Laser Therapy is on its way to becoming the future of medicine. Currently, laser therapy is being used for vision corrections and anti-aging procedures. In the rehabilitation field, low-level lasers or cold lasers, as they are sometimes referred to, are used for wound healing, inflammation reduction, and pain relief.
As a chiropractor, I treat a variety of muscle and joint conditions and have used laser therapy on at least 80% of my patients. It is a non-invasive and pain-free method to treat common conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Ankle sprains
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Sciatica
- Athletic injuries
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tennis/golfer’s elbow etc…
What is Laser Therapy?
The word laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser therapy was first developed 30 years ago and is primarily used in Europe and Asia. It involves applying red and near-infrared light to injuries or wounds to improve healing and relieve both acute and chronic pain.
How does it work?
It involves the use of light which penetrates the skin’s surface and underlying tissues to stimulate our body’s natural repairing process. When low-level laser light waves penetrate deeply into the skin, they optimize the immune responses of our blood. 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. Laser therapy is accurate, safe and effective.
Is it safe?
Low-level therapy is a safe procedure. The lasers used are low-level and non-thermal, which means that there is no tissue damage or other hazards that may be associated with higher-powered lasers. Ocular damage is the main concern with the use of low-level lasers, so safety goggles are provided to patients during treatment, and both patients and practitioners should avoid staring directly into the laser beam.
Is it expensive, and what does it cost?
The cost of treatment will vary depending on the clinic you attend and what you are getting treatment for. At my clinic, treatment prices range from $40 to $85 per treatment.
Are there any risks to laser therapy?
Although not there are a few risks, which include:
- Pregnancy (specifically treatment over or near the womb)
- Recent cortisone/corticosteroid injection
- Carcinomas/Cancer
- Over the thyroid
- Certain heart diseases
- Direct irradiation of the eyes
How long and how many treatments does one require?
The length of treatment and frequency depend on the condition being treated. Treatment length may vary between 3 minutes and 15 minutes. Larger areas will take longer to treat. For example, a sprained pinky finger may take 3-6 minutes to treat, while sciatica may take 10-20 minutes to treat. As for treatment frequency, most patients report a moderate improvement after 3-4 treatments.
It is important that you consult with your healthcare practitioner and decide whether laser therapy is an option for you.
