Laser Therapy
Deliver evidence-based treatment to support pain relief, reduce inflammation, promote tissue regeneration, and improve recovery outcomes with advanced laser therapy.
WHAT IS LASER THERAPY?
Laser therapy is a medical treatment that uses focused light to stimulate a process called photobiomodulation, or PBM. During PBM, photons enter the tissue and interact with the cytochrome C complex within mitochondria. This interaction triggers a biological cascade of events that leads to an increase in cellular metabolism, decrease in pain, reduction in muscle spasm and improved microcirculation to injured tissue. This treatment is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological alternative for pain relief.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED WITH LASER THERAPY?
Laser therapy is used to treat acute and chronic conditions as well as post-activity recovery. It is also used as another option to prescription drugs, a tool to prolong the need for some surgeries, as well as pre and post surgery treatment to help control pain and swelling.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLASS IIIB VS CLASS IV THERAPY LASERS
Effective laser therapy administration is a direct function of power and time as it relates to the dose delivered. Administering the optimal treatment dose to patients produces consistent positive outcomes. Class IV therapy lasers provide more energy to deep structures in less time. This ultimately assists in providing an energy dose that results in positive, reproducible outcomes. Higher wattage also results in faster treatment times and provides changes in pain complaints that are unachievable with low power lasers.
LightForce® lasers provide a level of versatility unrivaled by other Class I, II, and IIIb lasers due to their ability to treat both superficial and deep tissue conditions.
WHY DO DIFFERENT LASER WAVELENGTHS MATTER?
Different wavelengths of laser light interact with tissue in different ways. Combining 810 nm and 980 nm wavelengths provides complementary effects, supporting the cellular processes involved in tissue recovery while also targeting pathways associated with pain.
810 nm | Supporting cellular energy and recovery
The 810 nm wavelength interacts with cytochrome c oxidase within the mitochondria, supporting increased ATP production and cellular energy. These photobiomodulation effects are associated with processes involved in tissue repair, inflammation and local circulation.
810 nm → Cellular activity → ATP production → Tissue recovery
980 nm | Supporting pain management
The 980 nm wavelength interacts with different tissue targets, including pathways associated with nociception. This provides a complementary mechanism that can support the management of pain alongside the cellular effects of the 810 nm wavelength.
980 nm → Pain-related pathways → Pain modulation
Why combine 810 nm and 980 nm?
Using both wavelengths allows laser therapy to address different biological processes involved in pain and recovery, providing a complementary approach rather than relying on a single mechanism.
WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL INDICATIONS OF LASER THERAPY?
- TMJ6,7
- Neck Pain8
- Shoulder Pain9,10,11
- Elbow & Joint Pain12
- Fibromyalgia13
- Sciatica16,17
- Arthritis18
- Sports Injuries19,20
- Soft Tissue Damage21
- Plantar Fasciitis22,23
- Back pain 1,2,7
- Tendinopathy 5,6,8,9
- Muscle and ligament injury
- Bursitis / Capsulitis 3
- Nerve compression / Radiculopathy
This treatment is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological alternative for pain relief.
WHAT DOES THE EVIDENCE SAY?
FAQs
References:
1. Abbasgholizadeh ZS, Evren B, Ozkan Y. Evaluation of the efficacy of different treatment modalities for painful temporomandibular disorders. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 May;49(5):628-635.
2. Khairnar S, Bhate K, S N SK, Kshirsagar K, Jagtap B, Kakodkar P. Comparative evaluation of low-level laser therapy and ultrasound heat therapy in reducing temporomandibular joint disorder pain. J Dent Anesth Pain Med. 2019 Oct;19(5):289-294.
3. Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. Lancet. 2009 Dec 5;374(9705):1897-908.
4. Santamato A, Solfrizzi V, Panza F, Tondi G, Frisardi V, Leggin BG, Ranieri M, Fiore P. Short-term effects of high-intensity laser therapy versus ultrasound therapy in the treatment of people with subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. Phys Ther. 2009 Jul;89(7):643-52.
5. Kim SH, Kim YH, Lee HR, Choi YE. Short-term effects of high-intensity laser therapy on frozen shoulder: A prospective randomized control study. Man Ther. 2015 Dec;20(6):751-7.
6. Awotidebe AW, Inglis-Jassiem G, Young T. Low-level laser therapy and exercise for patients with shoulder disorders in physiotherapy practice (a systematic review protocol). Syst Rev. 2015 Apr 30;4:60.
7. Panton L, Simonavice E, Williams K, Mojock C, Kim JS, Kingsley JD, McMillan V, Mathis R. Effects of Class IV laser therapy on fibromyalgia impact and function in women with fibromyalgia. J Altern Complement Med. 2013 May;19(5):445-52.
8. Roberts DB, Kruse RJ, Stoll SF. The effectiveness of therapeutic class IV (10 W) laser treatment for epicondylitis. Lasers Surg Med. 2013 Jul;45(5):311-7.
9. Alayat MS, Atya AM, Ali MM, Shosha TM. Long-term effect of high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized blinded placebo-controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2014 May;29(3):1065-73.
10. Yousefi-Nooraie R, Schonstein E, Heidari K, Rashidian A, Pennick V, Akbari-Kamrani M, Irani S, Shakiba B, Mortaz Hejri SA, Mortaz Hejri SO, Jonaidi A. Low level laser therapy for nonspecific low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD005107.
11. Holanda VM, Chavantes MC, Silva DF, de Holanda CV, de Oliveira JO Jr, Wu X, Anders JJ. Photobiomodulation of the dorsal root ganglion for the treatment of low back pain: A pilot study. Lasers Surg Med. 2016 Sep;48(7):653-9.
12. Jovicić M, Konstantinović L, Lazović M, Jovicić V. Clinical and functional evaluation of patients with acute low back pain and radiculopathy treated with different energy doses of low level laser therapy. Vojnosanit Pregl. 2012 Aug;69(8):656-62.
13. Dima R, Tieppo Francio V, Towery C, Davani S. Review of Literature on Low-level Laser Therapy Benefits for Nonpharmacological Pain Control in Chronic Pain and Osteoarthritis. Altern Ther Health Med. 2018 Sep;24(5):8-10.
14. Alves AN, Fernandes KP, Deana AM, Bussadori SK, Mesquita-Ferrari RA. Effects of low-level laser therapy on skeletal muscle repair: a systematic review. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Dec;93(12):1073-85.
15. Dornelles MP, Fritsch CG, Sonda FC, Johnson DS, Leal-Junior ECP, Vaz MA, Baroni BM. Photobiomodulation therapy as a tool to prevent hamstring strain injuries by reducing soccer-induced fatigue on hamstring muscles. Lasers Med Sci. 2019 Aug;34(6):1177-1184.
16. Alves AN, Fernandes KP, Deana AM, Bussadori SK, Mesquita-Ferrari RA. Effects of low-level laser therapy on skeletal muscle repair: a systematic review. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Dec;93(12):1073-85.
17. Ordahan B, Karahan AY, Kaydok E. The effect of high-intensity versus low-level laser therapy in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized clinical trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2018 Aug;33(6):1363-1369.
18. Tiwari, Mukesh & Lamba, Dheeraj. (2014). Benefical effects of Low Level Laser Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders of Foot-Plantar Fasciitis, a Review. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal. 8(1):70