Laser therapy also called “cold laser” or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a technology, which has been proven to be remarkably safe, painless and effective in treating both acute injuries and chronic pain of various kinds. It has been particularly helpful in stubborn, persistent, and “difficult-to-treat” conditions, including chronic back pain and neck pain, arthritis, plantar fasciitis and other joint and muscle pains.
Laser light with differing wavelengths and duration penetrates soft tissue to deliver energy directly to injured tissue cells. The effect is beneficial for injured skin, muscle, ligaments, tendons, nerves, cartilage and bone. Approximately 10% are “fast responders” and notice rapid improvement of pain reduction and swelling. The laser treatment itself is not painful. Some patients note a sensation of “warmth” during therapy with the red light treatment head. Laser is delivered via “treatment heads”, or arrays of lasers, plus deep penetrating, focused laser “probes” to reach deeper injured tissue.
Therapeutic Benefits of Laser Therapy
- Anti-inflammatory Action: Laser light reduces swelling, leading to decreased pain, less stiffness, and a faster return to normal joint and muscle function.
- Rapid Cell repair: Laser light accelerates cellular reproduction and healing.
- Faster Wound Healing: Laser light stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue.
- Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation: Laser light reduces formation of scar tissue, leading to more complete healing, with less chance of weakness and re-injury later.
- Increased Vascular Activity: Laser light increases blood flow to the injured area.
- Stimulated Nerve Function: Laser light speeds nerve cell processes, which may decrease pain and numbness associated with nerve-related conditions.
Medical Conditions Treated with Laser Therapy
Muscular-skeletal injury:
- Tendonitis (example: shoulder rotator-cuff, tennis elbow, golfer’s wrist)
- Ligament, muscle, or tendon strain
- Bursitis
- Back pain (Neck and low back pain, disc herniation)
- Arthritis (Osteo-arthritis and Rheumatoid)
- Carpel tunnel syndrome
- Repetitive strain injuries (example: wrist/hand)
- Plantar fasciitis (example: foot/heel)
- Fibromyalgia
- Contusion/ Hematoma
- Nerve irritation.
- TMJ syndrome (jaw/facial pain)
Skin:
- Wound healing ( trauma, post surgical)
- Scar (thick scar, keloid)
- Diabetic skin ulcer
- Atherosclerosis ulcers (poor circulation)