Low Level Laser Therapy – How Does It Work?
Polishuk Physical Therapy Wellness & Fitness is one of the few providers in the area to offer Erchonia® Low Level Laser Therapy. This laser has been getting extraordinary results for our patients. It reduces pain, inflammation, and swelling, and helps to accelerate the healing process, but for the more inquisitive minds, the following will give a little more scientific detail.
The Erchonia® laser is a low level laser therapy device, or cold laser, that was designed to correct and heal soft tissue dysfunction and ailments. It works through the penetration of billions of photons of visible and invisible laser light deep into tissue structures. Cold laser therapy is defined by the North American Association of Laser Therapy (NAALT) as “a therapeutic physical modality, using photons from the visible and infrared spectrum (600nm-1000nm) for tissue healing and pain reduction”.
Laser technology has been used for over 30 years in Europe, Asia, and Canada with great success. Low level laser therapy was made available in the United States after 12 years of study and research. The Erchonia® Laser is FDA approved and can be safely used anywhere on the body.
Tissues naturally contain protein strands called chromophores and cytochromes located in the cell’s mitochondria (cell’s powerhouse). These proteins have a unique ability to absorb laser light energy and transform it into chemical energy for the cell to use. In that sense, low level laser therapy is similar to photosynthesis in plants; sunlight is absorbed by the plant and converted into energy the plant can utilize for growth. In the body, light sensitive chromophores and other elements within the cell absorb energy, initiating a series of important photochemical changes such as increased production of nitric oxide, singlet oxygen and ATP, as well as an increase in the cell membrane’s permeability. Through the Kreb’s cycle, the mitochondria produces ATP, providing the cell with the extra energy needed to accelerate the healing process and positively influence pain. Since the following processes occur in all types of cells (muscle, ligament, cartilage, nerves, etc.), a number of wide-ranging conditions can be treated.
What Conditions Can Be Treated With Cold Laser?
Experience and research literature suggest the laser to be effective in treating the following conditions:
• Pain in Joints or Spine
• Arthritis (Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid)
• Whiplash & Sprain/Strain Injuries
• Post-operative Pain
• Tendonitis/Bursitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tennis Elbow & Golfer’s Elbow
• Fibromyalgia & Trigger Point Syndrome
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Headaches (tension, sinus & migraine)
• TMJ Syndrome
• Stress fractures
• Wound and Scar Healing
How Many Treatments Will It Take?
Most studies have shown that it may take 8-20 treatments to see results, depending on the severity and duration of the condition. Treatments are done 1-3 times per week.