LightForce / LiteCure Therapy Lasers
Class IV therapy laser pioneer – now part of Enovis/Chattanooga
We Do Not Sell LightForce Products
ColdLasers.org is not a LightForce/LiteCure dealer. This page is provided as a reference for practitioners researching the therapy laser market. If you're comparing options, we recommend exploring alternatives that offer more wavelengths, better real-world power delivery, and significantly lower cost:
Company Overview
LightForce (formerly LiteCure) is based in Delaware and was one of the first truly successful manufacturers of high-power Class IV therapy lasers. Their original LCT-1000 was a 10-watt system that dominated the early Class IV market—to say they dominated is an understatement. The LCT-1000 became one of the original workhorses of the Class IV therapy laser industry.
In December 2020, DJO acquired LiteCure, integrating it into their Chattanooga rehabilitation brand. DJO is now part of Enovis Corporation, making Chattanooga the world's largest high-power laser manufacturer. The company estimates over 1 million treatments are performed using LightForce lasers per month across 29 countries.
LiteCure operates three distinct brands: LightForce® for human medical applications, Companion® for veterinary/small animal use, and Pegasus® for equine applications.
Current LightForce Product Lineup
All current LightForce systems use dual wavelength (980nm/810nm), offer both continuous wave and pulsed modes, include a 650nm aiming beam, and carry a 24-month warranty.
Used Market: Pre-owned FXi units sell for $11,000–$22,000 on eBay; XLi units $24,000–$25,000.
Treatment Heads & The Patented Massage Ball
LightForce's most distinctive feature is their patented roller-ball (massage ball) emitter that allows clinicians to apply pressure while moving the handpiece—combining manual therapy with laser delivery.
Most commonly used on-contact head. Compresses superficial tissues to enhance penetration. Fused silica composition minimizes light loss. Available on XLi, XPi, FXi.
For low-to-moderate power treatments. Ideal for trigger points, face, and digits of feet/hands.
Off-contact treatments requiring higher power. Ideal for larger areas and deep tissues. Not recommended around face.
Twice the spot size of Large Cone. Paired with Smart Handpiece for comfortable 25W+ treatments. XLi exclusive.
For superficial tissues with small-to-moderate surface areas, especially near boney prominences.
XLi exclusive. One-of-a-kind on-contact head for treating large areas quickly. Designed for 40W treatments.
⚠️ Massage Ball Hygiene Consideration
The downside to the roller-ball design is that it can trap dirt, dead skin, dander, viruses, and bacteria inside the ball mechanism. Without proper disassembly and thorough cleaning after every patient, there is potential for cross-contamination between patients. Clinics should establish strict cleaning protocols.
Proprietary Technologies
Influence® Technology
Automatically adjusts settings based on patient parameters including condition, body type, skin type, and acuity. Provides recommended power levels and treatment heads.
Empower IQ™ Delivery System
Real-time visual and haptic feedback on dosing speed. Assesses operator speed and alerts if moving too fast or slow for optimal energy delivery.
Smart Handpiece
Recognizes which treatment head is attached and recommends appropriate power level. Prevents mismatched power/head combinations.
Perfect Protocol™
Custom protocol options for different treatment areas and conditions. Allows clinician to tweak settings for specific patient needs.
Instant Replay
Save treatment settings and store in "Playbook" for future use. Ensures consistent treatments for returning patients.
Market Position & Adoption
LightForce has significant market penetration, particularly in professional sports:
- Over 250 professional and college sports teams use LightForce lasers
- Seen on sidelines: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, PGA Tour, UFC, X Games
- International presence: Premier League, EFL Championship, Olympics
- Entertainment: Cirque du Soleil
- Military: US Air Force, British military
- Estimated 1.2 million treatments per month across 29 countries
The company is certified to American Institute of Medical Laser Applications (AIMLA) standards and provides access to certification training for all customers.
Companion & Pegasus (Veterinary)
LiteCure's veterinary divisions operate under separate branding with specialized protocols:
Companion Animal Health
The CTS-DUO+ includes photo-thermal therapy capability for treating low-grade mast cell tumors—first of its kind in veterinary.
Pegasus (Equine)
Drug-free, surgery-free pain relief solutions specifically designed for the equine athlete.
Legacy: The LCT-1000
The LCT-1000 was LiteCure's original breakthrough product—one of the first truly successful 10-watt Class IV therapy lasers. FDA cleared in March 2007, it became the workhorse of the Class IV therapy laser industry.
The system used a main control unit with fiber optic cable to the handheld emitter. It utilized a non-contact treatment method, though it could also be used with an optional massage ball for contact therapy. The probe needed to be kept moving at higher powers to prevent heat buildup.
The manufacturer claimed the LCT-1000 could deliver up to 1,500 times more energy than other therapy lasers—a claim that was probably true given how many lasers on the market at the time were super-low-power devices.
The LCT-1000 is no longer in production and has been replaced by the current LightForce series.
Clinical Indications
LightForce markets Deep Tissue Laser Therapy™ for acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Published research cited by the company includes:
Typical treatment times are 3–10 minutes depending on condition size, depth, and acuity. Most treatment plans involve 6–12 sessions.
Considerations for Buyers
LightForce commands top-tier pricing ($18,000–$40,000+). Comparable systems from other manufacturers offer similar or better specs at significantly lower price points.
All LightForce systems use only 980nm/810nm. Competitors offer tri-wavelength, quad-wavelength, and even 6-wavelength options for practitioners who prefer multi-wavelength protocols.
LightForce systems output a fixed blend of approximately 80% at 980nm and only 20% at 810nm. Research shows 810nm has up to 30× better depth of penetration and is optimal for ATP production. Competitors with independent wavelength control let you deliver 50%, 75%, or even 100% at 810nm when deeper penetration is needed.
The signature massage ball requires thorough disassembly and cleaning between patients to prevent cross-contamination—an extra step some practices may find burdensome.
Now part of the Enovis corporate structure. Some practitioners prefer dealing with smaller, specialized laser companies with more responsive support.
How LightForce Compares
The following comparison shows how the popular LightForce XPi 25W stacks up against comparable systems we offer. Research shows 810nm has up to 30× better depth of penetration than 980nm, so optimal protocols include significant 810nm energy—something LightForce's fixed wavelength blend cannot optimize.
| Specification | LightForce XPi | ReGen T62 | EVO D30 | ATP Max XT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Power | 25W | 62W | 30W | 42W |
| Wavelengths | 2 (810/980) | 3 (810/980/650) | 2 (810/980) | 3 (810/980/650) |
| 810nm Power | ~5W (20% of blend) | 30W (independent) | 15W (independent) | 20W (independent) |
| 980nm Power | ~20W (80% of blend) | 30W (independent) | 15W (independent) | 20W (independent) |
| 650nm Power | Aiming only | 2W therapeutic | Aiming only | 2W therapeutic |
| Wavelength Control | Fixed 80/20 blend | Independent | Independent | Independent |
| Max 810nm Ratio | 20% (fixed) | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Display | Touchscreen | 11" flip-up touchscreen | 7.2" touchscreen | 10" touchscreen |
| Skin Temp Control | No | Yes (auto power adjust) | No | No |
| Cloud Updates | No | Yes (WiFi) | No | No |
| Battery Option | No (FXi only) | Yes (built-in) | Yes (external) | Yes (external) |
| Warranty | 24 months | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Made In | USA | USA-designed | USA-designed | USA-designed |
| Price | ~$30,000 | $26,500 | $12,950 | $14,950 |
Key Insight: LightForce's fixed 80/20 wavelength blend means only ~5W of their 25W system is actually at 810nm—the wavelength research shows penetrates deepest and drives ATP production. Systems with independent wavelength control let you deliver 15–30W at 810nm when treating deep structures.
Ready to Explore Better Options?
Get more wavelengths, more power, better protocols, and a longer warranty—all at a lower price.
This page is provided for informational purposes only. LightForce®, LiteCure®, Companion®, Pegasus®, Empower™, Influence®, and Deep Tissue Laser Therapy™ are trademarks of Enovis/DJO. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Enovis, DJO, or LiteCure. Specifications and pricing are approximate and subject to change.