Laser therapy is the medical treatment that uses focused the light to stimulate a process called photobiomodulation, or PBM. During PBM, photons enter tissues and interact with the cytochrome c complex within the mitochondria. This interaction triggers a biological chain of events that increases cellular metabolism, reduces pain, reduces muscle spasm, and improves microcirculation to affected tissues. This treatment is the FDA approved and provides patients with a non-surgical, non-drug alternative to pain relief.
How does laser treatment work?
The laser treatment works by stimulating a process called photobiomodulation (PBM) in which photons enter tissues and interact with the cytochrome C complex within the mitochondria. To get the best therapeutic results from laser treatment, a sufficient amount of light should reach the target tissues. Factors that maximize target tissue reach include:
- Light wavelength
- Reduce reflections
- Reduce unwanted absorption
- Power
Treatment solutions
Laser therapy is used to treat acute and chronic conditions as well as recovery after activity. It is also used as another option for prescription medications, a tool to prolong the need for certain surgeries, as well as pre- and post-operative treatment to help control pain and swelling.
Acute conditions
Laser therapy has been shown to be effective to help treat severe cases. Getting the pain under control quickly aids the healing process and usually helps promote better outcomes.
Chronic diseases
In chronic cases, research has shown that therapeutic lasers can be used to help combat persistent pain and promote blood circulation to damaged tissue. It can be a powerful non-drug solution to help reduce pain without the side effects of medications.
Recovery after activity
LightForce® Therapy Lasers can be found on the sidelines of many professional, collegiate and Olympic sports teams across the United States and many parts of Europe and Asia. Laser therapy has been shown to be effective in improving recovery times after activity and reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Class IV laser treatment
What is Class IV laser treatment? Effective administration of laser therapy is a direct function of the strength and time as it relates to the dose provided. Administration of the optimal treatment dose to patients produces consistent positive results. Class IV therapeutic lasers deliver more energy to deep structures in less time. This ultimately helps provide a dose of energy that leads to positive, repeatable results. The higher wattage also results in faster treatment times and provides changes in pain complaints that cannot be achieved with low-power lasers. The LightForce® laser offers a level of versatility unmatched by other Class I, II and IIIB lasers due to its ability to treat both superficial and deep tissue conditions.
Effectiveness
Laser treatment causes a series of therapeutic responses in your body. During the treatment, you will feel soothing warmth that marks the beginning of a process of altered cellular activity that leads to reduced pain and improved blood circulation in the treated area. Successful treatment programs require multiple treatments, and the number of weeks depends on the condition and severity of symptoms.
What is the purpose of laser treatment?
Laser therapy, or photobiomodulation, is a process where photons enter tissues and interact with the cytochrome c complex within the cell’s mitochondria. The result of this interaction, and the goal of laser therapy treatments, is the biological sequence of events that leads to an increase in cellular metabolism (promoting tissue healing) and a reduction in pain. Laser therapy is used to treat acute and chronic conditions as well as recovery after activity. It is also used as another option for prescription medications, a tool to prolong the need for certain surgeries, as well as pre- and post-operative treatment to help control pain.
Is laser treatment painful? How does laser treatment feel?
Laser treatments must be administered directly to the skin, because laser light cannot penetrate the layers of clothing. You will feel soothing warmth during treatment. Many patients receiving LightForce® Therapy Laser treatments have reported enjoying the experience, especially when the massage ball treatment head is used to deliver what is often referred to as “laser massage.”
Patients who frequently receive high-energy laser treatments also report a rapid reduction in pain. For someone with chronic pain, this effect can be especially pronounced. Laser treatment for pain can be a practical treatment.
Is laser treatment safe?
Class IV laser therapy devices (now called photodynamic bio modulation) were approved in 2004 by the FDA to safely and effectively reduce pain and increase microcirculation. Therapeutic lasers are safe and effective treatment options for reducing musculoskeletal pain caused by injury.
How long is the treatment session?
With the LightForce® laser, treatments are usually quick from 3 to 10 minutes depending on the size, depth and severity of the condition being treated. A high-powered laser is able to deliver a lot of energy in a small amount of time, allowing therapeutic doses to be obtained quickly. For patients and doctors with packed schedules, quick and effective treatments are a must.
How often will I need laser treatment?
Most doctors will encourage their patients to have 2-3 treatments per week when they start treatment. There is well-documented support that the benefits of laser treatment are cumulative, indicating that plans to incorporate lasers as part of a patient’s care plan should include early and frequent treatments that can be administered less frequently as symptoms resolve.
How many treatment sessions will I need?
The nature of the condition and the patient’s response to treatments will play a major role in determining the number of treatments required. Most laser treatment plans include 6-12 treatments, with more treatment required for long-term chronic conditions. Your doctor will develop an optimal treatment plan for your condition.