What is Laser therapy used for?

Laser therapy has many different indications. The book Laser Therapy-Clinical

Practice and Scientific Background by Turner and Hode has references to many articles that have been written on the beneficial effects of laser therapy. Laser therapy has been shown to relive pain, resolve inflammation and increase the quality and speed of tissue repair. It has also been shown to stimulate the immune system, resolve infection and improve the function of damaged nerve tissue. As a result, you can see how it has so many uses in a podiatry practice. We use it on tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, wounds (chronic and post operative) and neuropathy to mention just a few.
 

How does Laser Therapy work?

How is it possible that one modality can have a positive effect on so many

different tissues? The answer is that it works on the cellular level. The photons, which are the packets of light energy from the laser, penetrate through the skin and into the cells. The cells are then able to convert this light energy to chemical energy that is able to promote healing and pain relief. The light energy is absorbed in the cytochromes (receptors in the cell) As a result of this; the rate of ATP production from the cell is increased. This brings the rate of cell metabolism from a depressed rate, as is the case in damaged tissue, to a normal level. As a result of this increased cell metabolism, many different biological effects may occur. One is that cell growth is stimulated among all different tissues; tendon, bone, skin, nerve and muscle can all be affected. Laser light has been shown to regenerate nerve cells and stimulate nerve function. There has been shown to be an increase in prostaglandins, enzymes and cellular products after laser therapy. Angiogenesis can occur as well as a reduction of fibrous tissue formation, which is beneficial to healing of chronic wounds. The end result of all of these biological effects is reduction of pain, resolution of inflammation and increased tissue repair.

• http://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/SBIR/successes/ss/8-058text.html

• www.warp-heals.com/specs/Warp75.htm

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• http://www.sbir.nasa.gov/SBIR/successes/ss/8-035text.html

• http://www.laser.nu/

• www.steinorthopedic.com/services_laser.html

• http://www.standardmedicalsystems.com/lt.php