Treatment FAQ

how is laser treatment for muscle

by Mr. Laron Larson MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Laser therapy has only recently been used in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, but is proving more effective than NSAIDs or cryotherapy. Laser therapy for muscle recovery can help by stimulating the peripheral nerves and improving regional circulation.Sep 10, 2018

Full Answer

What is the best laser therapy machine?

  • Easy to operate
  • Portable
  • Pain-free and non-invasive
  • No side effects
  • Reduces swelling

What is the best treatment for muscle pain?

  • Blood tests to check enzyme, hormone and electrolyte levels and test for infections.
  • MRI or CT scan to look for muscle injury or damage.
  • Electromyography to measure electrical activity in nerves and muscles.
  • Muscle biopsy to look for muscle tissue changes that may indicate neuromuscular diseases.

What is Class 4 Laser therapy?

This includes:

  • High intensity laser therapy devices
  • Cosmetic hair removal laser devices
  • Surgical lasers, such as those used in LASIK eye procedures
  • Laser light show projectors

How you can use lasers to heal injuries?

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Does laser therapy work on muscles?

Laser therapy can be used in the treatment of back pain, arthritis, muscle strains, fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and shoulder pain, plantar fasciitis, and even tennis elbow. In short, virtually any kind of chronic pain can be effectively treated by using laser therapy.

How long does it take for laser therapy to work?

Laser therapy provides you with a safe and effective alternative to drugs and surgery. Most patients see results within 3 to 5 short treatments.

How long does it take for deep tissue laser therapy to work?

When should I feel the results? The effect of the laser can sometimes be felt almost immediately after the session but commonly it takes a few hours for noticeable relief to occur. The biggest benefit from laser therapy is from the cumulative effect of repeated sessions 2-3 days per week.

Does laser therapy speed up tissue healing process?

Lasers accelerate the body's natural healing processes by using a wavelength of light to increase blood flow at the wound site. This type of therapy can help reduce pain, accelerate tissue repair, heal wounds, and improve nerve function and vascular activity.

What are the side effects of laser therapy?

What are the risks?bleeding.infection.pain.scarring.changes in skin color.

What happens after laser therapy?

Some risks such as bleeding, pain, and infection are created after laser therapy. Explanation and evaluation of laser effects on cell function, tissue, and the body are the aims of this study. We reviewed papers available from 1986 to 2019 about the effects of lasers on cells and tissue.

Who is the ideal patient for laser therapy?

Laser therapy is ideal for patients who have wounds that have not responded to conventional treatment, suffer from chronic wounds, such as diabetics, and have burns or surgical incisions that are not healing. There are no known side effects and treatments are safe, fast and trouble-free.

Does deep tissue laser therapy hurt?

We assure you that these treatments are pain-free, fast (lasting about 5 to 10 minutes) and extremely effective. Results can be immediate, but the most observed results are after 3 to 5 treatment sessions.

Why do chiropractors use lasers?

Chiropractors use laser technology to target the treatment area more precisely. Cold laser therapy can pinpoint a treatment area more accurately and deliver effective treatment to promote healing and reduce downtime associated with chronic pain.

Does laser treatment help with inflammation?

Deep tissue laser therapy stimulates and accelerates healing and tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, and restores normal cellular function. Laser therapy is beneficial for treating the pain and inflammation associated with the following conditions: Neck and shoulder pain.

Does laser help nerve pain?

Conclusions. Deep tissue laser therapy significantly reduced pain and improved the quality of life of older patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Can lasers heal tissues?

Faster Wound Healing: “Laser light stimulates the building blocks of collagen, which is important in the wound healing of damaged tissues. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair injuries. As a result, the laser is effective on open wounds and burns.”

How does laser therapy help with muscle injury?

As a result, cells begin to close wounds fast and reduce scar tissue. Other benefits of laser therapy include blood vessel development and dilation, which help in quick muscle injury recovery .

How does laser therapy work?

The laser therapy procedure involves the penetration of photons deeply into cells, which causes accelerated cellular reproduction. It increases energy in the cells and tissues, allowing them to take on essential nutrients fast and flush out waste products. The cells of muscles, ligaments, and tendons repair themselves more quickly due to laser light exposure.

How does laser therapy affect the immune system?

Laser therapy has direct effects on the immune system by stimulating the lymphocytes and immunoglobulins. Molecular enzymes rapidly absorb photons in the muscles. For instance, it activates flyomono-nucleotide, an enzyme that plays a key role in adenosine-tri-phosphate (ATP) production. Bear in mind that ATP is the major carrier of energy in cells and trigger important cellular reactions.

What is the function of laser therapy?

Unlike medications that can fluctuate metabolic activity in cells, laser therapy triggers useful enzymes and allows blood cells to carry more oxygen to the damaged areas.

How does laser therapy help with edema?

Laser therapy dilates blood vessels and reduces the effects of edema on cells. It activates the lymphatic system and allows tissues to drain swollen areas, which leads to decreased inflammation and bruising.

What are the two main types of muscle injuries?

The two main types of muscle injuries are acute (traumatic) and chronic (overuse) injuries.

What is pulled muscle?

A pulled muscle also called muscle strain, is characterized by an overstretched or torn muscle. Research studies have highlighted fatigue, overuse, and improper use as the main causes of muscle injury. Strains can occur in any muscle, but they are more common in the shoulders, neck, hamstring, and lower back.

What is the purpose of lasers in physical therapy?

Stem Cell Activation: “Laser increases the number of stem cells, which enhances healing.”. High-power lasers are typically found in physical therapy clinics and chiropractic offices. Neck, back or joint pain usually responds quickly to laser therapy. “Lasers are also very effective for inflammatory conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, ...

How does laser therapy help with cell damage?

Laser also causes a widening of the arteries and veins around the injury which helps to remove damaged cellular debris and increase nutrients and oxygen. White blood cell activity is enhanced leading to a more rapid repair process.

What are the different types of lasers used in physical therapy?

Two Types or Classes Used in Physical Therapy. There are two classes of lasers being used in physical therapy; class 3 and 4. “Class 3 lasers are less than 500 milliwatts (mw) in power while class 4 lasers are greater than 500 mw,” Dr. Coren said. Class 3 lasers are sometimes referred to as cold lasers, and the therapy may be called LLLT ...

What is class 3 laser?

Class 3 lasers are sometimes referred to as cold lasers, and the therapy may be called LLLT for low-level laser therapy. In contrast, class 4 laser therapy is sometimes called HPLT for high-power laser therapy. “The majority of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions respond better to a higher power and a higher dosage, ...

Why is laser healing so fast?

Faster Wound Healing: “Laser light stimulates the building blocks of collagen, which is important in the wound healing of damaged tissues. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair injuries. As a result, the laser is effective on open wounds and burns.”. Stem Cell Activation: “Laser increases the number ...

How many joules does a laser have?

A 10-minute treatment with a 30-watt laser will produce 18,000 joules, which gives a significant pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and healing effect.”. Patients usually begin to feel better after 1 or 2 treatments, although 5 or more may be needed to resolve the problem. “The more chronic and extensive the injury the more treatments are usually ...

How deep does laser energy penetrate?

Once you are in the infrared spectrum and above 800 nanometers in wavelength, laser energy penetrates like x-rays, but to achieve depth you need significant power or energy,” Dr. Bruce Coren told SpineUniverse.

What is laser therapy?

Laser therapy is a pain-free option to relief and healing for sports injuries. With laser therapy on your treatment team, you can get back in the game faster and play more. Find an Aspen Laser professional near you to learn more about laser therapy for your specific injury and to get started. Find an Aspen Laser Provider.

How long does laser therapy last?

Laser therapy is a dose-dependent treatment, meaning the injury needs to be treated with the right amount of light energy over a period of time for multiple weeks. If you’re thinking about starting laser therapy to help with a sports-related injury, there are a few things you’ll want to know:

How to heal a tendonitis injury?

With inflammation and discomfort caused by tendonitis, getting treatment and support early are key to avoiding further injury. Laser therapy combined with physical therapy and braces or inserts for support can help heal an injury before significant damage is done.

Is laser therapy effective for swimmer's shoulder?

This 2014 study found that laser therapy was an effective treatment for the pain caused by swimmer’s shoulder. The study compared laser therapy treatment to corticosteroid injections, another common pain relief method.

Does laser therapy help with injury?

If you’ve experienced a sports or workout-related injury, you know there’s an emotional pain of not being able to play your sport on top of the physical pain. Laser therapy has been shown to help athletes—professional and recreational—reduce their pain from injury and heal soft tissue injury faster. Faster recovery = more playing time.

Can laser therapy affect tattoos?

However, patients who’ve received laser therapy treatment over a tattooed area have reported sensitivity to the laser. Additional ly, the laser can affect the color and clarity of the tattoo. You can resume regular activity after and between laser therapy treatments.

Is laser therapy painless?

While both were effective at treating the pain, laser therapy is a painless experience where the handpiece is held over the body to administer the treatment— no needles involved.

What is laser therapy?

Laser therapies are medical treatments that use focused light. Unlike most light sources, light from a laser (which stands for l ight a mplification by s timulated e mission of r adiation) is tuned to specific wavelengths. This allows it to be focused into powerful beams. Laser light is so intense that it can be used to shape diamonds or cut steel.

What is the procedure to laser treat a tumor?

Laser therapy techniques vary based on the procedure. If a tumor is being treated, an endoscope (a thin, lighted, flexible tube) may be used to direct the laser and view tissues inside the body. The endoscope is inserted through an opening in the body , such as the mouth.

How does laser light work?

In medicine, lasers allow surgeons to work at high levels of precision by focusing on a small area, damaging less of the surrounding tissue.

What is the purpose of argon lasers?

Argon lasers also make shallow cuts and can be used to activate photosensitizing (light-activated) drugs during photodynamic therapy. This type of cancer treatment combines light with chemotherapy to kill more cancer cells.

How much does laser eye surgery cost?

stroke. Treatments can also be expensive and are therefore not accessible to everyone. Laser eye surgery can cost anywhere from $600 to $8,000 or more based on your healthcare plan and the provider or facility you use for your surgery.

Can you urinate after laser prostate surgery?

For example, if you have laser prostate surgery, you may need to wear a urinary catheter. This can aid in urinating right after the surgery. If you received therapy on your skin, you may experience swelling, itching, and rawness around the treated area.

Can laser surgery cause scarring?

If you have laser therapy, you may experience less pain, swelling, and scarring than with traditional surgery. However, laser therapy can be expensive and require repeated treatments.

How does laser therapy work?

1. It reduces pain and inflammation without side effects. Laser therapy uses a process called photobiomodulation. Photons enter the tissue and interact with the cytochrome c complex within mitochondria. This interaction triggers a biological cascade of events that leads to an increase in cellular metabolism and a decrease in both pain ...

Why do doctors use lasers?

Clinicians are using laser therapy more often than ever before to help reduce pain and inflammation related to many common conditions. Thousands of doctors and patients have experienced the power of laser therapy and are familiar with its therapeutic effects, but for those who aren’t, here are 5 things everyone should know about it: 1.

What is the purpose of a 40 watt laser?

The new LightForce 40 watt XLi therapy laser is being used by clinicians to quickly reduce inflammation in patients suffering from chronic pain.

How long does it take to get laser pain relief?

Laser therapy for pain can feel good. 5. Treatments Are Fast. With LightForce lasers, treatments are quick, usually 5-10 minutes depending on the size, depth, and acuteness of the condition being treated.

What is high power laser?

High-power lasers are able to deliver a lot of energy in a small amount of time, so therapeutic dosages are achieved quickly. For people with packed schedules, patients and clinicians alike, fast and effective treatments are a must.

When is laser therapy effective?

When treating acute conditions with laser therapy, it is particularly effective when it is ad ministered as soon as possible following injury (assuming there is no active hemorrhaging). The faster the inflammation is reduced and the healing process can begin, the better.

Does laser therapy help with pain?

Unlike medications, laser therapy reduces pain without undesirable side effects. It is also important to point out that patients report long-lasting pain relief. While the number of treatments required may vary depending on the acuity of the condition, many patients experience lasting relief after only a couple treatments. 2.

What are the benefits of cold laser therapy?

Sports medicine and physical therapy practices often use cold laser therapy in the treatment of minor injuries and sprains, such as: 1 ligament sprains 2 muscle strains 3 tendonitis 4 bursitis 5 tennis elbow 6 neck pain 7 lower back pain 8 knee pain 9 pain associated with muscle spasms

How many nm is a laser?

For deeper penetration, wavelengths between 780 and 950 nm are used. Although you’ll feel the laser device touching your skin, the procedure is painless and noninvasive. There will be no sound and you’ll feel no vibration or heat.

Why is laser therapy called cold?

The technique is called “cold” laser therapy because the low levels of light aren’t enough to heat your body’s tissue. The level of light is low when compared to other forms of laser therapy, such as those used to destroy tumors and coagulate tissue. Surgical and aesthetic lasers heat the tissue being treated.

Why do dentists use cold lasers?

Dentists use cold lasers to treat inflamed tissues in the mouth and to heal ulcerations. Doctors use it to treat inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other chronic autoimmune diseases.

How long does it take to get a cold laser?

One of the drawbacks of this therapy may be time. While each cold laser therapy session only takes a few minutes, it may take as long as a month (with as many as four treatments a week) before you can gauge its effectiveness. It also may not be covered by your insurance.

What wavelengths are used to treat tissue?

Superficial tissue is commonly treated with wavelengths between 600 and 700 nanometers (nm). For deeper penetration, wavelengths between 780 and 950 nm are used.

Can cold laser therapy be used on cancer?

That being said, cold laser therapy shouldn’t be used on carcinomas or cancerous lesions. It should also be avoided on the thyroid or eyes for home use. Since the effect of cold laser therapy on unborn children is unknown, it’s suggested that pregnant women avoid this type of treatment.

Low-Level Laser Treatments for Pain

Brett Sears, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and hospital-based therapy.

What Is Cold Laser Therapy?

Cold laser therapy is a type of treatment in which low-intensity light is applied to your body, typically over injured or inflamed tissue. The low-intensity light, referred to as "cold laser," is thought to improve blood flow and decrease pain and inflammation to injured tissues. 1

How Cold Laser Therapy Works

Cold laser therapy uses light photons that are introduced to your skin with a wand that contains several light-emitting diodes. As the photons enter your skin and pass through injured tissue, chemical changes to the mitochondria of the cells occur, signaling them to increase the production of adenosine triphosphate.

Types of Conditions Treated by Cold Therapy

Your healthcare provider may use cold laser therapy to treat a variety of conditions. These may include, but are not limited to:

Pros and Cons of Cold Laser Therapy

When deciding to have cold last therapy for your injury, your healthcare provider should explain to you the goals of the treatment. Also, they should discuss with you the expected benefits and risks associated with cold laser therapy.

What to Expect

If you and your healthcare provider choose to use cold laser therapy for your injury, it helps to understand what to expect during the treatment. During cold laser therapy, your affected body part will be exposed, and you and your healthcare provider may wear special goggles to shield your eyes during the treatment.

Effectiveness

When choosing to have cold laser therapy treatments, you should have an idea of the research surrounding the therapy. There is some research supporting the use of low-level lasers for back pain, neck pain, and tendonitis.

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