Chiropractors began using laser therapy as an adjunct to their treatment to treat a variety of ailments. Therapeutic laser provides patients with a safe, effective and painless therapy that uses the body’s own natural healing systems to relieve pain, increase joint mobility, increase tissue integrity and promote cell regeneration. The lasers work by supplying energy to the body in the form of billions of photons of light. The body absorbs the laser light on a cellular level and transforms it into chemical energy, which the body then uses to commence its own tissue repairs. The bio-stimulating effects of laser therapy cause a decrease in inflammation and pain and an increase in tissue regeneration and healing.
Laser Therapy has been shown to:
- Decrease inflammation of the injury
- Increase blood flow
- Decrease pain experienced
- Minimize formation of scar tissue formation
- Grow new, healthy tissue to repair damage
- Decrease the need for pharmaceuticals, such as painkillers and anti-inflammatories
- Speed up recovery times
This amazing therapy modality can be used over metal implants, rods or pins and the therapist can begin treatment immediately after an injury!
The Benefits of Laser Therapy:
Rapid Cell Growth – Laser light accelerates cellular reproduction and growth.
Tissue Repair – Laser light stimulates tissue repair at the cellular level resulting in accelerated reproduction and growth.
Increased Metabolic Activity – Higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells and thus greater production of the basic food source for cells.
Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation – Laser light reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns or post-surgery.
Anti-Inflammatory Action – Laser light reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints to give enhanced joint mobility.
Increased Vascular Activity – Laser light increases nutrient delivery to damaged tissue through increased blood flow.
Stimulated Nerve Function – Slow recovery of nerve function in damaged tissue can result in “dead limbs” or numb areas. Laser light speeds the process of nerve cell reconnection to bring the numb areas back to life.
Common questions about Laser Therapy:
Can lasers cause tissue to burn?
No, there are two general types of medical lasers: high-power lasers which cut through tissue and low-power lasers which stimulate tissue repair.
Are lasers harmful?
No, low-level lasers used for tissue stimulation are not strong enough to damage cells; so even if they were used 24 hours a day, they would not be able to harm you.
How long does laser therapy take?
Treatment time will vary from as little as 5 minutes to as long as 20 minutes. The total number of treatments required varies between 5 to 25 depending on the body’s natural healing rate and the severity of the condition.