What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy – also known as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Cold Laser Therapy, Photobiomodulation (PBM), Light Therapy or Red Light Therapy, is the stimulation of natural healing processes in our body with low intensity light. At Cold Laser Pain Relief, we prefer the term Photobiomodulation or PBM. Red and infrared light at specific wavelengths and intensity are used, which is proven to accelerate cellular regeneration.
Does it hurt?
No, PBM Therapy uses non thermal lasers that do not cut the tissue. There is absolutely no pain. Most people feel nothing at all while a few may feel a slight tingling or warmth during the treatment, and although you can feel the laser device touching your skin, the procedure is painless and non-invasive.
Is Laser Therapy safe?
PBM Therapy is one of the safest therapies around. Therapeutic lasers allow deep penetration of tissue without the unwelcome effect of invasive treatment. Our staff have had extensive training and, having been with the clinic over 7 years, are competent in indications, contraindications, dosing and administration of low level laser therapy to ensure optimum outcomes. Hundreds of research studies have shown PBM Therapy to be safe and effective. It is non-invasive, non-toxic and non-thermal and harmless.
Are there any side effects?
Hundreds of research studies have shown PBM Therapy to be safe and effective. There are no known adverse effects, however, patients occasionally experience mild discomfort/ache after treatment. This is due to stimulation of the inflammation and should settle down after 24 – 48 hours. A good night’s sleep after PBM Therapy is also not uncommon.
What is Laser Therapy generally used for?
PBM Therapy treats a wide variety of issues including neurological conditions, cognitive issues, pain syndromes such as sprains and strains, acute and chronic injuries, and speeds up healing. It is used to treat the following, amongst others:-
- Sports Injuries
- Carpal Tunnel
- Tendonitis
- Ligament issues
- Bursitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Neck and Back Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Tennis Elbow
- Arthritis/Joint Pain
- Neuropathy
- TBI / ABI
- Depression
- Stroke
- Tinnitus
- Meniere’s disease
- Sciatica
- Vertigo
- Headache / migraine
- Sinus issues
- Sprains and Strains
- Endometriosis
- Capsular Contracture
- Frozen shoulder
- Arthritis pain
- Bulging disc pain
- Skin:
- Wound healing (trauma, post-surgical)
- Scar (keloid)
- Diabetic skin ulcer
- Atherosclerosis ulcers (poor circulation)
- Shingles pain
- We also have a smoking cessation program for those who want to kick the nicotine habit.
How does Laser Therapy work?
- It stimulates ATP production. This is a molecule that carries energy. The cells use this energy to bring in nutrition and eliminate waste products., so leading to faster healing.
- It stimulates collagen formation. Collagen is a protein that is needed to replace old tissue or to repair tissue injuries. Faster production of collagen leads to less scar formation.
- It decreases pain. Laser light can have an analgesic effect on nerve cells, blocking pain receptors.
- It accelerates repair of the Lymphatic System, which filters our lymph fluid. With an injury, the lymphatic vessels will rupture and swelling will occur. This is known as Lymphoedema. PBM Therapy repairs these torn lymph vessels and rapidly reduces swelling.
- It increases the formation of blood vessels. When injury occurs, microscopic blood vessels are ruptured which leads to bruising and swelling. PBM Therapy stimulates the repair of these vessels, restoring normal blood supply for the injured structures.
- It increases the circulating levels of Serotonin and Endorphins in the blood. Serotonin is a powerful neurotransmitter in the brain. Low Serotonin is found in Depression. Endorphins are the brain’s natural “morphine-like” chemical, and reduce pain when activated.
How many treatments will it take?
Please remember everyone heals at their own rate The frequency and duration of treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms, but there are other factors we take into account as well. We normally expect a reduction in symptoms within 4 treatments, however, some patients do take longer. Treatment times and length of treatment can vary greatly, depending on what your issue is. Once treatment is complete, you will need to follow our advice in order to avoid a return of the pain.
How often will I need to receive treatment?
This will be determined at your initial consultation, when a thorough history is taken. We also do imaging, and only after we have a complete picture of your issue do we design a treatment protocol especially for you.
Is Laser Therapy the same as surgical or cosmetic Lasers – such as the ones used for hair removal?
No, surgical lasers are more powerful. Their pulses are designed to cut skin and cauterise blood vessels. LLLT or PMB is of a much lower power (typically under 0.5 Watt) and does not produce any thermal or ablative effect, so therefore it can cause no tissue damage.
Any risk of developing skin cancer from exposure to the Laser beam?
No. To date, there has been no report of cell mutation as a result of low level laser irradiation in research articles published.
What will the Laser light do in our body?
Photons of light energy are absorbed selectively by injured cells only, and transformed into biochemical energy in the mitochondria, which are the “power plants” within all cells. The converted energy stimulates production of new proteins needed for cellular repair of injured tendon, muscle, tendon, blood vessels and nerves. Just as plants absorb light to grow and repair, so do humans.
Are there any contraindications?
PBM Therapy should be avoided in the following instances:
- Over the womb for women in their first trimester of pregnancy
- Over any cancerous tumour or secondary cancerous lesions.
- Directly into the eyes
- Over any cochlear implant.
Do I need a Doctors Referral?
No. PBM Therapy is appropriate for such a wide variety of issues. Once we have concluded the initial appointment and confirmed that we can assist you, we can book you in for treatments. If we cannot assist you we will be upfront and advise you.
Is Laser Therapy scientifically well documented?
Yes. There are more than 400 double-blind positive studies confirming the clinical effect of PBM Therapy. More than 4,000 research reports are published. About 250 papers are annually published in peer reviewed scientific papers.
What is the make of Laser that you use?
At Cold Laser Pain Relief we don’t only use one brand of laser. We have many different kinds of Lasers. We do not do anything other than Laser Therapy. We do not do physiotherapy or chiropractic adjustments or anything that takes away from our main focus.
Our Lasers range from LED’s to Class IV’s, and everything in between. That’s why we get the results that we do – with the help of our lasers and the vast knowledge we have acquired over the last 11 years, our healing hands make light work.