Therapeutic Laser Treatment

Therapeutic Laser Q & A

What conditions can be treated by laser therapy?

Acute & Chronic Back & Neck Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Joint pain
Elbow disorders
Rheumatoid arthritis
Tinnitus
Post-surgery recovery
Fibromyalgia
Bruising
Tendonitis and bursitis
Plantar fasciitis
Scarring
Muscle and nerve regeneration

Therapeutic Effects of Laser

Lasers work via bio-stimulation. When laser light is absorbed by a living tissue, it triggers biological reactions in cells. Chemical substances are produced, released & carried by blood & lymphatic flow to other parts of the body.

Pain relief:

Reduction in pain occurs by causing production of natural pain killer endorphins.

Increased circulation:

Laser photons induce temporary vasodilation that increases blood flow to effected areas which in turn helps with healing.

Acupuncture:

A smaller targeted laser probe is also available and can be used to stimulate acupoints instead of needles. The low level laser stimulates the points the same way needles do, offering an option to those patients who are uncomfortable with needles. This smaller probe can also be used to treat muscular trigger points.

Patient Benefits:

Easy to apply, Extremely safe, Non-toxic, Non-invasive, No side effects or pain, Cost effective, Highly effective, Superior alternative to analgesics, NSAID’s & other medications, Often reduces the need for surgery, Works synergistically with other modalities like chiropractic, acupuncture & PT.

Regenerative effect & Healing:

Cold laser photons stimulate fibroblast development and accelerate collagen synthesis in damaged tissue. The photons also reduce the formation of scar tissue and stimulate nerve function.

Anti-inflammatory:

Inflammation is necessary for healing. The challenge is to control this acute inflammatory stage to allow for the next stage of healing. Reduction in inflammation occurs with exposure to laser by suppressing inflammatory enzymes that create swelling, redness, pain & heat.

Treatment:

Treatment times are usually 2-6 minutes per region, with 1-6 locations treated each visit. A dry contact is used (no lotions or gels) as the laser is glided or held over the region. Patients may feel a soft sensation or no sensation, and generally feel some warmth with treatment. Special safety eyewear is required during treatment.

Is laser therapy safe?

Cold laser therapy is an alternative to traditional treatments such as surgeries and prescription medications. Many practitioners, particularly chiropractors, will use cold laser therapy in conjunction with their own specialties. While cold lasers have only been in use in the US since 2001, they have been used around the world since the late 1960s. Over 3000 studies have proved cold lasers completely safe. The FDA has cleared over 25 different cold lasers for a number of different treatments. Grayhawk Family Chiropractic uses a class IV Apollo laser. These lasers are exclusively used by healthcare professionals and provide up to 5 watts of continuous power at 810nm.

Contraindications to Laser Therapy: