Lightforce Laser Therapy

What is Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is an FDA-approved medical treatment that offers patients a non- invasive way to relieve persistent forms of pain. Laser therapy stimulates the process of cellular structure using light focused with special equipment. This type of therapy treats cells by tapping into cellular mitochondria and setting off biological chain reactions. During this process, photons from the focused light penetrate the Cytochrome C complex inside of the cellular mitochondria, creating reactions that lead to a wide range of health benefits including improved microcirculation to injured tissue, reduced pain, minimization of muscle spasms, and general increases in cellular metabolism.

Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas is now offering deep tissue laser therapy that helps reduce pain and inflammation, which will be followed by a treatment plan appropriate for your medical needs. Schedule an appointment today to consult with one of our doctors about the benefits laser therapy and see if this treatment is right for you.

Treatment Solutions

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.

Acute Conditions

Therapy lasers for acute conditions are particularly effective when administered as soon as the injury has occurred (assuming there is no active hemorrhaging). Bringing pain under control quickly helps the healing process and usually helps promote better outcomes.

Chronic Conditions

With chronic conditions, research has shown that therapy lasers can be used to help combat persistent pain and promote circulation to damaged tissues. It can be a powerful, non- pharmaceutical solution to reduce pain without the side effects of medication.

Post-Activity Recovery

Laser Therapy can be found on the sidelines of many pro, college, and Olympic sports teams across the United States and many parts of Europe and Asia. Laser therapy has been shown to improve post-activity recovery times and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Applications of Laser Therapy

Our therapy lasers have useful applications in treating the following painful conditions:

  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Elbow/Joint Pain
  • Sciatica
  • Arthritis
  • Soft Tissue Damage
  • Sports Injuries
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

How Does Laser Therapy Work?

Laser therapy works by stimulating a process called photobiomodulation (PBM) in which photons enter the tissue and interact with the Cytochrome C complex within mitochondria. To receive the best therapeutic outcomes from laser therapy, a sufficient amount of light must reach the target tissue. Factors that maximize reaching target tissue include:

Light Wavelength
Reducing Reflections
Minimizing Unwanted Absorption
Power

What Type of Laser is used in our Facility?

Comprehensive Spine Center uses a Class IV Laser with our deep tissue therapy. Our Class IV Laser is the most technologically advanced laser that provides the highest wattage. Higher wattage also results in faster treatment times and provides changes in pain complaints that are unachievable with low power lasers. 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.

lasers up close

Research

“THE EFFECT OF HIGH-INTENSITY VERSUS LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL”

We aimed to compare the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis (PF). Seventy patients were randomized into either the LLLT (8 men, 27 women; mean age 48.65 ± 10.81 years) or HILT (7 men, 28 women; mean age 48.73 ± 11.41 years) groups. LLLT (904 nm) and HILT (1064 nm) were performed three times per week, over a period of 3 weeks. Each treatment combined with silicone insole and stretching exercises.

Three weeks later, both groups showed significant improvement in all parameters (p < 0.05). The HILT group demonstrated better improvement in all parameters than the LLLT group. Although both treatments improved the pain levels, function, and quality of life in patients with PF, HILT had a more significant effect than LLLT.”

Published: Lasers in Medical Science, 2018 Aug;33(6):1363-1369.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29627888/

Research

What is the purpose of laser therapy?

Laser therapy, is the process of photons entering the tissue and interacting with the cytochrome c complex within the cell mitochondria. The result of this interaction, and the point of conducting laser therapy treatments, is the biological cascade of events that leads to an increase in cellular metabolism (promoting tissue healing) and a decrease in both pain and inflammation. 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.

How long does a therapy session last?

With our lasers, treatments are quick usually 3-10 minutes depending on the size, depth, and acuteness of the condition being treated. High-power lasers are able to deliver a lot of energy in a small amount of time, allowing therapeutic dosages to be achieved quickly.

How many treatment sessions will I need?

The nature of the condition and the patient’s response to the treatments will play a key role in determining how many treatments will be needed. Most laser therapy plans of care will involve 6-12 treatments, with more treatment needed for longer standing, chronic conditions. Your doctor will develop a treatment plan that is optimal for your condition.

Is laser therapy painful? What does laser therapy feel like?

Laser therapy treatments must be administered directly to the skin, as laser light cannot penetrate through layers of clothing. You will feel a soothing warmth as the therapy is administered. Many patients receiving Laser Therapy treatments report enjoying the experience, especially when a massage-ball treatment head is used to deliver what is often referred to as a “laser massage.” Patients receiving treatments with higher-power lasers also frequently report a rapid decrease in pain.

Is laser therapy safe?

Class IV laser therapy (now called photobiomodulation) devices were cleared in 2004 by the FDA for the safe and efficacious reduction of pain and increasing micro-circulation. Therapy lasers are safe and effective treatment options to reduce musculoskeletal pain and inflammation due to injury. The biggest risk to injury during laser therapy treatments is to the eye, which is why certified, protective eyewear is always required during Laser Therapy treatments.

How often will I need to get treated with laser therapy?

Most clinicians will encourage their patients to receive 2-3 treatments per week as the therapy is initiated. There is well-documented information that supports the fact that the benefits of laser therapy are cumulative, suggesting that plans for incorporating laser as part of a patient’s plan of care should involve early, frequent treatments that may be administered less frequently as the symptoms resolve.

How long will it take until I notice a difference?

Patients often report improved sensation, including a therapeutic warmth and some analgesia immediately after the treatment. For noticeable changes in symptoms and conditions, patients should undergo a series of treatments as the benefits of laser therapy from one treatment to the next are cumulative.

Do I have to limit my activities?

Laser therapy will not limit a patient’s activities. The nature of a specific pathology and the current stage within the healing process will dictate appropriate activity levels. Lasers will often reduce pain which will make it easier to perform different activities and will often help restore more normal joint mechanics. That being said, reduced pain should not overshadow the advice of a medical professional that understands how the laser will fit into a rehabilitation protocol when deciding how aggressively to push functional limits.

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