Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy is a safe, painless, innovative, drug-free, and surgery-free solution for pain management. Laser Therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. During each application, laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, pain is relieved and function is restored.
GCSP uses the most advanced Class IV laser to maximize clinical benefits designed to target the body’s optimal light absorbing complexes to treat pain and accelerate the healing process. By combining several wavelengths and various modes of delivery, laser therapy at GCSP can effectively help in treating pain, decreasing inflammation, increasing circulation, and improving healing time.
What Conditions Are Treated Using Laser Therapy?
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What Are the Benefits of Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy can reduce pain, inflammation, swelling, muscle spasm, and increase the speed of healing through photobiomodulation at the cellular level where healing begins.. In the management of chronic and acute pain, it can provide dramatic results with virtually no side effects.
Laser therapy has synergistic effects with regenerative medicine by helping cells survive and enhancing the general health of the structures being treated for optimal recovery. It helps the body progress through the stages of inflammation more efficiently and enhances tissue healing. It is often used with other forms of treatment, including physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, soft tissue mobilization, electrotherapy and even following surgery.
How Many Laser Therapy Treatments Are Required and How Long is Each Treatment?
This will depend on the nature of the condition being treated. The typical treatment is between 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the nature of the condition. In general, some acute conditions may only require 4 to 6 treatments and may be treated daily. Chronic conditions may require 6 to 12 (or more) treatments on average and may require ongoing periodic care to control pain. Treatments for chronic problems should be delivered 2-3 times a week to start and tapered to once a week or less with improvement. Maintenance treatments regimens will vary and can be every week to once every other week.
How Long Before Results of Laser Therapy are Felt?
In many cases, a reduction in pain may occur after the very first treatment. In the majority of cases, patients should start to see a positive response within 3 or 4 sessions. If a response is not noticed in four treatments, a change in your settings or a re-evaluation of your condition may need to occur. Treatment effects are cumulative and the condition should improve with treatment until a plateau is reached.
What Are The Side Effects to Laser Therapy?
There is little or no sensation during treatment except a mild soothing warmth or tingling. Areas of pain or inflammation may experience a temporary increase in soreness or be sensitive before pain reduction. This will typically resolve in a few hours and may require an adjustment in treatment settings. Mild bruising from direct pressure of the laser tip or a skin reaction may occur. Patients who are photosensitive to light should avoid treatment. Specialized goggles are required to be worn by anyone in the room where the laser is being performed as laser light can result in retinal damage.
What Are The Contraindications to Laser Therapy?
- Recent corticosteroid injection at the site of treatment
- Hypersensitivity to light
- Implanted stimulator at site of treatment
- Pregnancy
- Pacemaker at site of treatment
- Use of photosensitive medications
- Active Cancer at the site of treatment
- Bleeding at the site of treatment
- Recent onset of cardiac issue
What Precautions Are Needed For Laser Therapy?
Treatments must be delivered directly to the skin to be effective and specialized goggles are required to be worn by anyone in the room where the laser therapy is being performed.
Do not use ice after a laser treatment. Treatments increase blood circulation and lymphatic flow and ice causes a reduction of blood circulation.
What does Laser Therapy cost?
Health insurance companies do not cover Laser Therapy. We offer affordable rates so that Laser Therapy can be more accessible for everyone. Please call us to learn more about our rates and packages.
Who Performs Laser Therapy at GCSP?
GCSP has certified clinical staff who have been professionally trained to effectively provide laser therapy treatments. In collaboration with your physician, they can answer questions and assess if Laser Therapy is suitable for your condition.