Laser Therapy
In our office, we utilize different laser therapy devices. Laser therapy (low-level laser therapy or LLLT), better known as Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, is a great way to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, accelerate healing, and mitigate pain by stimulating natural processes that occurs at the cellular level. It’s universally known for its non-invasive, safe, and pain free procedure, saving you time off work and improved activity of daily living.
Who can benefit from PBM Therapy?
PBM therapy is utilized to treat a wide variety of health conditions. These are just a few examples of conditions that research has shown to benefit from this therapy:
Chronic Pain Sufferers
People with Chronic Pain
Individuals suffering from long-term pain conditions, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, can find relief through PBM therapy. By reducing inflammation and improving tissue health, PBM can help manage pain without the need for medications or invasive procedures.
Athletes & Active Individuals
Athletes & Active Individuals
Athletes or those who suffer from sports/activity injuries, muscle strains, overuse injuries, or muscle soreness due to working out can use PBM therapy to recover faster. PBM helps reduce muscle soreness, repair soft tissues, improve joint range of motion, and lower the risk of further injury by improving the strength and resilience of muscles, tendons, and ligament.
People with Joint Problems
People with Joint Problems
People with conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis often have chronic joint pain and stiffness. PBM therapy helps reduce inflammation in the joints, improve mobility, and relieve pain, making it easier for these patients to move and perform daily activities.
Post-Surgery Patients
Post-Surgery Patients
PBM is also commonly used after surgeries to speed up the healing process, including broken bones or joint replacements. It helps reduce post-surgical swelling and pain while promoting the regeneration of healthy tissue. This can lead to quicker recovery times, less discomfort, and overall better performance of the tissue that was cut into.
Individuals with Nerve Damage
Individuals with Nerve Damage
Nerve damage can cause conditions like peripheral neuropathy or carpal tunnel syndrome, both of which can result in chronic pain and loss of function. PBM therapy has been shown to help regenerate nerves and reduce the pain associated with these conditions.
Skin Conditions
Patients with Skin Conditions
PBM is effective for treating inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It helps reduce redness, swelling, and irritation by calming down the body’s immune response in the skin. Additionally, PBM can improve the skin’s ability to repair itself after injury.
Neurodegenerative Diseases
People with Neurodegenerative Diseases
Recent research has shown that PBM may be beneficial for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. These diseases involve the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain and body, leading to symptoms like memory loss, movement problems, and difficulty with everyday tasks. As more and more research is being done, this is likely going to be the therapy that is first used to help halt or reverse these conditions. PBM’s ability to reduce inflammation and stimulate cellular energy production has been found to have protective effects on nerve cells. For example, in Alzheimer’s disease, PBM has been shown to improve cognitive function, possibly by reducing inflammation in the brain and increasing the energy available to nerve cells which can lead to healing of the nerves and brain tissue. Similarly, PBM may help people with Parkinson’s disease by improving muscle control and reducing tremors.
How does PBM Therapy work?
PBM therapy works by delivering energy in the form of light photons to the body at specific wavelengths, usually in the red or near-infrared spectrum. These wavelengths of light penetrate through the skin and interact with cells, especially with the part of the cell called the mitochondria. Mitochondria are known as the “powerhouses” of cells because they produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the main source of energy that cells use to carry out their functions.
When light from PBM therapy reaches the mitochondria, it boosts the production of ATP, providing more energy for cells to repair themselves and function properly. If the cells are starved for energy, very little energy can be utilized to perform the healing mechanisms it requires. In addition to increasing energy, PBM also improves blood circulation, lymphatic flow, and reduces inflammation by promoting the release of chemicals called cytokines. These changes help the body heal faster and reduce pain.
In essence, PBM acts like a battery charger for your cells, giving them the power they need to heal, regenerate, and perform better. It’s a natural way to improve how your body works and helps address both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) conditions.
How we utilize PBM Therapy
Whether you are looking to treat a local area, multiple areas, or wanting it for overall health, we have the devices you need! In our office, we use Summus Horizon Laser as well as the Summus Vita Light Therapy Bed. The Horizon allows us to target specific areas to heal faster, improve circulation, and reduce the pain of the area. This is a great tool if you just have one or two areas that need help.
If you are looking for overall anti-aging with collagen formation of the skin, anti-inflammation for the whole body, improved circulation, reducing overall muscle soreness from working out, increased lymphatic flow for the whole body, or if you are just looking for an overall improvement to the health of all the tissues of your body, then the Vita Light Therapy Bed is for you.
Click on the images below to learn more about each device and what they can do for your health.
