flexibility	Fixed protocols across franchise clinics	Fully customizable, tailored to each patient
Best For	General pain relief and inflammation	Sports injuries, post-surgical recovery, chronic pain, performance optimization

Why This Matters for You (MLS Laser vs. LightForce 40W Laser)

Both MLS and LightForce lasers can help with pain and healing—but the LightForce® 40W offers:

Deeper penetration: reaching tissues that MLS may not fully target
Faster treatments: higher power means shorter sessions
More personalized care: protocols customized to your exact condition
Elite performance: trusted by professional sports teams and leading rehab centers worldwide

At Adisi Health Center, we combine our advanced Class IV laser with other breakthrough therapies—Shockwave, TECAR, and EMTT.—to create some of the most complete recovery solutions in the Midwest.