Q: What is Best Gift of Life cool Laser Therapy?
A: Best Gift of Life Cool Laser Therapy combines Laser Therapy and client-centered counseling with continued individual support. The program embraces a smoking cessation intervention, which involves the application of a cold, non-invasive pain-free laser beam to specific pressure points of the body. This stimulates and helps release endorphins, which help relieve discomfort and stress associated with smoking cessation. Through counseling, individuals are supported to focus on the lifestyle changes necessary to help them remain smoke free. Two additional follow up laser treatments reinforce the new non smoker’s lifestyle change, as well as provide and establish a support and team work effort on both parts of our staff and yourself.

Q: How can Laser Therapy help me stop smoking?
A: It is believed that nicotine releases endorphins, which give the smoker a sense of relaxation. When smoking stops, the sudden drop in endorphin levels leads to severe withdrawal symptoms. Laser Therapy helps reduce cravings, stress, and restores balance to the body.

Q: I have tried everything, I am hopeless, I am a smoker for life I feel. Can you help me?
A: Absolutely. We here at Best Gift of Life believe that all people can successfully quit smoking with our program if we work together as a team. We believe our laser treatment dramatically reduces the cravings associated with quitting smoking and that our tips, guidance and advice are customized just for you. We never give up on our clients and always offer our services to be there as a support for you. True success comes from team work between the technician and the client. Remember, our ultimate goal is to make you successful!

Q: Are there any side effects?
A: We use a non-invasive class IIIB laser that is recognized by the FDA as a "non-significant risk device." Our treatment is completely safe and provides no adverse side effects. Most clients feel very relaxed during and after the treatment. You may experience certain side affects as the nicotine leaves your body, but these are perfectly normal responses no matter which method of smoking cessation you choose.

Q: Where is the laser applied?
A: The laser is applied to pressure points on the hands, ears, nose and wrists. For weight treatments additional points are located below the knee and on the feet.

Q: What are the contra-indications using laser therapy?
A: We cannot treat anyone who is under 18 or pregnant. Certain drugs may have to be checked with a physician. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, we need a doctor’s note.

Q: Is it guaranteed?
A: Treatment using low-level laser therapy is designed to help the client physically cope with urges and cravings. The low-level laser does not take away your psychological addiction to nicotine. Our program consists of a laser treatment to end the physical addiction to nicotine, education about cigarette smoking, as well as tips, guidance and advice on how to be smoke free. Each client has a unique level to his/her addiction, so laser therapy cannot be guaranteed. We work closely with each client to ensure their success.

Q: How effective is laser therapy for smoking cessation?
A: International clinical studies have shown higher success rates at ending nicotine addiction than any other nicotine replacement therapy method.

Q: Is laser therapy FDA approved?
A: Our Thor Laser is an FDA approved device. Laser therapy is FDA approved for our machine to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. We are not yet FDA approved for smoking cessation. We are currently seeking approval and about to undergo a double blind placebo test to finalize approval. FDA calls our laser a non-significant risk and we are in the same category as contact lenses.

Q: What is your success rate?
A: Nationally we have a 67% success rate that we track with our clients. We do follow up with each of our patients for a year and submit those findings to be evaluated. We do have the highest success ratio of all smoking cessation products.

Q: Is laser therapy covered by medical insurance?
A: Laser Therapy for the treatment of smoking cessation is not eligible for health insurance coverage. However, The Best Gift of Life Program is affordable. A pack a day smoker approximately spends $1,500-$1,800 annually, the costs of procedure is less than 1/3 of a person’s annual cigarette expenditure. You may however send your bill to your insurance company and label the treatment as needle-less acupuncture.

Q: How many times do I need to see you to stop smoking?
A: Only one laser session is needed to be able to stop smoking. Our program allows for 3 laser treatments. The first treatment is one hour long, and the two follow up treatments are about 30 minutes each. We recommend that you come back for your first follow up treatment between 2 days and 1 week from your primary session. We would like to see you back and evaluate your progress and give you another laser treatment. The third visit can be used whenever you feel like you would like to use it. Though every body is different and reacts differently to treatments, your cravings for nicotine should be eliminated entirely after the first primary session.

Q: How long does having no cravings last after the treatment?
A: You won't have physical cravings; it will be only the mental habit that is greatly diminished after about 2 weeks of not smoking.

Q: Where is your office located?
A: Our office is located at 457 Main St. · Suite 1A · Danbury, CT 06811.

Q: Do I have to wear special clothes for the treatment?
A: Dress comfortably. For weight loss we do treat pressure points below the knee and on the feet; which needs to be kept in mind when coming to your appointment.

Q: How long have you been in business?
A: Anne Penman has being operating laser therapy clinics for 13 years. This is Anne’s 60th location in the U.S. All of the staff is trained by Anne Penman personally. We have been in Burlington since late July, 2006.

Q: I have never heard of this treatment, who else does this?
A: It has been available in Europe and Canada for over 20 years; we have been in the U.S. since January, 2004.

Q: What do you accept for payment for the treatment?
A: We accept MasterCard, Visa, personal check and cash.

Q: Drinking really triggers my smoking; after the treatment. Will I still be able to have a drink?
A: You may want to avoid situations that trigger habits for a few days. However, after the detoxification process is over and your habits have greatly diminished, you will be able to go back to your daily routine.

Q: I have been smoking for over 30/40/50 years, will this work for me?
A: It does not matter how long you have been a smoker or how many cigarettes you smoke. This program can help. The most important thing is that you have willingness to give it up.

Q: What are your hours?
A: Our hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Q: How far in advance do I have to schedule my appointment?
A: Usually 3-4 days in advance. Keep in mind that Saturday are our busiest days.

Q: How do I schedule an appointment?
A: All you have to do is call us directly at 1-(800)-NOSMOKE and ask to schedule an appointment. The date of your primary session will be your quit date.

Q: How should I prepare for the appointment?
A: We recommend that you clean out your car and home of all of the addiction. Put away ash trays, lighters and throw away all of your cigarettes. You may have your last cigarette at the door of the building. The most important thing is to have a positive attitude about the treatment on your quit date. Our staff will give you are full service and attention and completely prepare you to become a non-smoker. We will work together.