Deep Tissue Laser Therapy™ is used to treat painful muscles and joints associated with acute and chronic soft tissue injuries. It is also indicated to help relieve pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis via its ability to increase localised blood flow. These factors make therapeutic laser a sensible modality choice for post-activity recovery.
Laser therapy is a medical treatment that uses focused light to stimulate a process called photobiomodulation (PBM). During PBM, photons enter the tissue and trigger a biological cascade of events that leads to an increase in cellular metabolism, which can decrease pain and inflammation and accelerate the healing process.
Laser therapy is used to treat acute and chronic conditions as well as post-activity recovery. When treating acute conditions with laser therapy, it is particularly effective when it is administered as soon as possible following injury. With chronic conditions, laser therapy is used most often to help combat persistent pain. To aid in post-activity recovery, LightForce® Lasers are used by over 250 pro, college, and Olympic sports teams across the United States and many parts of Europe and East Asia.
What does it feel like?
Laser therapy treatments must be administered directly to the skin, as clothing or topical dressings interfere with delivering light to tissues beneath the skin. Patients will feel a soothing warmth as the therapy is administered. Many patients receiving LightForce® Therapy Laser treatments report enjoying the experience, especially when the 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.
How long do treatments last?
With LightForce® lasers, treatments are quick, usually 4-7 minutes, depending on the size, depth, and chronicity 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?
Patients generally see results after 3 to 5 treatments. Clinicians will develop specific plans of care based on the diagnosis and the tissues that are involved. Chronic conditions often require more therapy than acute.