what is laser therapy?

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Laser Therapy
By Steven M. Maffei, D.C.

Dr. Maffei using Laser Therapy on a patient with elbow tendonitis

 

Therapeutic Medical Laser technology has made dramatic advances over the last 25 years. Low level laser therapy offers safe, efficient, and painless treatment for various musculoskeletal conditions. Most notably, carpal tunnel syndrome. In 2002, the Microlight ML830 devices were cleared by the FDA for the treatment and management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, then cleared again by the FDA in early 2004 for the adjunctive use in treating pain. Low Level Laser Therapy has proven to be effective in many forms of therapeutic medicine and pain management condition including:

  • Arthritis
  • Repetitive Stress Injuries
  • Sprains & Strains
  • Golfers Elbow
  • Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Burns
  • Acne
  • Migraine Headaches
  • Tendinitis
  • Post-Operative Pain
  • Pressure Sores
  • Cysts
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Swelling & Inflammation
  • Herpes Simplex
  • Heal Spurs/Plantar Fascitis
Mechanism of Action: Therapeutic lasers work by supplying energy to the body in the form of nonthermal photons of light. Low level laser energy is transmitted through the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. Light sensitive tissue proteins(chromophores and cytochromes) absorb external energy. When converted to chemical energy, it can be used by the cells to accelerate the normal rate of tissue healing.

How Does Low Level Laser Therapy Work: Low level lasers supply energy to the body in the form of non-thermal photons of light. Light is transmitted through the skin's layers(the dermis, epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin) at all wavelengths in the visible range. However, light waves in the near infrared ranges penetrate the deepest of all light waves in the visible spectrum. When low level laser light waves penetrate deeply into the skin, they optimize the immune responses of our blood. This has both anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. It is a scientific fact that light transmitted to the blood in this way has positive effects throughout the whole body, supplying vital oxygen and energy to every cell.

The Physiological Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy:
  1. Biostimulation
    • improved metabolism
    • increase of cell metabolism
  2. Improved blood circulation and vasodilatation
  3. Analgesic effect
  4. Anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects
  5. Stimulation of wound healing

How Does Low Level Laser Therapy Benefit Users?
  • Relieves acute and chronic pain
  • Increases the speed , quality and tensile strength of tissue repair
  • Stimulates the immune system
  • Stimulates nerve function
  • Develops collagen and muscle tissue
  • Helps generate new and healthy cells and tissue
  • Promotes faster wound healing and clot formation
  • Reduces inflammation
In October of 2004, the Chiropractic Center of Warren introduced Laser Therapy to the practice and the results have been outstanding, especially on carpal tunnel syndrome and various other overuse injuries (eg. tendonitis, bursitis).