Laser therapy is revolutionizing chiropractic care by complementing traditional treatments to improve overall patient outcomes. It offers a non-invasive, drug-free solution for pain relief that also accelerates healing. Understanding the science and applications can elevate your practice and provide enhanced care for various conditions. This article explores what laser therapy is, what conditions it can be used to help treat, and the many benefits of using it alongside traditional chiropractic adjustments to improve patient care and treatment outcomes.
Laser therapy is a medical outpatient procedure that uses a handheld device connected to a power source of varying sizes to produce a laser of light. Lasers operate at a near-infrared frequency, at wavelengths between 660 nm and 905 nm, which allows them to penetrate the skin and body tissues to varying depths. The applicator is applied at the site of injury or discomfort, and a visible light is seen.
It works through photobiomodulation, where the body’s cells absorb the light, producing a cascade of events that increases cellular metabolism by stimulating ATP production within the mitochondria. This extra energy at the cellular level, in turn, promotes healing at the cellular level, improves blood circulation at the site of injury, and reduces inflammation, making it a great complement to many traditional forms of therapy, including chiropractic adjustments.
5 different classes of lasers are used in medicine. Classes 1, 2, 3a, and 3b are all lower-intensity lasers that produce no heat and are typically referred to as cold or low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Class 4 lasers, on the other hand, use a higher energy intensity, which produces some heat in the tissues being treated. That additional heat is typically mild rather than hot, which provides a soothing effect on muscles and other soft tissues.
For these reasons, they typically offer a more efficient dosage of energy and tend to stimulate healing and immediate pain reduction better than LLLT. Class 4 lasers are now much more widely used and researched in clinical treatments and are rapidly gaining traction in numerous applications.
Laser therapy is widely used to help provide a non-invasive, drug-free method of pain relief and is increasingly being used in chiropractic care. It can target the area of injury or discomfort to reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes at the cellular level, including healing bones and regenerating damaged nerves. These effects help to enhance mobility and flexibility, reduce muscle tightness and spasms, and accelerate recovery time. Patients see even better results when used alongside traditional chiropractic care, making it a significant benefit for chiropractic clinics.
Laser is particularly advantageous in treating inflammation because it reduces swelling and alleviates pain, which can significantly complement chiropractic adjustments. It’s also very useful for sprains and other sports-related and over-use injuries because it promotes blood flow and healing in the injured tissues. Its ability to reduce swelling and pain also makes it useful for muscle strains, bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Laser treatments are very effective in reducing inflammation, swelling, and edema. This helps to alleviate pain and has the potential to significantly improve the efficacy of traditional chiropractic treatments when inflammation is present. Reduced pain and inflammation also lead to better mobility and improved joint and muscle function, which can also be further enhanced by chiropractic adjustments.
One of the main benefits is its ability to reduce pain and discomfort in the body. Not only does this treatment help reduce inflammation, which can relieve pain, but it can also increase the production of the body’s natural endorphins. In turn, this can further help ease pain and discomfort throughout the body without patients having to risk using drug therapies.
Lasers can stimulate blood circulation and restore proper blood flow to damaged soft tissues while also promoting cellular metabolism. They increase the production of growth factors that lead to nerve regeneration and nerve damage recovery. In addition, they can increase production of fibroblasts and boost collagen levels. Together, these factors work in tandem to significantly enhance soft tissue recovery, encouraging the healing of injuries or wounds.
Research has shown that laser therapies, especially Class IV, can even have a stimulating effect on bone cells. They help accelerate the healing and repair of injured bones, with promising results seen in bones that are otherwise slow to heal independently.
There are numerous benefits of class IV light therapies when used in chiropractic care. Here are some of the potential benefits.
Laser therapy is a powerful addition to chiropractic care, offering non-invasive pain relief, reduced inflammation, and faster recovery times. Its ability to stimulate cellular metabolism, circulation in damaged tissues, nerve regeneration, and soft and hard tissue repair is a valuable tool for enhancing musculoskeletal health and improving patient outcomes. Reach out to Maven Image for a quote on top-quality Class IV laser therapy equipment tailored to meet your practice’s needs.