There was a time when lasers used to just be a staple of sci-fi stories and futuristic flights of fancy. However, now lasers are incredibly commonplace when it comes to medicine. In fact, lasers are used for everything from noninvasive laser therapy to state-of-the-art surgeries. Today, many different health professionals including physical therapists use physical therapy laser treatment to help their patients feel better. The best thing about therapeutic lasers used for pain relief is that they are highly effective. In addition, they are completely safe, non-invasive, and drug-free.
Does Laser Therapy Treatment Really Work?
Physical therapists use lasers to help relieve pain in patients who experience chronic pain. There are different types of laser devices and types of laser treatments that can be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
Ultimately, lasers are highly focused light energy that is amplified into a specific area. Lasers that are used in medicine come in two varieties, cold and hot. Hot lasers are high-power lasers that are usually used in surgeries. On the other hand, cold lasers or low-level lasers are usually used for pain relief. They also aid in speeding tissue repair and the general healing process.
Cold lasers work by bombarding a specific area with photons (light energy) which stimulates the body’s natural healing process.
It does this at a cellular level and increases the circulation of blood and oxygen to damaged cells. Using a therapeutic laser helps to reduce inflammation and improve function while it also reduces pain.
This enhanced healing effect lasts for up to 18 to 24 hours after your laser treatment ends.
Physical therapists use lasers to help relieve pain in patients who experience chronic pain. There are different types of laser devices and types of laser treatments that can be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
There Are Different Types Of Lasers Used In Healthcare
Ultimately, lasers are highly focused light energy that is amplified into a specific area. Lasers that are used in medicine come in two varieties, cold and hot. Hot lasers are high-power lasers that are usually used in surgeries. On the other hand, cold lasers or low-level lasers are usually used for pain relief. They also aid in speeding tissue repair and the general healing process.
Cold lasers work by bombarding a specific area with photons (light energy) which stimulates the body’s natural healing process. It does this at a cellular level and increases the circulation of blood and oxygen to damaged cells. Using a therapeutic laser helps to reduce inflammation and improve function while it also reduces pain. This enhanced healing effect lasts for up to 18 to 24 hours after your laser treatment ends.
Laser therapy has been found to be very effective in treating chronic pain and enhancing the healing process. It has also been proven to be effective at treating conditions such as:
- Back and Neck Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Degenerative Joint Conditions
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Neurogenic Pain
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Tendinitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Myofascical Trigger Points
- Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Sprains, Strains
What Are the Side Effects of Physical Therapy Laser Therapy Treatment?
Most lasers used in physical therapy are class IV lasers which are used for deep tissue laser therapy. Moreover, there are no known side effects to this type of therapy. The procedure itself doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort. Most patients experience a warming sensation from the laser light during the treatment that they generally describe as pleasant. Above all, laser therapy is:
- Noninvasive: it doesn’t break the skin and there is no healing time required.
- Drug Free: There are no drugs needed with laser therapy. In fact, laser therapy has helped many people find pain relief without the use of any medication at all.
- Risk Free: There are no side effects with laser therapy, so there is no risk in trying it.
How Long Does a Therapeutic Laser Treatment Take?
Most laser therapy treatments take around ten to twenty minutes, depending on where and what the treatment is for. You will likely need five to ten treatments before you notice a significant improvement in your condition.
If you want to see what laser therapy can do for you, schedule a consultation with our specialists today.
head to look over my shoulder. It made it difficult to drive safely because I couldn’t look at my blindspot. Scott used manual manipulation, stretching exercises and laser treatments to loosen the muscles in my neck. I now have full range of motion in my neck and the popping sensation has stopped. In my case it took a few weeks but was well worth it. The office staff was pleasant and helpful.
Nancy Christensen
Laser therapy is a safe and effective option for dealing with pain reduction, so don’t wait any longer to find relief. Give RX Rehab Physical Therapy a call today to learn if it’s right for you.