Epoch® Lasers: A New Dawn in Pain Management

In a world where pain management often means a prescription for opioids and the potential for addiction, Jim Ohneck, CEO of Epoch Lasers, is pioneering a different approach—one that harnesses the power of light rather than pills. Ohneck's journey from emergency medicine to developing cutting-edge laser technology is not just a business venture; it's a mission driven by personal experiences and a deep desire to help people live pain-free without dangerous side effects.

Jim Ohneck's career in the medical field spans decades, from his early days as an emergency medical technician to working in the fields of clinical chemistry, ophthalmology, and microelectronics. But it was his introduction to laser technology in ophthalmology that would shape his future. "I've always had this fascination about them and how they function and work," Ohneck recalls. That fascination led him to explore low-level laser therapy (LLLT), an emerging technology at the time.

After working with a company developing laser therapy devices, Ohneck saw firsthand the potential—and limitations—of the technology. "You really need to make a product that's convenient to use, convenient for the patient, and gets quick results," he explains. He began conducting extensive research, analyzing studies to determine why some lasers were effective while others were not. What he found would set him on a path toward groundbreaking innovation.

Through a meticulous process of meta-analysis, Ohneck identified that high-power laser therapy (HPLT) could deliver more energy deeper into the body at optimal wavelengths. "What you really need isn't low-level laser therapy," he says. "What's really needed is high-power laser therapy to get more energy safely into the body, quicker and deeper down."

Armed with this knowledge, Ohneck collaborated with research institutions, such as the University of Toledo and the Consortium for Wound Healing Research and Education, to test his prototypes. "We even tested on cadavers and, believe it or not, Spam," he laughs, explaining how the canned meat's absorption properties made it a surprisingly useful test subject. "It helps you design your experiments for a human model because you really can't put sensors in a live human and then laser them."

The next step was testing on animals. "I lasered horses and dogs for a couple of years," Ohneck says. Unlike humans, animals don't experience the placebo effect. "You can look at a horse and see that they're not walking properly. You laser them, and suddenly they are. The horse doesn't say, 'The guy lasered me, I'm going to feel better." The results confirmed that the therapy was effective, paving the way for human trials.

While the science was promising, Ohneck's drive to bring his technology to market was deeply personal. A close family friend suffered from addiction to opioid pain medication following a routine outpatient surgical procedure. "I watched it ruin her career," he says. "This happens all over the country. There has to be a better way."

Determined to make a difference, Ohneck refined his laser technology and, in 2017, took the leap to bring it to the world. "I had the confidence to do this. I knew this would help."

As Epoch Lasers gained traction, competitors took notice. "During the patent application process, a lot of people tried to copy my technology," Ohneck admits. But rather than being discouraged, he saw the bigger picture. "Even though they did that, it still validated the market and helped people."

Litigating against patent infringement is costly—potentially costing millions in the U.S. "I'd much rather use my knowledge to continually stay a step ahead," he says. "I can put that money into the company, develop new products and ideas, and keep innovating so that they're always playing catch-up to me."

Today, Epoch Lasers is changing lives. Clinics report not only financial growth but, more importantly, patient success. "I was on a call today with a clinic, and they said they absolutely love it because they're really helping people," Ohneck shares. "They see quick results."

And this is only the beginning. "Ohneck is exploring new wavelengths and power settings and even integrating adjunctive alternative therapies such as lifestyle coaching, meditation, and sound therapy. Sound, for example, impacts our bodies. Pairing it with light therapy can create even more powerful treatments," he says. "This is just the first ray of sunlight over the horizon—there's so much more to come."

At its core, Epoch Lasers isn't just about selling devices—it's about changing the way we think about pain management. "How many people can we get off addictive medications? How many lives can we improve or careers can we save?" Ohneck asks. "That's the real win."