Laser Therapy: All you need to know

What is Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy, or photobiomodulation, is the process of photons entering the tissue and interacting with the cytochrome c complex within the cell mitochondria. The result of this interaction, and the point of conducting laser therapy treatments, is the biological cascade of events that leads to an increase in cellular metabolism (promoting tissue healing) and a decrease in pain. Laser therapy is used to treat acute and chronic conditions as well as post-activity recovery. It is also used as another option to prescription drugs, a tool to prolong the need for some surgeries, as well as pre and post-surgery treatment to help control pain.

Is laser therapy painful? What does laser therapy feel like?

Laser therapy treatments must be administered directly to skin, as laser light cannot penetrate through layers of clothing. You will may feel a soothing warmth as the therapy is administered. Many patients receiving LightForce® Therapy Laser treatments report enjoying the experience, especially when a massage-ball treatment head is used to deliver what is often referred to as a “laser massage.”

Patients receiving treatments with higher-power lasers also frequently report a rapid decrease in pain. For someone suffering from chronic pain, this effect can be particularly pronounced. Laser therapy for pain can be a viable treatment.

Is laser therapy safe?

Class IV laser therapy (or photobiomodulation) devices were cleared in 2004 by the FDA for the safe and efficacious reduction of pain and increasing micro-circulation. Therapy lasers are safe and effective treatment options to reduce musculoskeletal pain due to injury. The biggest risk to injury during laser therapy treatments is to the eye, which is why certified, protective eyewear is always required during LightForce® treatments.

How long does a therapy session last?

With LightForce® lasers, treatments are quick usually 3-20 minutes depending on the size, depth, and acuteness of the condition being treated. High-power lasers are able to deliver a lot of energy in a small amount of time, allowing therapeutic dosages to be achieved quickly.

How many treatments will I need and how frequently to get treated with laser therapy?

4-12 treatments are recommended depending on the body part and chronicity of the injury. Treatment frequency is important and should be done 1-3 times per week. There is a well-documented support that the benefits of laser therapy are cumulative, suggesting that plans for incorporating laser as part of the plan of care should involve early, with frequent treatments that may be administered less frequently as the symptoms resolve.

How long will it take until I notice a difference?

You will likely notice an improvement immediately after treatment including improved mobility or decreased pain.

Do I have to limit my activities?

Laser therapy will not limit your activities. The nature of a specific pathology and the current stage within the healing process will dictate appropriate activity levels. Laser will often reduce pain which will make it easier to perform different activities and will often help restore more normal joint mechanics.

What are the side effects of laser therapy?

Based on peer-reviewed literature, there are no known significant side effects from laser therapy for most conditions. Increased blood flow is a positive benefit associated with laser therapy that can cause the skin to get flush and the feeling of warmth. These changes are short-lived, typically lasting for up to a few hours. Improper dosing can lead to increased swelling for acute injuries where there is a lot of inflammation present as well as increased nerve-related pain for certain conditions when irritable nerve tissue is over stimulated. This is usually correctable by adjusting the treatment settings. On these rare occasions, the setbacks usually reverse themselves within 24-36 hours.

Can low level laser therapy be used with other modalities/treatments?

Yes, it generally works well with other modalities that are designed to promote tissue repair.  Examples might include blood flow restriction and shockwave devices. The mechanisms that are associated with these modalities work well with laser therapy. Generally using modalities that are designed to provide cryotherapy (cold therapy) which generally reduce blood flow and promote vasoconstriction are not recommended as adjunctive therapies with laser.

Can laser be effective as a post-surgical treatment for pain?

Absolutely! Some of the most consistently reported benefits of laser therapy are related to reduced pain after treatment. Research has shown that photobiomodultion/laser treatment can speed up the healing process of certain tissues through increased cellular metabolism. For post-surgical patients, appropriate doses of light energy can be delivered to effectively reduce pain, without negatively impacting the body’s natural healing process.

Can laser be used over metal/implants?

Yes, laser can be used over metal implants/ hardware. At the irradiance levels used with LightForce equipment, light will simply bounce off of metal. There will be no heating that takes place at depth when using LightForce® lasers within recommended parameters.

Is laser effective for treating arthritis?

The suffix, –itis comes from the Greek that denotes inflammation. Several studies have shown that laser is an excellent therapy to help address the symptoms related to both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. While it will not restore damaged cartilage, it can help improve ROM of the affected joints and help reduce pain so that functional levels can be maintained, NSAIDS can be reduced, and in some cases, more invasive procedures can be delayed or prevented.

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