|
Laser Therapy
Therapist
Stephen Fallon MIAPT
 What
is Low Level Laser Therapy?
Low-level laser
therapy, sometimes referred to as Cold Laser Therapy, is a painless, sterile,
non-invasive, drug-free treatment which is used to treat a variety of pain
syndromes, injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions and pathologies.
Laser therapy can be used any time a patient needs a non-invasive procedure for
the control of pain, when conventional therapies have been ineffective, or when
the acceleration of healing from injuries is desired.
Laser
therapy has been successfully used around
the
world for over 25 years, with no reported long-term or irreversible side
effects. Laser has been cleared by the FDA for the treatment of Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome and other joint and muscle problems. It has successfully treated
chronic and acute pain, wounds, sports injuries, and more.
 How does it work?
Low-level lasers
supply energy to the body in the form of non-thermal photons of light. Light is
transmitted through the skin's layers (the dermis, epidermis and the
subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin) at all wavelengths in the
visible range. However, light waves in the near infrared ranges penetrate the
deepest of all light waves in the visible spectrum.
When low level laser light waves penetrate deeply into the skin, they optimize
the immune responses of our blood. This has both anti-inflammatory and
immunosuppressive effects. It is a scientific fact that light transmitted to the
blood in this way has positive effective through-out the whole body, supplying
vital oxygen and energy to every cell. The laser may also be
focussed on trigger
points helping to deactivate them and easing deep muscle pain. LLLT can be used
directly after injury unlike ultra-sound
 What
to expect during treatment
For most people,
laser therapy is quite passive. Some patients have reported a slight tingling
or tapping in a nerve or along a nerve pathway. Some have noted that they are
able to sense a slight feeling of warmth. But for the most part, the treatment,
which may last from 15 to 30 minutes, is not noticed at all.
Following (and even during) a laser therapy session, approximately 75-80% of
patients being treated can notice an immediate improvement in their condition.
This will depend primarily on the type of condition and the length of time the
condition has been present.
Generally, the more chronic or severe the condition, the longer it takes to
respond. The majority of conditions treated will take anywhere from 4-15
treatments. Once again, the number of treatments depends upon the severity of
the condition and its duration. There are some conditions that will never
completely resolve but can be helped and maintained with laser therapy. If your
condition does not change immediately, it may take 3-4 sessions before a
dramatic or marked change is perceived.
 Healing
Research has
shown that LLLT helps to speed up the healing process in the acute stages. In
the more chronic stages LLLT helps to boost the healing process again as it has
become sluggish over time. Patients can notice there symptoms becoming more
noticeable after treatment. This is normal as the body has been stimulated in a
way that promotes healing. This increase in symptoms normally subside over 24
hours.
Example of conditions LLLT is used for
Arthritis
Neck Pain
Back Pain Whiplash
Bursitis
Post-Operative Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Fibromyalgia
TMJ Pain/Dysfunction
Heel Spurs
Tendonitis
Plantar Fasciitis Tennis Elbow
Headaches
Sprains/Strains
Swelling
Wounds
| 
