Laser Therapy

Are you trying to find a pain-relieving method that is both secure and efficient? You might find the cure you need with laser therapy. This medical procedure is FDA-approved and offers non-pharmacological, non-invasive pain alleviation to everyone. To learn everything there is to know about laser therapy, continue reading below.

What is Laser Therapy?

A popular, non-invasive, and non-surgical method of treating many illnesses is laser therapy. Acute and chronic injuries, discomfort, stiff joints, tight muscles, and other issues can all be helped with it, and it can be applied to practically every part of the body without risk. This type of therapy may give exact energy doses to each target location, resulting in little harm while producing long-lasting effects.

How Does Laser Therapy Work?

Photobiomodulation (PBM), a process where photons are absorbed by numerous distinct components of our tissues known as "chormophores," is the mechanism by which this treatment operates. To achieve the optimal therapeutic outcome, enough light must enter the targeted tissue. There are a number of advantages to this procedure:

• A boost in cellular metabolism
• Reduction in muscle spasms
• A decrease in pain
• Improved healing to damaged tissues

• Better vasodilation
• Better collagen production
• Better cell membrane
• Better cell metabolism
• Better lymphatic response
• Better microcirculation
• Better nerve regeneration
• Better pain threshold
• Better bone and tissue repair
• Better enzyme response
• Reduced edema magnitude
• Reduced duration in inflammation

Treatment Solutions

In addition to post-activity recuperation, laser therapy can be utilised to treat both acute and chronic illnesses. As a pre- and post-operative treatment for pain and swelling, it can also be used as an alternative to prescription medications.

Chronic Conditions

According to studies, therapy lasers can be used to treat chronic diseases to reduce persistent pain and improve blood flow to injured areas. When it comes to decreasing pain without the negative side effects that come with medicine, laser therapy can show to be a potent alternative.

Acute Conditions

Acute diseases have also been successfully treated using laser therapy. It can quickly manage the pain, help with the healing process, and support improved outcomes.

Post-Activity Recovery

Laser therapy has proved to be effective in improving recovery times after a workout or activity. It is also capable of reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

How Effective is Laser Therapy?

Patients will experience a wave of comforting warmth that marks the start of the process as laser therapy triggers the body's healing processes. The cellular activity is controlled, which improves local circulation and lessens discomfort in the treated areas. Laser therapy can therefore considerably improve and speed up our body's natural defence and repair processes.

Because of this, laser therapy is particularly useful for inflammation, workout and sports injuries, and some disease processes. For a successful treatment program, it’s best to undergo multiple treatments, where the number of weeks will depend on the severity of symptoms and your condition. Laser therapy is clinically used for the following conditions:

• Neck Pain
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
• Elbow & Joint Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Low Back Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Arthritis
• Sciatica
• Soft Tissue Damage
• Sports Injuries
• Plantar Fasciitis

Why Choose Laser Therapy?

The greatest option for you may be laser therapy if you're in discomfort. Laser therapy can assist if you suffer from painful injuries or conditions including muscular spasms, soft tissue issues, sprains or strains, neck or back discomfort, or other painful conditions. Additionally, laser therapy is FDA-approved and upholds stringent ISO standards, giving you a secure and non-invasive option to surgery and medication.

Ideal Candidates for Laser Therapy

Laser treatments can be performed safely on men and women of all skin colors and tones. Patients of all ages, sizes and ability levels can benefit from laser therapy.

What to Expect from Your Laser Therapy

It's normal to feel anxious before your first laser treatment if you've never had one before. However, many patients say it's a pleasant experience, and during your sessions, you'll feel warm, comforting, and calming sensations. Your cells are receiving the stimulus they require to encourage healing, which is reflected in these feelings.

Because laser treatment is non-surgical and non-invasive, you’ll be able to go home on the same day as the treatment and quickly go back to your routine. Although, it’s best to avoid strenuous and direct exercise to help speed up your recovery process. The Doctor who supervises your laser therapy treatments will give you post-treatment advice.

How Long Do Laser Therapy Results Last?

Depending on the patient, laser therapy will provide different results. Depending on the ailment, some patients might have an instant reduction in pain after just one session, while others might require several.

How Much Does Laser Therapy Cost?

Because there are so many various laser procedures and treatments available, each one has a distinct cost and serves a different function. You will also receive a customised laser treatment schedule that is catered to your particular requirements. Laser therapy treatments show to be a very cost-effective medical option when all the expenses and advantages are considered.

Patient FAQs

What is Laser Therapy Used for?

Laser therapy (also called photobiomodulation), is a process during which photons of therapeutic laser light are absorbed by chromophores in our tissues. This will result in improved circulation, tissue oxygenation and increased cellular metabolism which promotes the healing of tissue and a decrease in pain.

As a result, post-activity recuperation as well as chronic and acute illnesses can both benefit from laser therapy. Since it helps to reduce pain, it can also be used as an alternative to prescription medications and as a pre- and post-operative treatment.

Is Laser Therapy Safe?

In 2003, the FDA approved laser treatment devices for their effectiveness and safety in increasing microcirculation and reducing pain. As a result, therapy lasers are a reliable and secure treatment choice for musculoskeletal discomfort brought on by damage. We always wear approved, protective eyewear for every one of our laser therapy treatments because the main risk associated with laser therapy is to our eyes.

Is Laser Therapy Painful?

When performing laser therapy, the device will be administered directly to the skin since laser light isn’t able to penetrate through clothing. This means that the device will be touching your skin, where you’ll feel soothing warmth during your therapy. Many patients who receive laser therapy treatments provide great feedback, saying that the experience is enjoyable,.

Patients claim that receiving treatments with stronger lasers can also significantly lessen their muscle pain, which will hasten their recovery. Laser therapy is an excellent option for treating all types of pain since those who have chronic pain can attest to how noticeable this effect is.

How Many Treatment Sessions are Needed?

There are key factors that will play a role in determining how many treatments are needed, which are:

• The patient’s response to the treatments
• The nature of their condition

The majority of laser therapy regimens include six to twelve sessions, with more sessions needed for persistent chronic diseases. To create a treatment plan that is ideal for you and your health, all you need to do is consult with your doctor.

How Long Does a Laser Therapy Session Last?

Treatments won’t take up too much of your time and will usually only last between 3 to 10 minutes depending on a few factors of the condition, such as:

• Depth
• Size
• Acuteness

Patients can swiftly get therapeutic doses thanks to high-power lasers' ability to deliver a lot of energy in a short period of time. For patients and physicians who are constantly busy, laser therapy sessions are a need since they offer quick and efficient treatments.

How Long Will it Take to See a Difference?

After treatment, patients frequently notice an improvement in their experience, including some analgesia and therapeutic warmth. It is advisable to receive multiple sessions in order to see a more pronounced improvement in symptoms and problems. Many people are eager to profit from laser therapy because the results improve steadily with each appointment.

How Often Should a Patient Get Treatments?

At the beginning of their treatment, many specialists advise their patients to receive 2 to 3 sessions per week. Experts advise including laser therapy in a patient's care plan because the advantages of laser therapy are cumulative. Early intervention is recommended since regular treatments might expedite the healing process. Treatments may be given less regularly as the symptoms fade.

Do Patients Need to Limit Activities?

While receiving laser therapy won't restrict someone's mobility, the optimum level of activity they can engage in while recovering will depend on their present state of healing and the nature of their particular ailment. Even though the medication relieves your discomfort and may make it simpler for you to engage in some activities, you shouldn't disregard a qualified medical professional's advise. When determining how much activity they can engage in while receiving therapy, only they will be able to comprehend how this treatment will fit into rehabilitation.

Clinical FAQs

Is there a Certification for Laser Therapy?

The business that sold you the class 4 therapy laser is in charge of providing you and your employees with the necessary training when you buy one for your clinic. There is no national certification required. You will need to appoint a Laser Safety Officer (LSO), and the laser company is also responsible for guiding you through that process.

Can my staff members administer laser therapy treatments?

The majority of states and health care professions agree that this is true. In any situation, medical monitoring is advised, and the doctor should be present when receiving laser therapy. Check with your laser company for more information.

What are the contraindications for laser therapy?

The absolute contraindication is that you do not shine the laser directly into the eye. Relative contraindications include the following:

• Thyroid gland
• Spinal cord stimulators
• Steroid shots
• Pregnancy
• Cancer

It should be mentioned that laser therapy is safe for teenagers with open growth plates, as well as for people who have joint replacements or metal implants.

Can I treat a patient’s head and sinuses?

Yes, it is possible to treat the skull and sinuses. There is no risk when treating the skull and sinuses because the laser light does not reach the eye directly. Laser therapy for sinus issues, symptoms of seasonal allergies, etc., can be quite successful. Only after receiving direct one-on-one training from a competent corporate representative may this procedure be undertaken.

Can I treat a patient with metal implants?

Yes. Laser is a form of light, therefore metal would reflect it. It won't absorb into the metal like ultrasound does and heat it up. For a patient who has undergone surgery, you can safely treat over plates, pins, screws, knee and hip replacements, and even metal clips. Holding a metal object in your palm, scan the laser over the back of your hand to illustrate this. The fact that the metal does not heat up will be apparent to you.

My patient was just injured, or had surgery – how soon can I treat them?

Right away. Laser therapy should be administered as soon as possible after acute injuries, trauma, surgery, etc. If your immediate goal is to help with surgical incision healing, use a setting appropriate for that. Then address the inflammation, bruising and tissue healing.

Are there Side Effects to Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy treatments are non-invasive and use non-ionizing laser light. Therefore, by definition they are very safe. Photobiomodulation treatments with a class 4 therapy laser are one of the safest treatment modalities in a health care office! Occasionally a patient may feel a mild achiness or soreness in the treatment area. We should always warn the patient about this before their first treatment. The increase in blood flow and release of tissue toxins can cause the post-treatment soreness. Reassure the patient that there is no tissue damage, and in fact the soreness is a good sign, that the laser is creating changes in the tissues.