As science and technology advance every year so does the technology for treating patients. Laser therapies have started to become more standard for treating both sudden onset and chronic conditions. While adjustments will always be the primary tool for your Rochester chiropractor, the addition of laser therapy can be beneficial and significantly speed up recovery. Let’s talk about laser therapy, the different classifications, how the laser works to treat musculoskeletal conditions, and why it is very safe to use.
Research on the use of lasers in the medical field began in the 1960s. Originally, lasers were being tested as a cancer treatment. The research was looking at the effect of different lasers on tumor cells in rats. While the laser was not strong enough to kill the tumor, they instead found an interesting side effect to the area where the laser was applied. The wound healed and the hair grew back faster at the sites that laser was applied. After this finding, research on the healing effects of laser therapy took off and in 2003 the FDA approved therapeutic class IV laser use.
Lasers are classified by their power output and class IV specifically means that the laser has a power output above 500 mW (milliwatts). All lasers can be used to treat pain, but class IV specifically accelerates healing processes through something called biostimulation. High energy photons from the laser are converted into chemical energy by the cells responsible for inflammation, cellular repair, and regeneration. This extra energy accelerates their function and healing capabilities. The relief felt from class IV lasers isn’t just analgesic, but real healing taking place. The higher power also allows for deeper tissues to experience the biostimulation effect and allows treatment to be done to almost any part of the body.
The use of laser therapy may sound ominous and some may be questioning its safety, but in reality, the treatments are very safe. One of the myths behind high-powered laser therapy is that it will damage healthy tissues around the injured site. Only very precise and highly dense lasers can damage tissues. These are used by the medical field in surgical settings but the therapeutic lasers used in chiropractic offices are unable to reach those power densities. The only concern when working with high-powered lasers is eye protection. Even though you can’t see It, the laser light can reflect off the skin and walls. Without care, high-energy photons can cause damage to your eyes. Proper eye protection must be worn at all times when the laser is active, even when you are not looking directly at the laser.
If you are interested in trying laser therapy, schedule an appointment at Rush-Henrietta Family Chiropractic. Our chiropractor in Rochester is one of the few that uses a class IV laser to treat many different types of conditions. Laser therapy is fast, feels great, and doesn’t produce any nasty side effects. In 5 to 10 minutes you could see instant relief from your pain. Call our office and ask about laser therapy today.
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