High Intensity Laser Therapy: A Powerful Tool for Recovery
Are you experiencing persistent pain or limited mobility? High intensity laser therapy could offer a solution to help with that nagging pain that just doesn’t seem to be going away.
High intensity laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment modality that can be used in physiotherapy sessions.
It can be used to help reduce pain and accelerate your body's natural healing process.
Let's delve into the details of laser therapy, what it can do for you, and how it can help to zap away your pain!
How Does High Intensity Laser Therapy Work?
High intensity lasers are therapeutic lasers that use uniform wave lengths of light. This light interacts with cells in the body, triggering photochemical reactions that lead to:
- Pain relief
- Accelerated tissue repair and regeneration
- Increased muscle relaxation
- Increased blood circulation and reduced inflammation
High intensity lasers deliver a higher power output compared to lower-class lasers (known as cold laser), allowing for increased energy and deeper tissue penetrations.
What are the Benefits of Using High Intensity Laser as Part of Physiotherapy Treatment?
Pain reduction:
Lasers can effectively manage acute and chronic pain conditions. The laser creates a mechanical pressure on tissues which stimulate our body’s pressure sensors and can help to block pain signals.
Faster healing and muscle relaxation:
The laser creates heat which promotes circulation. With improved blood flow, more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the tissues which helps with inflammation and encourages lymphatic drainage. Increased oxygen to the tissues also allows for more available cellular energy which allows muscles to function more efficiently and can help to speed up the repair and regeneration process.
Improved mobility:
Helps restore range of motion and improve joint function via muscle relaxation, reduced pain and inflammation.
On top of all these benefits, laser is a safe and drug-free alternative for pain management!
Who Would Benefit from High Intensity Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy can be used to treat various conditions, including but not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Back and neck pain
- Sports injuries
- Tendonitis
- Sprains and strains
- Bursitis
- Wound healing
- Chronic pain
Although appropriate for most people, there are some areas of the body that cannot be treated or situations where the laser is not appropriate. This would include the following:
- Over any metal implant (joint replacements, pacemakers, etc.)
- Over the abdomen or low back during pregnancy
- Over any tattoos
- Over the eyes
- Over any endocrine glands (such as the thyroid)
- During an active cancer diagnosis
- Fever or during any active infections
What Can I Expect During a Treatment?
A physiotherapist will assess your condition and determine if laser therapy is an appropriate treatment option.
If appropriate, the laser device is applied directly to the skin of the affected area, delivering therapeutic light energy. It is recommended that comfortable clothes be worn, that allow easy access to the treatment site.
Laser sessions will typically last between 5-15 minutes and are recommended to be completed 1-3 times per week, depending on the treatment area and the condition.
Treatment is generally painless, but you may experience some mild but comfortable heat during the sessions.
Some people experience immediate pain relief after the first session whereas others may need a few treatments before being able to notice an improvement.
While the laser is safe, there is some possibility of warmth or redness over the treatment area after the session as well. These sensations are temporary and typically subside within a few hours.
Eye protection will be worn by both the physiotherapist and the client during these treatment sessions to protect the eyes from the light of the laser.
In most cases, the laser is used in conjunction with other physiotherapy treatments such as manual therapy, exercises, and education. It can be an added tool in the overall treatment plan in helping to optimize recovery outcomes.
Exploring the Evidence of Laser therapy
There are several randomized control trials that have demonstrated improvements in pain and overall function when compared to a sham laser, cold laser or just exercise alone. This is seen particularly in knee osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal injuries (Alkatun et al. 2020, Nazari et al. 2018, Korkmaz et al. 2021, etc.).
A review of the available literature suggests that the combination of high intensity laser therapy in conjunction with exercise therapy can help improve treatment outcomes.
High Intesity Laser Therapy can help accelerate healing, manage pain, and improve mobility. It ca be a useful tool in recovering from a number of musculosketal injuries and conditions.
If you have any questions about high intensity laser therapy, or are wondering if it is right for you, talk to your physiotherapist at your next appointment.
Not seeing one of our physiotherapists? Book an appointment to get started, or call us (905-333-3488) to set up a FREE 15 minute consultation with one of our Physiotherapists to have your questions answered.