You may have had laser therapy in the clinic and wondered what it is all about, really, and how it can help you with your recovery.
Laser Therapy facilitates pain relief and effectively promotes the recovery of tissues that have been compromised by trauma, overuse, or surgical operations. It is a safe, painless, drug free treatment which promotes tissue healing.
LASER stands for
Light
Amplification from
Stimulated
Emission of
Radiation
This type of therapy can also be referred to as biostimulation or photobiology.
The type of LASER that we use in the clinic is MLS which stands for Multiwave Locked System and references the use of laser-based therapy.
It’s a cutting edge type of therapy. It has a simultaneous effect on pain, inflammation, and oedema, exceeding the limits of traditional LLLT (low level laser therapy) and concerns of HP (high power) laser therapy. MLS is a treatment option which utilizes lasers in a specific way to provide effective pain relief non-invasively.
These are known as cold lasers – they produce less than 0.5 Watts which is not enough power to create heat. Lasers with more than 0.5 Watts are known as High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) and produce a warming sensation on the skin. LASER Therapy is a non-invasive treatment method which generates a single wavelength of light, without producing heat, sound, or vibration.
The way MLS Laser Therapy works is by using lasers with multiple wavelengths, allowing the practitioner to more accurately direct treatment to the problem spot, even if it is located deeper within the patient’s body or involves a large area. Research has shown that this particular treatment method works on a number of levels.
How does it work:
There is strong evidence to suggest that LLLT acts on our mitochondria (energy producing organelles within each cell) to stimulate production of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). ATP is the energy our body needs to function on a cellular level.
A complex cascade of events within the cells causes protein synthesis and further downstream effects which are beneficial to healing such as:
– Increased cell proliferation
– modulation of inflammation
– increased tissue oxygenation
How will this affect your symptoms?
– Reduction of inflammation, leading to decreased pain, less stiffness, and a faster return to normal joint and muscle function.
– Pain relief
– Accelerated tissue regeneration/repair, LLLT stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue.
– Reduced fibrous tissue formation/scar tissue, leading to more complete healing, with less chance of weakness and re-injury later.
– Increases blood flow to the injured area.
– Speeds nerve cell processes, which may decrease pain and numbness associated with nerve-related conditions.
What conditions can it treat?
Many musculoskeletal conditions can benefit from Multiwave Locked System Laser therapy. Below are a few:
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and ankle
- Chronic neck and back pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Shoulder impingement syndromes
- Hip or shoulder bursitis
- Low back disc degeneration
- Disc herniation
- Sciatica
- Neuropathic/nerve pain
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
Even though it cannot prevent Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness, it does have its place in treating muscular pains and injuries.
How to get best results:
While reduction of inflammation can occur with a single dose it does vary from person to person and for different conditions. The World Association of Laser Therapy (WALT) recommend regular initial doses which can then be spaced on a weekly basis. The exact recipe depends on many factors and your practitioner will guide you through the best plan.
It should be noted that just because the pain has started to go away, this does not mean that the injury is gone. It can take several sessions after symptoms have gone before the injury can be said to have been treated.
LLLT is not always suitable for those who are:
- pregnant
- suffering from cancer (unless permission is obtained from your consultant)
- undergoing therapy to suppress the immune system
- Epileptic
If you think that you would like to try our MLS modern laser therapy for yourself then you can book here or contact us for more information.
