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What is Laser Therapy?

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Back October, we purchased our first low level laser. Dr. Jeremy had been researching this technology for many years, looking for the right company and the right device. He finally pulled the trigger and purchased an Erchonia laser in hopes of helping his youngest son with some chronic knee pain and to help Dr. Sandy with some lingering scar tissue issues. He also wanted to use it in the office to complement chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture treatments. We have been amazed with the results!

Erchonia was founded in 1996 and currently holds 22 of the 25 FDA clearances for low level lasers. Their lasers are the most energetic in the low level laser therapy market. Erchonia lasers use low-level lasers in the visible spectrum to stimulate healing through light therapy. These lasers have incredible versatility, treating a wide range of conditions. In addition, it is a great tool for overall health & well-being due to the lasers’ stimulation of the mitochondria.

Top 10 Biological Effects of Laser Therapy

Clinical studies and trials of laser therapy technology indicate the following beneficial effects of low level laser

  1. Reduces Inflammation – Low level laser therapy creates an anti-edema effect by dilating blood vessels and activating the lymphatic drainage system (which drains the swollen area). This reduces swelling caused by trauma.
  2. Analgesic (Reduces pain) – This therapy partially blocks the neural transmission of pain signals to the brain and decreases nerve sensitivity. Laser light lessens pain by reducing swelling. It also modulates pathways that involve the production of high levels of pain-killing chemicals such as endorphins, enkephalins & opioids from the brain and adrenal glands.
  3. Accelerated Tissue Repair & Growth – Photons of light penetrate deeply into tissues and speed up cellular reproduction and growth. The laser also increases the energy available to the cell by increasing ATP production so the cell can take on nutrients & get rid of waste faster.
  4. Improved Vascular Activity – These lasers significantly increases the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue, which speeds up healing, closes wounds more quickly and reduces scarring. The vasodilation caused by the laser also improves the delivery of blood and healing elements to the damaged tissue.
  5. Increased Metabolic Activity – Low level laser therapy stimulates higher output of pro-healing enzymes in blood cells along with improved oxygen ad nutrient delivery.
  6. Trigger points & Acupuncture points – Low level laser therapy stimulates these points and can provide musculoskeletal pain relief.
  7. Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation – Low level laser therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns or surgery.
  8. Improved Nerve Function – This therapy speeds up the process of axonal regeneration & nerve cell reconnection as well as increases the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action.
  9. Immunoregulation – Low level laser therapy directly affects immunity status by stimulating production of immunoglobulins and lymphocytes as well as improves the ease of penetration of white blood cells into damaged tissue.
  10. Faster Wound Healing – Low level laser therapy stimulates fibroblasts (the building block of collagen) development in damaged tissue and collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue and repair tissue injuries.

There are now over 11,000 studies in PubMed (which is an extensive citation and abstract database that includes millions of entries from various journals and other sources, providing a broad overview of the medical literature). You can use this link to see the studies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=low+level+laser+therapy

Laser treatments in our office can be done stand-alone or in combination with a chiropractic adjustment or acupuncture appointment. Fees are dependent on the number of lasers used, the length of time of the treatment or if done in combination with other services. About 90% of patients report noticing symptomatic improvement in as little as one treatment! However, research shows a frequency of at least 2 treatments/week for 3-5 weeks to be extremely effective. We have laser treatment packages available and we hope to be offering laser home rental in the very near future. Got questions? Call, text or message us!