Laser Therapy – Science fiction or useful therapy?
As far back as ancient Egyptian times light has been considered to have healing properties. Even today everyone knows the benefits of soaking up some sun for some much needed vitamin D. When I first heard about laser therapy I must admit I was sceptical. For the sci-fi fans among us it is easy to picture some magic healing device from Star Trek or the more dangerous lasers used to threaten James Bond.
So what is laser therapy and how does it work? Low Level Laser therapy (LLLT), often known as cold laser or photobiomodulation, uses near infrared wavelengths of light, often invisible to the human eye. In a similar way to plants making energy from sunlight through photosynthesis, laser energises the mitochondria in our cells, which are the powerhouses of our cells.
What use is energising my cells? I hear you ask. Well energised cells work faster. There is a lot of scientific research supporting the use of Laser therapy to improve wound healing time, especially in diabetics. It can also improve circulation, helps treat back and neck pain and is especially useful for tendon injuries such as Achilles tendonitis or tennis elbow. Laser is also useful for our four legged friends who often find treatment very relaxing.
Are there any risks? Unlike other classes of laser, LLLT is a cold laser (as opposed to the hot lasers used for surgery) so won’t heat up your tissues or cause burns. It can even be safely used over pins and joint replacements. There are of course a few rare cases where laser may not be suitable which your therapist will discuss with you.
Can I feel it? Although my animal patients seem to be able to feel it, none of my human patients have reported feeling anything. It simply speeds up your body’s normal healing mechanisms, which we usually cannot feel anyway. So although laser may not be the instant and magical healing device from the movies, it is certainly a useful therapy for speeding up the healing process, especially for sports injuries or arthritis.
As far back as ancient Egyptian times light has been considered to have healing properties. Even today everyone knows the benefits of soaking up some sun for some much needed vitamin D. When I first heard about laser therapy I must admit I was sceptical. For the sci-fi fans among us it is easy to picture some magic healing device from Star Trek or the more dangerous lasers used to threaten James Bond.
So what is laser therapy and how does it work? Low Level Laser therapy (LLLT), often known as cold laser or photobiomodulation, uses near infrared wavelengths of light, often invisible to the human eye. In a similar way to plants making energy from sunlight through photosynthesis, laser energises the mitochondria in our cells, which are the powerhouses of our cells.
What use is energising my cells? I hear you ask. Well energised cells work faster. There is a lot of scientific research supporting the use of Laser therapy to improve wound healing time, especially in diabetics. It can also improve circulation, helps treat back and neck pain and is especially useful for tendon injuries such as Achilles tendonitis or tennis elbow. Laser is also useful for our four legged friends who often find treatment very relaxing.
Are there any risks? Unlike other classes of laser, LLLT is a cold laser (as opposed to the hot lasers used for surgery) so won’t heat up your tissues or cause burns. It can even be safely used over pins and joint replacements. There are of course a few rare cases where laser may not be suitable which your therapist will discuss with you.
Can I feel it? Although my animal patients seem to be able to feel it, none of my human patients have reported feeling anything. It simply speeds up your body’s normal healing mechanisms, which we usually cannot feel anyway. So although laser may not be the instant and magical healing device from the movies, it is certainly a useful therapy for speeding up the healing process, especially for sports injuries or arthritis.