LASER THERAPY A POWERFUL MEDICAL TREATMENT....
Medicine of today is dominated by expensive pharmaceuticals and advanced technologies. Although generally very sophisticated and helpful they can cause a great number of predictable and unpredictable side effects.
Laser therapy offers a safe, non-invasive and pain free therapeutic medical modality. The unique quality of laser therapy is its universal usefulness. Through many years of research and development lasers are now used every day in medical Hospitals and Clinics all over the world. From the well controlled research work on Lasers carried out by Guy’s Hospital in London and other centres of excellence in Spain, Italy, Israel, Switzerland and Russia, there is growing knowledge of the biochemical mechanism of laser therapy.
The range of conditions being treated is also increasing at a steady rate, from tissue repair and wound care to pain relief. Laser therapy also has a general and beneficial influence on the immune system by increasing levels of lymphocyte activity, thus enabling the natural healing processes to start more quickly.
WHAT IS IT?
Laser Therapy, commonly known as LLLT or soft laser (Class 3b), is a form of phototherapy (light therapy) which involves the application of powerful monochromatic and coherent light to injuries and lesions to stimulate natural healing. Lasers are used to increase the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair, resolve acute and chronic inflammation, and give pain relief. The technical term often used to describe this form of therapy is ‘photobiostimulation’.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OVER OTHER MODES OF THERAPY?
Laser has been found to offer superior healing and pain relieving effects compared to other electrotherapeutic modalities, especially in the early stages of acute injuries, and for chronic problems. Laser is also used successfully for Acupuncture Point Stimulation, thereby reducing the need for needling.
Laser treatment is a universal method of treating muscle, tendon, ligament, connective tissue, bone and skin tissue. Most Importantly for patients it is a non-invasive, pain-free, drug-free treatment. For athletes, Lasers can be applied on competition day without risking disqualification by drug-vetting tests. After more than 30 years of use in clinics, no harmful side effects have been reported.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Lasers supply energy to the body in the form of non-thermal photons of light (no heating is produced in the tissues). Laser 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.
The laser enters the tissue at a predefined dosage and is absorbed in the mitochondria and at the cell membrane. This photonic energy is converted to chemical energy within the cell, increasing ATP and protein synthesis. Cell membrane permeability alters, then physiological changes occur.
These physiological changes affect macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, mast cells, bradykinin and nerve conduction rates.
REPORTED BENEFITS OF LASERS:
Rapid cell growth Laser accelerates cellular reproduction and growth. Faster wound healing Laser stimulates fibroblast development in damaged tissue.
The reduction in recovery time is an important consideration. Increased metabolic activity Higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle uptake on blood cells, more effective immune responses are induced by laser.
Reduced fibrous tissue formation Laser reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns, or following surgery. Anti-inflammatory action Laser reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints to give improved joint mobility.
Pain Relief Stimulation of endorphin release, increased rate of metabolising of serotonin and suppression of nociceptor activity provide rapid and effective pain relief without drugs. Stimulated nerve function Slow recovery of nerve function in damaged tissue can result in "dead" limbs or numb areas.
Laser will speed the process of nerve cell reconnection to bring the numb areas back to life. Laser also increases the amplitude of action potentials to optimise muscle action.
LASER IS TRADITIONALLY USED FOR:
- Sports Injuries - Soft Tissue / Trauma Injuries: Acute Strains, Sprains, Haematomas/Muscle Tears, Ligament Strains and Sprains.
- Inflammatory Conditions: Tendonitis, Bursitis, Joint Strains, Myositis, Sinusitis, Fascitis.
- Musculoskeletal Conditions: Repetitive Strain Injuries, Rotator Cuff Tears, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Fibromyalgia.
- Wound Management: Open Wounds, Ulcers and Pressure Sores.
- Arthritis: Both Osteo (OA) and Rheumatoid (RA).
- Men's Problems: Erectile Dysfunction, Impotence
- Dermatological Conditions: Acne - (Vulgaris & Roseacea), Eczemas, Herpes.
- Skin and Body Care: Post-operative care - Scar reduction & wound healing.
- Assistance with the reduction of Fine lines and Wrinkles.
