If you are looking for ways to treat acute and chronic pain, physical therapists may suggest laser therapy. Laser therapy is a form of treatment using light energy. The type of laser and wavelength used for the therapy will vary depending on the condition being treated.
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is a non-invasive way to reduce inflammation, manage pain and stimulate tissue healing. This type of laser uses light with low power density ensuring it won’t damage surrounding tissue while still providing enough energy to have an effect on target areas.
Physical Therapists may use low level laser therapy in cases of musculoskeletal injuries such as rotator cuff tears, neck and back pain, muscle strains/sprains and arthritis.
High power laser therapy (HPLT) is used to increase tissue healing, reduce inflammation and manage pain. HPLT has a higher power density than LLLT and therefore penetrates deeper into the tissue. This type of laser is often used for conditions such as tendinitis, bursitis, chronic neck/back pain, joint injuries, muscle tears/strains and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Red light therapy (RLT) is also referred to as photobiomodulation (PBM). RLT uses low levels of red or infrared light on the skin which can reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. Physical Therapists may use RLT for chronic musculoskeletal issues such as arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis and muscle/tendon strains.
Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy is a type of radiation that uses the UV spectrum to treat skin disorders such as psoriasis or eczema.
Physical Therapists may use UV light therapy in cases where medications are not working or are contraindicated for certain conditions. No matter what type of laser treatment your physical therapist recommends, you can be sure that it is a safe and effective way to reduce inflammation and manage pain.
You should always consult with your physical therapist before beginning any form of treatment to ensure you get the best results from your therapy sessions.
Commonly Asked Questions
Does laser light treatment help with pain?
Lasers can reduce pain and heal the body without causing surgery or dangerous medications. The FDA is evaluating over four hundred studies showing the benefits of laser therapy. This product has been approved for treatment of many types of ailments.
How does laser therapy reduce inflammation?
Photo-biomodulation involves the use of lasers. Photonic particles penetrate cells and are connected to mitochondria; the complexes cytochrome c are present within them. It triggers a biological cascade that causes increased cell metabolism and decreases pain and inflammation.
What does light therapy do physical therapy?
Also called laser light therapy, laser light therapy helps restore and tissue healing and integrity around bones, muscles, muscle, ligaments, or tendons and limbs. A small telescopic device is used to aim red or near infrared light into a muscle or bone.
Is red light therapy a gimmick?
It’s also possible the use of red light therapy can help reduce the pain and improve sleep. The research has been limited but it has not provided sufficient information to prove the effectiveness of red-light therapy in certain cases.
What does infrared light therapy do for muscles?
Light-emitted diodes may benefit by reducing muscle damage and atrophy and increase strength recovery.
Is Infrared Light therapy Therapy covered by Medicare?
Various studies have shown how the treatment can improve the wound healing process in areas where other therapies are not effective. Anodyne therapy has been shown to decrease the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (particularly diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet). All insurance policies pay for themselves.
Does infrared light therapy work for neuropathy?
In general red light therapy reduces nerve neuropathic pain as it stimulates healing and promotes the growth of nerves.
What is the difference between low level light therapy and low level laser therapy?
Low Level Light therapy provides an enjoyable and completely painless feeling, but they don’t treat skin issues that are deeper underneath the skin. Laser treatment penetrates deeper within your skin and can address several problems at the root of them.
What are the known side effects of laser light?
All proteins absorb UV light and become “denatured” by radiation. Excess exposure to ultraviolet light can lead to photophobia, red tingling, tear, stromal fog and more. This adverse effect is typically delayed several hours, however occurs in 24 hours.
When should you not use low level laser therapy?
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a form of treatment used to help reduce pain and inflammation. However, it is important to be aware that there are some contraindications with this type of therapy. LLLT should not be used on any area where there has been previous radiation or chemotherapy, since the laser light may aggravate the existing condition.
Additionally, people who have implanted medical devices like pacemakers should avoid using LLLT as it may interfere with their device’s function. People who have certain skin disorders such as psoriasis may also need to avoid low level laser therapy due to its potential to irritate these conditions further. Lastly, pregnant women and children should not use LLLT as there is limited evidence on the safety of this treatment for these populations. It is important to speak to your doctor before receiving any type of laser therapy to make sure it is the right option for you and that there are no contraindications.
Can laser therapy make pain worse?
You’ll have slight, relaxing warm feelings. Laser therapy can relax some even go into sleep. Often though it can occur the pain increases or begins within 2-4 weeks of the initial treatment. The pain can be caused by laser lighting which initiates re-spiritualization.
Is red light therapy good for tendonitis?
The treatment of inflammation is often effective. Red light therapies have the ability to repair damaged tissue as well as repair damage to tissues. Those include soft tissues such as skin and harder tissues such as ligaments, tendons, muscle tissue or bones.
Does red light therapy work on tendons?
Generally inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, bursitis and tendonitis are treated with red light treatment. Red lights have also been shown to improve damaged skin. These include softer skin and harder muscle tissue.
Does red light therapy help with carpal tunnel syndrome?
Red light treatments can ease muscle stiffness caused by carpal tunnel arthritis sprain or other conditions.
What are the benefits of laser therapy?
- Pain reliever without side effects.
- Helps heal sprains and strains.
- Immediate healing of cutaneous injuries.
- Immediate improvement in blood circulation. Quick relief of pain without symptoms. Help with strains or strains.
- Repair of superficial wounds and ulcers by improved blood circulation in the local area.
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Is laser therapy good for inflammation?
In addition to accelerating the healing process of tissue, it helps prevent inflammatory reactions and restore the proper function of cells and lipid synthesis. Laser therapy can treat neck pain or shoulder pain.
What does laser therapy do to the body?
Laser treatment is a medical procedure used for more than 40 years to relieve pain. In this area lasers stimulate and inhibit cell and tissue functions, which results in clinical effects.m88
Does laser therapy work on muscles?
New ways to relieve muscle pain are utilizing laser treatments. Laser treatments are now more effective than other forms of therapy for musculoskeletal problems. Lasers for muscle recovery may improve circulation in the region.
