What is Laser Therapy?
Author: Nathan Edwards, Physiotherapist
Laser therapy is the application of infrared and red light over an area of injury to improve tissue healing and in many cases to provide pain relief. The red and infrared light is emitted from a handheld device, which is placed directly on the skin over the area of injury.
How does it work?
Healing, on a cellular level, requires a lot of energy (ATP). In biology, the power plant of the cell that produces ATP is called the mitochondria. When tissue is damaged the production of ATP is impaired. The light emitted from Laser Therapy stimulates the mitochondria into hyperactivity and therefore increases the volume of ATP available for healing processes.
Does it hurt?
No! Laser therapy does not hurt; in fact, you can’t really feel it at all. Laser is a safe and conservative treatment option that is well suited for use in all adult populations.
What does it help with?
Given how Laser therapy works (above), the injured tissue has to be close enough to the surface to be affected by the red and infrared light. The laser in our clinic has a penetration depth of approximately 3cm. As such, Laser therapy in our context can help with tendon and tissue injuries that are relatively close to the surface, some of these include:
- Tennis Elbow
- Rotator cuff tendonitis/tendinopathy
- Plantarfasciitis
- Ankle pain/injury
- Knee pain including runner’s knee or patellar tendonitis
- TMJ dysfunction
- Hand and wrist injury
While there is some exciting research to support Laser therapy for use in the treatment of many types of pain and injury, one must also be realistic about its use and application. Laser therapy should be used a part of a treatment plan that includes other key features including movement, specific exercise, and other therapeutic interventions. At Station Street Health, Laser therapy is provided by our licensed physiotherapists and chiropractors.
If you want to learn more about Laser therapy or to discuss if it could be beneficial for your situation please feel free to give us a call at 632-9000 or book an appointment.
