What is Laser Therapy and How Does it Work?

Lasers are one of the most convenient and effective tools in treatments and medicine. Handheld laser devices are being used in a range of fields including, but not limited to: dental, veterinary, and oncological treatments. Low level laser therapy is one of the top techniques used by physical therapists along with manual therapy, traction and electrical stimulation.  Each therapy works in its own, unique way to make a patient feel better.  Low level laser therapy in particular, is used for muscular and/ or connective tissue injuries.  Laser Therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing and when receiving a laser therapy treatment patients do not feel a thing.  Major plus: healing pain without the pain of it.

The aim of laser therapy is to reduce inflammation as well as muscle fatigue and pain.  As great as the treatment is, the use of the laser in treatment is only the beginning. The decrease in inflammation combined with the increase in comfort allows for a therapist to move the joint around using manual therapy more easily and with more comfort for the patient, than without first having the laser treatment.  People may be put off by the idea of a laser being used as part of their therapy, but there is nothing to fear.  The reason for this is due to the low level of laser treatment as opposed to a higher level laser treatment.  The low-power lasers used in these treatments are designed specifically to stimulate cells and encourage cells to function.  The low level laser therapy option can be one of the easiest things you ever do; all you have to do is sit back and relax and let the low level laser machine do it’s work, to bring you a few steps closer to treatment or recovery.