Laser therapy has become more popular in recent years. As a result, there are now more patients who are actively considering it as a treatment option for soft tissue and other injuries.
The word laser is actually an acronym that stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
In this article, we will start with a brief explanation of what this form of therapy is, and how it works. We will then go on to list some of the more prevalent conditions that it can be used to treat. We will then conclude by listing some possible side effects of the therapy. We also list some medical conditions for which laser therapy is contraindicated, or for which it should be considered only after seeking and receiving medical advice.
Laser treatment involves the application of high intensity red and infrared light to injured body tissue. The light used is highly focused and tuned to specific wavelengths. These highly focused, powerful beams are then used to accelerate healing of soft tissues that have been damaged by either acute or chronic conditions.
The purposes for which laser therapy may be taken include musculoskeletal injuries, degenerative and/or chronic medical problems and even wound healing. Laser treatment can sometimes be taken for pain relief. Below, we list specific conditions that may be treated using this therapy.
The laser applicator is equipped with luminous diodes that emit a high intensity monochromatic light signal. Because of the high intensity of the light beam used in laser therapy, the therapist will normally use protective eyewear while administering the therapy. This will be done in order to avoid damage to his or her eyes.
The applicator is usually held directly against the patient’s skin. This allows as many as possible of the high energy photons emitted to reach the injured tissue.
One of the key advantages of laser therapy lies in the opportunity it allows surgeons to focus precisely on tiny areas of the body. The result is less damage to adjacent tissue.
However, this precision must be weighed against the higher expense of laser therapy compared to alternative treatments.
“Laser therapy” is actually an umbrella term that encompasses many specific types of lasers that are used to treat different conditions. To take just a few examples:
Although the body is capable of repairing its own damaged cells, this is a high energy process. Cell repair can proceed only as quickly as energy is supplied to support the healing process. In addition to the damage of the injury itself, the injured tissue may also be producing pain & inflammation. If so, much of the energy available to the cells is taken up dealing with these and other by-products of the injury.
(As a side note, high power lasers used in industry carry enough energy to be used for cutting extremely tough substances like diamonds or steel.)
Laser light signals carry high levels of energy and this energy helps the cells perform their repair function much more quickly than would otherwise be possible.
The list of conditions to which laser therapy may be applied is quite extensive. We list some of these below:
In addition to these conditions (and as mentioned above) laser treatment may also help to reduce the pain of medical conditions such as back injuries. Further, laser therapy is used cosmetically to remove warts, moles, birthmarks, and sun spots. It can, also, be effective in removing hair, lessening the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes or scars and to remove tattoos.
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Please bear in mind that this list is by no means intended to be exhaustive. You may be wondering whether your specific condition is treatable by laser therapy. If so, we suggest consulting with your doctor.
Please note also that in treating many of the conditions listed above, laser therapy will be utilized alongside many other types of treatment. In treating cancers, for example, it will be used alongside more traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
Although this therapy has undoubted benefits in many areas, it is not without risks. Patients may experience scarring, changes in skin tone and even bleeding, pain and infections after a course of laser treatment.
Further, patients should be told that the intended effects of treatment may not be permanent. Therefore, repeated sessions may be necessary.
In addition, if the therapy is performed while the patient is under general anaesthesia, there are additional and more serious risks, such as:
For these reasons, we emphasize the importance of consulting with your doctor before undergoing laser treatment for any reason.
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The Vectra Genisys Transport Laser comes without an applicator but provides both continuous and pulsed treatment modes & real time delivered dose feedback.
