Laser Therapy
LASER THERAPY at Healing Hands Physical Therapy in Ann Arbor
The Lightforce class IV laser system offers a non-invasive, drug-free, surgery-free, pain-free alternative used for people suffering from a wide variety of health conditions, including acute and chronic pain. This new advanced deep tissue laser therapy is now offered at Healing Hands Physical Therapy in Ann Arbor. The laser delivers penetrating light energy into the deep tissues and cells to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Class IV laser treatment works to increase circulation and accelerate tissue healing and cell growth for enhanced relief of pain and inflammation.
What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy has been investigated for medical uses since 1960. There are two different types of therapeutic lasers, hot and cold. Hot lasers are typically used during surgery while cold lasers are generally used to speed tissue healing. Early laser research included the use of cold laser treatments to kill cancer tumors in rats. Although the laser therapy was not successful in killing the tumors, it was found to accelerate tissue healing at the surgical sites. Since that time, the laser has been extensively researched and is considered a highly beneficial medical invention.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the use of low-level therapy lasers in 2002 and class IV therapy lasers in 2003. The recent development of higher-power, class IV laser systems allow clinicians to deliver adequate doses of light deep into tissue to reduce pain and inflammation and accelerate healing. Healing Hands Physical Therapy in Ann Arbor uses Lightforce, a class IV cold laser cleared and strictly controlled by ISO standards to be safe, painless and non-invasive.
The FDA approved uses of class IV lasers include the following:
- · relief of muscle and joint aches, pain and stiffness;
- ·relaxation of muscles and muscle spasms;
- ·temporary increase in local blood circulation; and
- relief of pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.1
How do Lasers work?
Cold lasers work by stimulating the body’s natural healing response to relieve pain, improve function and reduce swelling without medication or surgery.
Lasers deliver penetrating light energy into the deep tissues and cells to stimulate the body’s natural healing response and increase circulation. Lasers emit photons which are absorbed into the cells and converted into energy. A series of metabolic effects occur resulting in physiological changes at the cellular and intracellular levels. This laser light stimulates absorption of nutrients by the cell and elimination of waste from the cell, thereby accelerating cell growth and reproduction. The energized cells work together to promote the release of growth factors, increase the immune response, and balance hormones and proteins (endorphins and bradykinin) for pain relief.2
What can I expect from Laser Therapy?
Your physical therapist will identify areas for treatment and the length and number of treatments you may require. The Lightforce machine is a small box with an attached laser wand. You will feel a soothing warmth as laser energy penetrates the tissue. Treatments are painless and last 5 to 10 minutes. Results can be immediate but most observed results are after three to five sessions. The body continues to benefit from the effects of the therapy for 18-24 hours after the treatment. During this time, the changes in cell activity work to decrease pain and inflammation while promoting tissue healing in the areas where the laser was applied.
What Conditions can be Treated with Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy is a drug-free, surgery-free, pain-free modality that quickly relieves pain and is used to treat many acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including
- Muscle tears and strains
- Neck and back pain
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Medial and Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis and golf elbow)
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Joint pain
- Soft Tissue Damage
- Acute and Chronic Pain
- Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain
- Post-Surgical Recovery
- And many more
Healing Hands Physical Therapy in Ann Arbor now offers class IV laser treatments. If you are experiencing acute or chronic pain, laser therapy may be right for you. Contact us today for a consultation with a physical therapist. Start living the pain-free life you deserve.