LASER Therapy is use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near infrared) to generate a photochemical response in damaged or dysfunctional tissue.
The therapy is painless and totally non-invasive. There is just a deep, gentle warmth as your body's cells respond to the light. The LASER works by creating an increase of vasodilatation (blood supply), bringing in oxygen to the cells. It stimulates the lymphatic system, pulling edema and inflammation from the area. ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) production is stimulated in the cells helping them have the energy to function normally. The pain reflex is broken, offering immediate relief.LASER Therapy: A Breakthrough Approach
Cold laser therapy, otherwise know as Low-level laser therapy, uses light and photon energy to stimulate cellular metabolism. Cold laser therapy has been demonstrated effective in the treatment of a variety of painful and inflamed conditions of the soft tissues and joints such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, back pain, sport injuries. Cold laser has the unique property of being able to penetrate up to two inches below the skin surface, causing an increase in cellular metabolism with no tissue damage whatsoever. LASER therapy can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery from a wide range of acute and chronic clinical conditions. Significant reduction in edema (swelling) has been noted as well as tissues are better able to move fluids out through lymphatic drainage pathways.Cleared by the FDA in 2003, Class IV LASER therapy has become standard of care for many musculoskeletal injuries. Class IV LASERs can penetrate over 4 inches into the deep musculoskeletal tissue. The number of treatments required depends on the nature of the problem and the length of time the patient has been affected by it. Some conditions may be resolved with as few as one treatment. However, chronic and/or deep-seated conditions may take as many as 10 treatments.
LASER therapy technology has been recently endorsed by professional organizations such as the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). There are no known side effects from LASER therapy and the results are long lasting.
LASER Therapy has been proven to be effective for a wide variety of conditions. Some of them include:
Soft Tissue Injuries
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Degenerative Joint Conditions
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Chronic Non-Healing Wounds
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Other Illnesses
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How does the LASER treatment work?
Treatment for pain is performed by the physical therapist by placing the LASER in contact with the skin allowing the photon energy to penetrate tissue, where it interacts with various intracellular bio molecules resulting in the restoration of normal cell function. This enhances and essentially speeds the body's natural healing processes. The treatment process results in a disappearance of symptoms. Additionally, the immune system response is stimulated, Lymphatic drainage is improved, production of growth hormone is increased, and the body's natural healing processes are enhanced and essentially sped up.What are the effects of LASER therapy?
Physiological Effects:
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Biochemical Effects:
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