About Laser Therapy

What is Low-Level Laser or Low-Light Therapy?
Low-level laser and LED therapy or “photobiostimulation”, is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to create therapeutic effects. These effects include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation, and decreased swelling. The light may be provided by a cluster of low power laser diodes or light-emitting diodes (LED).

What is its history?
The effects of red light on cellular function have been known since 1880. However, the clinical benefits were only discovered by accident during laser safety tests in 1967. The first low-power lasers suitable for treating pain became available commercially in the late 1970’s, and ever since then, laser therapy has been widely utilized in Europe by physical therapists, nurses, and doctors. Now, after FDA approval in 2001, laser therapy is quickly gaining popularity in the USA.

Has effectiveness been demonstrated scientifically?
Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of laser therapy. Among these, there are more than one hundred rigorously controlled, scientific studies that document the effectiveness of laser for many clinical conditions.

Research on the Benefits of Laser Therapy

What health problems have shown benefits from Laser or Light Therapy?

SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

DEGENERATIVE JOINT CONDITIONS

NEUROGENIC PAIN

CHRONIC NON-HEALING WOUNDS

What does the research demonstrate?

- Injuries treated with laser therapy heal faster.
- Laser Therapy has a strengthening effect on tissue repair.
- Laser Therapy improves blood flow & lymphatic drainage.
- It is an effective means of relief for many pain syndromes.
- It can improve immune response.

What advantages does Laser Therapy have over conventional forms of therapy?

Because it does not require the use of drugs or surgery, there are less side effects or risks, and it is quick and convenient. Studies have shown that it is equal to or more effective than other forms of physical therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it hurt? What does a treatment feel like?
There is little or no sensation during treatment – occasionally one feels a mild, soothing warmth, or tingling.

Are there any side effects or associated risks?
During more than 20 years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have been reported. Occasionally, some old injuries or pain may feel aggravated for a few days, as the healing response is more active after treatment.

How long does each treatment take?
The typical course of treatment is 5 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated.

How often should a patient be treated?
Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week, tapering to once a week or once every other week, when there is improvement.

How many treatments does it take?
This depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions 1-6 treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require 10 to 15 treatments or more. Conditions such as severe arthritis may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.

How long before the results are felt?
You may feel improvement in your condition (usually pain reduction) after the very first treatment. Sometimes you will not feel improvement for a number of treatments. This does not mean that nothing is happening. Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 3 or 4 sessions.

Can it be used in conjunction with acupuncture?
Yes. We often find that laser therapy speeds up the healing process. Thus it increases the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment.

Clinical Cases …

History: Female patient C, 49-years old, complaining of pain in both knees. She was diagnosed one year ago with bilateral chondromalacia patellae with “bone-on-bone” articulation in the patellofemoral joints. Past treatment included physical therapy. The pain worsened when climbing stairs. She would like to avoid surgery if at all possible.
Treatment plan: Low-level laser therapy and far-infrared heat treatment 2 times a week for 5 weeks
Results: Patient felt improvements after 2 treatments. She claimed, “felt best ever” after 3rd treatment. Started working out in a gym after 4th treatment. Patient reported minimal pain after 11 treatments.

Case 2 – Slow healing wound
History: Male patient F, 82-years old, complained of his slow healing wound after surgery.  The wound size measured 5 cm wide, 4 cm long, and 1 cm deep when he came to our clinic.
Treatment Plan: 20-minute LED light therapy followed by 30-second Low level laser therapy around the edge of the wound. Daily treatment for the first week. Then one week off (patient took vacation). Followed by daily treatment for 2 weeks. Tapered down to 3 times a week and then to 2 times a week until healed.
Results: The wound size shrank to 4 cm wide after 2 weeks, 3 cm in 3 weeks, and 1.5 cm in 6 weeks. Completely healed in 8 weeks.

We use FDA-cleared Laser and LED devices from Thor International, England (www.thorlaser.com), Apollo Physical Therapy Products (www.apollopt.com), and Meditech International (www.meditech-bioflex.com).

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