Laser Therapy

Clinical studies and trials of FDA cleared therapeutic laser devices
indicate the following beneficial effects of photobiomodulation therapy
on tissues and cells:
• Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth. Photons of light
from lasers penetrate deeply into tissue and accelerate cellular
reproduction and growth. No other physical therapy modality can
penetrate [ list body part and affected tissues ]. The laser light
increases the energy available to cells so that cells can take on
nutrients faster and get rid of waste products. Cells of cartilage,
bone, tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired faster after
exposure to laser light.

• Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation. Laser therapy reduces the
formation of scar tissue following tissue damage and acute and
chronic inflammatory processes. This point is paramount because
fibrous (scar) tissue is less elastic, has poorer circulation, is more
pain sensitive, is weaker, and is much more prone to re-injury and
frequent exacerbation.
• Anti-Inflammation. Laser light therapy has an anti-inflammatory
effect, as it causes vasodilation and activation of the lymphatic
drainage system. As a result, there is a reduction in swelling
caused by biomechanical stress, trauma, overuse, or systemic
conditions.
• Analgesia. Laser therapy has a beneficial effect on pain through
the suppression of nerve signal transmission over unmyelinated c-
fibers that transmit pain to the brain. This means that a greater
amount of stimuli is required to create an action potential within
the nerve to signal pain. Another pain blocking mechanism

involves the production of high levels of pain killing chemicals such
as endorphins and enkephalins from the brain and adrenal gland.
• Improved Vascular Activity. Laser light will significantly increase
the formation of new capillaries (angiogenesis) in damaged tissue
that will speed up the healing process. Additionally, the literature
has noted that microcirculation increases secondary to
vasodilation during laser treatment.
• Increased Metabolic Activity. Laser therapy creates higher
outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen, and food particle
loads for blood cells.
• Improved Nerve Function. Slow recovery of nerve function in
damaged tissue can result in motor and sensory disturbances
resulting in loss of function to the affected extremity. Laser therapy
accelerates the process of nerve cell regeneration and increases
the amplitude of action potentials to optimize motor and sensory
nerve functions.
• Immunoregulation. Laser light has a direct effect on immunity
status by stimulation of immunoglobulins and lymphocytes. Laser
light is absorbed by chromophores (molecule enzymes) within the
mitochondria that react to laser light. The cytochrome c oxidase
enzyme is activated and enhances the production of ATP
(adenosine triphosphate), which is the major carrier of cell energy
and the energy source for all chemical reactions in the cells.
• Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points. Laser therapy
stimulates muscle trigger points and acupuncture points on a
noninvasive basis providing musculoskeletal pain relief.
Additionally, a restoration of muscular tonus and balance between
agonist, antagonist, and synergistic relationships improves joint
biomechanics and protects them from potentially dangerous
stress/strain and shear forces.