Pain Treatment Through Laser Therapy
Laser therapy has been shown to produce the next physiological and biological effects. 10 Quick Facts.
1. ACCELERATED TISSUE REPAIR AND CELL GROWTH
Photons of light from lasers penetrate into tissue and accelerate cellular growth and reproduction. Laser therapy escalates the energy open to the cell so that it can work faster, better, and quickly remove waste material. When cells of tendons, ligaments, and muscles face laser light they repair and heal faster.
2. FASTER WOUND HEALING
Laser light increases collagen production by stimulating fibroblasts. Collagen may be the foundation of tissue repair and healing. Laser therapy increases fibroblast activity and therefore collagen production to speed healing.
3. REDUCED FIBROUS TISSUE FORMATION
Low level laser therapy decreases scar tissue formation. Scar tissue can be quite a source of chronic pain and poor healing. By eliminating excessive scar tissue and encouraging proper collage production, painful scars and chronic pain is reduced.
4. ANTI-INFLAMMATION
Laser therapy causes vasodilatation, or increases blood circulation. In addition, it increases lymphatic drainage to decrease swelling or edema from accumulating. Therefore, laser therapy reduces swelling due to bruising or inflammation while speeding the healing process.
5. PAIN RELIEF
K Laser therapy decreases pain by blocking pain signals to the mind. Some nerve cells sense pain and send signals to the mind. This protective mechanism can be overly stimulating producing chronic pain and nerve sensitivity. Also by decreasing the inflammation and edema, it further decreases the pain sensation. Laser therapy also increases endorphins and enkephalins, which block pain signals and decrease pain sensation. The laser therapy decreases the painful nerve signals and increases mechanisms to decrease pain.
6. INCREASED BLOOD FLOW
In your body increased blood flow usually means increased healing. Blood carries nutrients and building blocks to the tissue, and carries waste material away. Laser therapy escalates the formation of small arteries or capillaries in damaged tissue. Increased arteries and blood circulation improves the body's ability to heal and repair.
7. INCREASED REPAIR AND REGENERATION
Laser therapy increases enzyme activity to improve metabolic activity that affects cell repair and regeneration. The enzymes are turned on "high" to speed the healing.
8. NERVE FUNCTION AND REPAIR
Nerves can heal very slowly or have difficulty to totally heal. Lasers increase this process. Damage to specific nerves produces numbness, impaired function, or increased pain. Laser therapy treatments speed the amplitude of action potentials to revive nerve function and reduce pain.
9. INCREASED ENERGY PRODUCTION - ATP
Certain enzymes (chromophores) could be activated to increase cellular production of ATP. ATP is like gasoline for cells, it is the energy source that cells operate. Injured cells often have low levels of ATP, which decreases their capability to heal and repair. By increasing ATP and "gasoline storage levels," cells have significantly more ATP to work and repair. This process is particularly important with nerve pain.
10. ACUPRESSURE AND TRIGGER POINTS
Low level laser therapy decreases trigger points and stimulates acupuncture points to decrease muscle and pain.
Low Level Laser Therapy Treatments
Laser Therapy has been useful for used in Europe for treatment of pain and to speed healing. FDA began clearing lasers for pain and medical treatments over the last twenty years. With an increase of technology lasers have become smaller and portable to be used in a clinical setting. Further studies and research show significant benefits to healing and pain reduction. We have been proud to own newest Class IV K Laser to help our patients making use of their chronic pain. We have seen tremendous results combining the laser therapy with our physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic treatments.
The study, technology advancements, and medical acceptance of laser light treatments have increased the quantity of facilities providing laser light treatments. However, not all lasers can provide the same level of treatment. We've had a Class III laser going back 6 years and saw benefits. But it was limited in its application, depth of penetration, and in its effectiveness.
YOU CAN FIND 3 MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TREATMENTS OF CLASS III AND IV LASERS
1. Many lasers can only just produce one therapeutic wavelength, while some can produce multiple wavelengths. Every wavelength produces different therapeutic effects on the body. Lasers that only produce one wavelength won't provide the same degree of therapy as lasers with an increase of wavelengths.
2. Pulses per second - Or the variation of time the laser is on per second. The body responds easier to laser's that may change their pulses per second in comparison to a continuous rate laser. Imagine a flash light the flickers at different intervals compared to a light that's continuously on. class 4 laser therapy enhances the advantages of lasers.
3. Most significantly, there can be a massive power difference between lasers. Joules are units of energy measurements, while watts are the level of Joules per second that a laser can produce.
Some Class III lasers produce 6 Joules per minute, while the K laser can produce over 500 Joules per minute. This greater energy production is directly related to its effectiveness and results. A Class III laser does provide therapeutic benefit but it is limited when compared to the K Laser.
The K Laser has four treatment wavelengths utilizing specific programs to improve healing and effectiveness. The programs are made to produce maximal treatment efficiency for specific body regions and injury types.