Laser Class IV Therapy
Lasers for DEEP Tissue Therapy
Laser Therapy is used for the relief of pain, to accelerate healing and decrease inflammation. When the light source is placed against the skin, the photons penetrate several centimeters and get absorbed by the mitochondria, the energy producing part of a cell. This energy fuels many positive physiological responses resulting in the restoration of normal cell morphology and function. Laser Therapy has been successfully used to treat a broad range of medical conditions, including musculoskeletal problems, arthritis, sports injuries, post-surgical wounds, diabetic ulcers and dermatological conditions.
The central goal of laser therapy is to stimulate the cell to perform its natural functions, but at an enhanced rate. Targeted in hemoglobin and cytochrome c oxidase, the high power diode laser could help the respiration and then in result have a good performance therapy. In sharp contrast to “Cold lasers” which provide no feeling or sensation, high power diode laser therapy will provide warm and smoothing feeling.
Unlike many pharmacological treatments that mask pain or only address the symptoms of disease, Laser Therapy treats the underlying condition or pathology to promote healing. This means that the treatments are effective and the benefits of Laser Therapy are long lasting.
What are the Benefits of Laser Therapy?
Health Problems That May Benefit From Laser Therapy
Why block the pain when you can treat the problem
Some of the Many Conditions That May Respond to Laser Therapy
Inflammatory Conditions That May Respond to Laser Therapy
- Inflammatory Conditions
- Bursitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Edema
- Effusion
- Epicondylitis
- Inflammation
- Muscle spasms
- Myofasciitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Primary diagnosis Pain
- Radicular pain
- Restricted ROM / stiffness
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Laser Therapy May Also be Used for These Conditions
- Bursitis
- Cervical/neck pain
- Edema
- Effusion
- Fasciitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Inflammation
- Low back pain
- Muscle spasms
- Myofascial Pain
- Primary diagnosis Pain
- Restricted ROM / stiffness
Connective Tissue Injury / Disorders That May Respond to Laser Therapy
- Edema
- Effusion
- Inflammation
- Muscle spasms
- Myofasciitis
- Primary diagnosis Pain
- Radicular pain
- Restricted ROM / stiffness
- Sprains
- Strains
- Tendon Ruptures
- Tendonitis
Muscle Injury / Disorders That May Respond to Laser Therapy
- Edema
- Inflammation
- Muscle bruises, contusions
- Muscle Contractures
- Muscle ruptures
- Muscle spasms
- Myofasciitis
- Myositis
- Restricted ROM / stiffness
Joint Injuries / Disorders That May Respond to Laser Therapy
- Dislocations
- Edema
- Effusion of joint
- Inflammation
- Ligament Injury
- Osteoarthritis
- Diagnosis Pain in joint
- Restricted ROM / stiffness
- TM disorders
Neurological Injury / Disorders That May Respond to Laser Therapy
- Crush injuries
- Decreased ROM / stiffness
- Effusion
- Inflammation
- Muscle spasms
- Myofasciitis
- Neuritis
- Paresthesia
- Primary diagnosis
- Prolapsed disk
- Radicular pain
- Ruptured disk
Skin Injuries / Conditions That May Respond to Laser Therapy
- Burns
- Edema
- Inflammation
- Diagnosis Pain in joint
- Restricted ROM / stiffness
- Skin grafts
- Skin ulcers
- Surgical incisions
Biological Effects
Anti-Inflammation
Laser therapy has an anti-edemic effect as it causes vasodilation, but also because it activates the lymphatic drainage system (drains swollen areas). As a result, there is a reduction in swelling caused by bruising or inflammation.
Anti-Pain (Analgesic)
Laser therapy has a high beneficial effect on nerve cells which block pain transmitted by these cells to the brain and which decreases nerve sensitivity. Also, due to less inflammation, there is less edema and less pain.
Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth
Photons of light from lasers penetrate deeply into tissue and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. The laser light increases the energy available to the cell so that the cell can take on nutrients faster and get rid of waste products.
Increased Metabolic Activity
Laser therapy creates higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells.
Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points
Laser therapy stimulates muscle trigger points and acupuncture points on a non-invasive basis providing musculoskeletal pain relief.
How Laser Therapy Works
Photochemical Action
Studies have shown that when tissue cultures are irradiated by lasers, enzymes within cells absorb energy from laser light. Visible red light and near infrared (NIR) are absorbed within the mitochondria and the cell membrane. This produces higher ATP levels and boosts DNA production, leading to an increase in cellular health and energy.
Therefore, when applied as treatment, lasers have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation as well as stimulate nerve regeneration, muscle relaxation, and immune system response. Lasers have no effect on normal tissues because photons of light are only absorbed and utilized by the cells that need them.
Role of Chromophores
Chromophores are components of various cells and subcellular organelles which absorb light. The stimulation of chromophores on mitochondrial membranes incites the production of ATP. This results in:
Increased cellular energy levels
Pain relief
Accelerated cellular healing
Biological Effects of Laser Therapy
Anti-Inflammation
Laser therapy has an antiedemic effect as it causes vasodilation (the dilation of blood vessels, decreasing blood pressure), but also because it activates the lymphatic drainage system (drains swollen areas). As a result, there is a reduction in swelling caused by bruising or inflammation.
Anti-Pain (Analgesic)
Laser therapy has a high beneficial effect on nerve cells which block pain transmitted by these cells to the brain and which decreases nerve sensitivity. Also, due to less inflammation, there is less edema and less pain. Another pain blocking mechanism involves the production of high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins from the brain and adrenal gland.
Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth
Photons of light from lasers penetrate deep into tissue and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. The laser light increases the energy available to the cell so that the cell can take on nutrients faster and get rid of waste products. As a result of exposure to laser light, the cells of tendons, ligaments, and muscles are repaired faster.
Improved Vascular Activity
Laser light will significantly increase the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue that speeds up the healing process, closes wounds quickly and reduces scar tissue. Additional benefits include acceleration of angiogenesis, which causes temporary vasodilatation, an increase in the diameter of blood vessels.
Increased Metabolic Activity
Laser therapy creates higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen, and food particle loads for blood cells.
Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points
Laser therapy stimulates muscle trigger points and acupuncture points on a non-invasive basis, providing musculoskeletal pain relief.
REDUCED FIBROUS TISSUE FORMATION
Laser therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns, or surgery.
Improved Nerve Function
Slow recovery of nerve functions in damaged tissue can result in numbness and impaired limbs. Laser light speeds up the process of nerve-cell reconnection and increases the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action.
Immunoregulation
Laser light has a direct effect on immunity status by stimulating immunoglobulins and lymphocytes. Laser therapy is absorbed by chromophones (molecule enzymes) that react to laser light. The enzyme flavin mononucleotide is activated and starts the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the major carrier of cell energy and the energy source for all chemical reactions in the cells.
Faster Wound Healing
Laser light stimulates fibroblast development in damaged tissues. Fibroblasts are the building blocks of collagen, which is predominant in wound healing. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair tissue injuries. As a result, laser therapy is effective on open wounds and burns.