Pain Relief: “Laser decreases nerve sensitivity by decreasing bradykinin; a pain eliciting chemical. It normalizes ion channels [cellular gatekeepers] and releases endorphins [body’s natural pain reliever] and enkephalins [related to endorphins] that produce an analgesic effect. It also has a pain-blocking effect on certain nerve fibers.”
Anti-inflammatory/Healing: “Laser increases ATP, which is stored energy [ATP is the acronym for adenosine triphosphate]. This increased energy accelerates the repair processes of the cell. 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. Also, some molecules that increase inflammation are reduced, and beneficial antioxidants like superoxide dismutase are increased.
Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth: “Photons of light from lasers penetrate deeply into tissue and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. As a result of exposure to laser light, the cells of tendons, ligaments, nerves and muscles are repaired faster.”
Improved Vascular Activity: “Laser light increases the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue, which speeds up the healing process, and closes wounds quickly.”
Trigger and Acupuncture Points: “Laser is particularly effective in extinguishing painful trigger points. It is also an effective way of stimulating acupuncture points without the discomfort associated with needling.”
Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation: “Laser therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from repetitive motion injuries, cuts, scratches, burns or surgery.”
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 of stem cells, which enhances healing.”
Where Laser Therapy Administered and Conditions Treated
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, tendonitis, bursitis, and capsulitis. Strains, sprains, and repetitive motion injuries all have an inflammatory component and can be successfully treated with laser.There is no particular condition that responds more quickly to laser. However, some patients will respond faster than others for the same condition as individual healing rates can vary.”
Laser therapy can be used as a stand-alone treatment, or with rehabilitative exercise therapy. “Rehabilitative exercises and laser therapy complement each other nicely,”
