High Intensity Laser Therapy (also called as Class 4 Laser) is a non-invasive treatment modality used in physiotherapy to promote tissue healing and pain relief. It utilizes specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue, leading to various biological effects at the cellular level. It works by providing laser energy using different modes, such as continuous wave or pulsed mode. The pulsed mode is frequently employed to focus on particular tissue regions and treat acute conditions effectively. The continuous mode is generally used for tissue regeneration.
How High Intensity Laser Therapy works?
Here’s how it typically works:
- Penetration: The laser light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by cells within the tissue.
- Biological Effects: Once absorbed, the light energy is converted into biochemical energy, which can stimulate cellular processes.
- Cellular Effects: Laser therapy is believed to stimulate cellular metabolism, increase circulation, promote tissue repair and regeneration, reduce inflammation, and decrease pain perception. It induces the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which plays a crucial role in various cellular processes. The heightened ATP production accelerates cell healing, leading to improved symptoms for patients, such as reduced pain, swelling, and enhanced range of motion.
- Treatment Areas: It can be used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including but not limited to, muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendonitis, arthritis, and wounds.
- Application: The therapist typically moves the laser wand over the affected area for a certain amount of time, delivering the appropriate dosage of light energy.
- Safety: Laser therapy is considered safe when administered by trained professionals, as it does not produce heat and is non-invasive. However, proper precautions should be taken to protect the eyes from direct exposure to the laser beam.
Laser Therapy at Vivacare
At Vivacare, we use HPL machines by Chattanooga that deliver high power, monochromatic therapeutic lasers in 810nm & 980nm wavelengths. Various tissues in the body have distinct penetration depths and respond differently to these wavelengths, resulting in diverse therapeutic effects based on the targeted tissue and its unique characteristics.
We use Laser Therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing. The frequency of laser therapy sessions can differ based on the condition, with some requiring daily treatments while others only need a few sessions per week. The total number of treatments necessary also relies on an individual’s response to therapy, making it a personalized approach to achieve optimal results.
The length of laser therapy sessions may vary depending on the treated condition and specific protocols used. Typically, most sessions last between 2 to 6 minutes, enabling the treatment of injured tissues in multiple areas during one session, thus enhancing the overall treatment outcomes.
Benefits of Laser Therapy
- Laser therapy is non-invasive, causing no pain and using non-toxic treatment methods.
- It exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects, effectively reducing pain, swelling, and associated complications.
- By accelerating the recovery of the injured region’s structural integrity, it promotes faster healing.
- It enhances functionality and range of motion, leading to improved strength, endurance, and overall performance.
- It accelerates wound and ulcer healing