There are people that live with chronic pain due to illness and injury. For years, pain killers were the main way to treat their problems. With the side effects and addictive nature of pain killers, patients needed a new and safer way to end the pain.
Laser therapy for pain is becoming a method of controlling pain for many issues. People with back and neck pain, knee pain, neuropathy, tennis elbow, and plantar fasciitis use this treatment.
People associate lasers with science fiction. People use lasers in many different industries including pain management.
Check out how laser pain therapy can help you.
Laser Therapy for Pain Begins With Frequency and Wavelength
Lasers come in all colors and powers, but these equate to the frequency and wavelength. The wavelength determines the visible color, measured in nanometers, and frequency, measured in milliwatts, the power.
When lasers reach above 800 nanometers in frequency, they are able to penetrate the body like an x-ray. How far it can penetrate depends on the frequency.
There are two primary laser types used for pain therapy: low-level laser therapy below 500 milliwatts and high-power laser therapy above 500 milliwatts.
How Lasers Help with Pain
The clinician doing the treatment holds the laser in a wand and places it onto the affected area. Lasers emit photons and enter the skin at a depth dependent on the frequency.
The cells absorb energy, which helps with pain and inflammation. The light limits the production of a chemical called bradykinin, which decreased nerve sensitivity.
It also causes the release of endorphins and enkephalins, which are natural pain relievers. The laser can help block pain receptors.
When it comes to reducing swelling, lasers ramp up the production of chemicals that helps improve cell repair. The photons widen the veins and arteries that increase oxygen and nutrients to the system, while removing damaged cells.
It also improves the white cell count. Lasers also reduce the production of molecules that cause inflammation.
What Ailments Can Laser Therapy Treat?
Lasers can stimulate cell growth and improve wound health. They can treat a wide variety of painful problems. They can help with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and tendonitis as well as injuries such as back pain, carpal tunnel, and knee and neck pain.
The effectiveness of the treatment depends on the situation and the length of treatment. Minor issues can begin feeling better after only a few short treatments, but others may need longer and frequent treatments before it begins feeling better.
The long-term goal is the permanent reduction or elimination of pain and stimulation of the body’s own healing processes. Unlike prescription treatment, laser therapy has no negative side effects, although safety protection such as goggles should be worn by the clinician and patient at all times.
Laser Therapy Treatment is Growing
More and more hospitals and doctors are using laser therapy for pain because it’s a natural and harmless way to stimulate the body’s own healing mechanisms without the risk of chemical dependency.
If you want to learn more about laser pain therapy and other therapies, please explore our site.