You may have heard about laser therapy or might have experienced it already at Dorval Physiotherapy and Wellness. You may have been wondering: “Does it do anything to my injury or pain since I don’t feel anything?” We would like to provide you with some background information so you can have a better understanding of the benefits of the laser.
We performed a lot of research before making the decision to have this major investment in our clinic. We decided to purchase a laser that is unique: ours has a penetration of light energy more than 5 cm and a lateral spread or 3 cm. This wavelength (830 nm) allows us to treat variety of conditions which do not require deep penetration (like in the hands or feet) or the one needing deeper penetration (like in the sciatica or hip).
This laser has been endorsed by many high level athletic teams (including the majority of NFL football teams and the USA National swimming team) to treat their athletes for various injuries. According to the distributor, there are currently only three such lasers in the entire province of Ontario.
What is a Low Level Laser?
LLLT (Low level laser therapy) is a painless, sterile, non-invasive, drug-free treatment which is used to treat a variety of pain syndromes, injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions and pathologies. Laser therapy can be used any time a patient requests or needs a drugless procedure for the control of pain, when conventional therapies have been ineffective, or when the acceleration of healing from injuries is desired.
How Does the Laser Work?
The technology utilizes superluminous and laser diodes to irradiate diseased or traumatized tissue with photons. These particles of energy are selectively absorbed by the cell membrane and intracellular molecules, resulting in the initiation of a cascade of complex physiological reactions, leading to the restoration of normal cell structure and function.
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. However, light waves in the near infrared ranges penetrate the deepest of all light waves in the visible spectrum. When low level laser light waves penetrate deeply into the skin, they optimize the immune responses of our blood.
Laser therapy has been successfully used around the world for over 25 years, with no reported long-term or irreversible side effects.
Compared to traditional treatment, patients recover from musculoskeletal and peripheral nerve injuries with less scar tissue, accelerated cell regeneration and improved function.
Read reviews and testimonials of the ML830 microlight laser therapy
The Physiological Effects of LLLT
• Biostimulation, including improved metabolism & increased cell metabolism Metabolism is a term that is used to describe all chemical reactions involved in maintaining the living state of the cells and the organism.
• Improved blood circulation and vasodilation (opening of blood vessels)
• Analgesic effect (Pain relief)
• Anti-inflammatory and Anti-edematous (Anti-swelling) effects
• Stimulation of wound healing
Benefits of LLLT to Patients
• Relieves acute and chronic pains
• Increases the speed, quality and tensile length of tissue repair
• Increases blood supply
• Stimulates the immune system
• Stimulates nerve function
• Develops collagen and muscle tissue
• Helps generate new and healthy cells and tissue
• Promotes faster wound healing and clot formation
• Reduces inflammation
Advantages of Laser Therapy
• Non-invasive
• Non-toxic
• Easily applied
• Highly effective
• No adverse effects
The technology is highly effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, arthritis, sports injuries, wound healing and a wide range of dermatological conditions.
Generally, the more chronic or severe the condition, the longer it takes to respond. The majority of conditions treated will take anywhere from 4 to 5 or 10 to 18 treatments. If your condition does not change immediately, it may take 3 to 4 sessions before a dramatic or marked change is perceived.
