What does Hertz indicate in laser therapy?

In laser therapy, Hertz (Hz) refers to the frequency of the laser, specifically indicating the number of pulses delivered per second. This measurement is crucial because it helps to determine how often a laser device emits energy, affecting both the treatment effectiveness and the potential outcome for the patient. Higher frequencies often relate to more rapid delivery of the laser energy, which can influence the way tissues respond to treatment. Understanding this concept is key for practitioners when selecting laser parameters that align with specific therapeutic goals.

The other options relate to different aspects of laser therapy: depth of penetration refers to how deeply the laser energy can reach within the skin or tissue, intensity refers to the power level or energy output of the laser, and total energy delivered encompasses the overall amount of energy administered during a treatment session. Each of these factors plays a role in the effectiveness of laser therapy, but Hertz specifically concentrates on the rate at which pulses are emitted.