Is Low Level Laser Therapy for you?

Do you ever experience:

• Pain from an old or new sports injury or accident
• Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Neck, thoracic or low back pain
• Sprains, strains, tendonitis, and tendon ruptures
• Migraine headaches
• Skin ulcers, bed or other pressure sores
• Herpes simplex
• TMJ
• Frozen shoulder
• Osteoarthritis

Video from Channel 3 Phoenix News

Cutting-edge technology

The Erchonia PL5000 Low Level Laser used by Heal Faster Therapies has actually made history by being the first low level laser in the world to gain FDA approval. It is the laser that is used exclusively on Lance Armstrong, a six time Tour de France winner, as well as other elite professional athletes. The US Olympic Committee has enthusiastically endorsed Low level Laser Therapy in January of 2004.

High Power Lasers vs. Low Level Lasers

High power lasers are used in many surgical procedures to cut and destroy tissue. High power lasers have a thermal effect. Low Level lasers do not have a thermal effect and are used to stimulate tissue repair through a process of bio-stimulation.

Effects of laser light on tissue

The most common example of the conversion of light energy into chemical energy is photosynthesis, where plants manufacture food from carbon dioxide and water. Light energy from the sun is the essential item in that process. We are all familiar with photosynthesis, the well-known process that converts photons of light energy into chemical energy.

The action of laser light on tissue is quite similar to photosynthesis in plants. Photons of light from a laser penetrate deep into tissue and power the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a molecule that is a major carrier of energy from one reaction site to another, in all living cells. Increases in ATP, as a result of laser light, augment the energy available to cells so that a cell can absorb nutrients faster and expel waste products. In straightforward terms, the cells of tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired faster when exposed to laser light. How much faster? A good rule of thumb is that healing time is reduced by one-half to two-thirds the time it would normally take, all other factors remaining equal.

Rapid wound healing

Laser light has been shown to stimulate the collagen (protein) required to replace old tissue and repair injury. Wounds are healed, or closed over, very rapidly by the application of laser light. There is also less scar tissue formed when the laser light is applied to the area, since the rate of healing is improved.

Nerve cell response

Laser therapy helps to block pain transmission by decreasing nerve ending sensitivity. Laser light stimulation also produces high levels of pain-killing chemicals such as endorphins from the brain, adrenal gland and other areas. The latter mechanism is understood and remains an area for further exploration.

Reduced swelling

By stimulating the lymphatic system, swelling is reduced, helping what we call “dirty proteins” to be carried away from the injury site. This stimulation to the lymphatic system reduces swelling, reduces pain, and speeds healing. Other therapies that would help reduce pain would be ice compresses, or elevation of the damaged area.

Increased blood flow

In conjunction with improved lymphatic flow, increased blood flow will help to speed the healing process, virtually assisting in bringing good blood in and taking bad blood out of the area. Wounds heal more quickly, and help to reduce scar tissue.

Additional benefits

As is true of many alternative therapies, you may receive additional benefits to being treated, in addition to what condition you want worked on in the first place. This is because the ATP being produced is “systemic”, meaning although we’re focusing the laser on a particular area; the ATP is ultimately being sent throughout your entire body.

How can Low Level Laser benefit you?

• Relieve acute and chronic pain
• Increase the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair
• Increase blood supply
• Stimulate the immune system
• Stimulate nerve function
• Develop collagen and muscle tissue
• Helps generate new and healthy cells and tissue
• Promote faster wound healing and clot formation
• Reduce inflammation

Laser Therapy may be useful for the following:

• Tendonitis
• Frozen shoulder
• Fractures
• Post-operative wounds
• Sprain-strains
• Scar tissue
• Autoimmune diseases
• Chronic or acute pain
• Wound healing
• Arthritis
• Migraines
• Disc herniations
• Minor nerve damage
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Heavy metal detoxification

Number of treatments needed

Sometimes symptoms can be relieved immediately; however, a minimum of 4-12 treatments are necessary to begin the healing process of the tissue involved.

We recommend the initial treatment schedule of 2 to 3 times per week. Minimum treatment would be 1x per week to still see results. The interval between treatments will lengthen as the condition improves.

How long is each treatment?

Treatments can vary in time from seconds to minutes depending on the condition being treated. Research studies show that there may be a dose dependent response, so it may be more effective to treat at lower doses at multiple intervals than to treat a single time with a high dose.