Laser Therapy

Are you looking for a safe and effective way to treat pain points around your body? Laser therapy might just provide you with the solution you need. This medical treatment is FDA-cleared and provides everyone with a non-pharmacological and non-invasive method for pain relief. Read on below to find out everything you need to know about laser therapy.

What is Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is a common, non-surgical, and non-invasive way of treating various conditions. It can be used safely on almost every area of the body and can help with both acute and chronic injuries, pain, stiff joints, sore muscles and more. This kind of treatment can deliver precise amounts of energy to each target area, causing minimal damage while providing long-term results.

How Does Laser Therapy Work?

This treatment works through photobiomodulation (PBM), a process where photons are absorbed by several different components of our tissues, called ‘chormophores’.. A sufficient amount of light needs to reach the targeted tissue to get the best therapeutic result. Through this procedure there are various benefits to be gained:

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

By applying stimulation to the specific wavelengths that affect the cell receptors inside our body, laser therapy can modify the effects of injured tissues. As such, it can reduce the overall duration of inflammation, while enhancing the body’s healing and repair capabilities. Here are just a few results that have been observed in various clinical studies as a result of laser therapy:

• 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

Laser therapy can be used to treat chronic and acute conditions, along with post-activity recovery. It can also be used as an alternative to prescription drugs, a pre- and post-surgery treatment for swelling and pain..

Chronic Conditions

When it comes to chronic conditions, research shows that therapy lasers can be used to combat consistent pain along with promoting circulation in damaged tissues. Laser therapy can prove to be a powerful solution when it comes to reducing pain without the side effects that come with medication.

Acute Conditions

Laser therapy has also been effective when it comes to treating acute conditions. It can bring the pain under control swiftly, assist with the healing process, and help to promote better results.

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?

Laser therapy provides the body with a series of healing responses, where patients will feel a wave of soothing warmth which signals the beginning of the process. The modulated cellular activity leads to an improvement in local circulation and decreased pain in the areas being treated. As a result, laser therapy can significantly enhance and accelerate our body’s natural repair and defense mechanisms.

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?

If you’re experiencing pain, laser therapy could be the best option for you. Whether you have muscle spasms, soft tissue problems, sprains or strains, neck or back pain, or other painful injuries or conditions, laser therapy can help. Moreover, laser therapy is FDA-cleared and it adheres to strict ISO standards to ensure that you have a safe and non-invasive alternative to surgery and drugs.

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

If you’ve never had laser treatments done before, it’s only natural to be nervous about your first time. However, many patients report it to be a pleasurable experience, where you will feel warm, soothing and relaxing sensations during your sessions. These feelings are a reflection that your cells are getting the stimulation they need to promote healing.

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?

The results for laser therapy will vary depending on the individual. Some people could notice an immediate improvement in their pain after just one session, while for others it could take several sessions, depending on the condition.

How Much Does Laser Therapy Cost?

Because there are many laser treatments and procedures available, they all serve different purposes and therefore have different costs. Moreover, you will be provided with a personalized laser treatment routine that meets your individual needs. When all of the costs and benefits are analyzed, laser therapy treatments prove to be a very cost-effective health care solution.

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 such, laser therapy is an effective treatment for chronic and acute conditions, along with post-activity recovery. It can also be used as an alternative to prescription drugs, , and can also be used as pre- and post-surgery treatment since it helps to control pain.

Is Laser Therapy Safe?

Laser therapy devices were cleared by the FDA in 2003 for the efficacious and safe increase of micro-circulation and reduction of pain. As such, therapy lasers are an effective and safe option for treatments that involve musculoskeletal pain as a result of injury. The biggest risk when it comes to laser therapy is to our eyes — this is why we always use certified, protective eyewear in each one of our laser therapy treatments.

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 also report that getting treatments using higher-power lasers can rapidly decrease the pain in their muscles, thus further helping with their recovery. Those who suffer from chronic pain can also see that this effect is certainly pronounced, which is why laser therapy is a great solution for treating all kinds of pain.

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

Most laser therapy plans will provide around 6 to 12 treatments, with more treatments required for long-standing chronic conditions. You only need to speak to your doctor to develop a treatment plan that’s best for you and your condition.

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

High-power lasers can provide plenty of energy in just a short amount of time, which allows patients to receive therapeutic dosages quickly. Laser therapy sessions are a must for patients and clinicians who are always packed since they provide fast and effective treatments.

How Long Will it Take to See a Difference?

Patients will often report an improvement in their sensation which includes some analgesia and therapeutic warmth immediately right after their treatment. To get a more noticeable change in symptoms and conditions, it’s best to undergo several treatments. The effects of laser therapy get better and better from one treatment to the next, which is why many are eager to reap its benefits.

How Often Should a Patient Get Treatments?

Many clinicians encourage their patients to get 2 to 3 treatments each week at the beginning of their treatment. Because the benefits of laser therapy are cumulative, experts suggest incorporating laser therapy in a patient’s plan of care. This should be done in the early stages, as frequent treatments can help to hasten the recovery process. As the symptoms resolve, treatments may be administered less frequently.

Do Patients Need to Limit Activities?

Getting laser therapy won’t limit a person’s ability to move around, but the current stage of the healing process and the nature of a specific pathology will determine the appropriate level of activity they may undergo while recovery. Even if the treatment reduces pain which can make it easier to do various activities, this shouldn’t overshadow the advice of an expert medical professional. Only they will understand how this treatment will fit into rehabilitation when deciding how much activity they can do while getting treatment.

Does Insurance Cover Laser Therapy?

In general, insurance won’t reimburse patients for laser treatments even if there are codes that may be used to submit for such services. Laser therapy treatments are usually seen as a cash transaction between the patient and the clinic, where the average cost of treatment will vary throughout the country. Luckily, many clinics will provide discounts when patients purchase packages.

Clinical FAQs

Is there a Certification for Laser Therapy?

When you purchase a class 4 therapy laser for your clinic, the company that sold your equipment is responsible for proper training for you and your staff members. 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?

In most states, and in most health care professions the answer is yes. In all cases, Doctor supervision is recommended, with the physician on the premises during laser therapy treatments. 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 noted that it is safe to laser adolescents with open growth plates and to laser directly over metal implants and joint replacements.

Can I treat a patient’s head and sinuses?

Yes, you can treat over the skull and sinuses. When you are treating the skull and sinuses, the laser light is not entering directly into the eye, so there is no danger. Laser treatment for sinus problems, seasonal allergy symptoms, etc. can be very effective. This treatment should only be attempted after direct one-on-one training from a qualified company representative.

Can I treat a patient with metal implants?

Yes. Laser is light and would be reflected from the metal. It will not get absorbed and heat- up the metal like ultrasound does. You can safely treat over plates, pins, screws, knee, and hip replacements, and even metal clips for a patient who has had surgery. To demonstrate this, hold a metal object in your hand and run the laser over the back of your hand. You will be able to feel that the metal does not heat up.

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.