Laser Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain
Laser Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain Physical Therapists are highly skilled medical professionals and movement specialists, trained in Anatomy and Physiology, as well as Kinesiology.
The job duties of physical therapists include rehabilitation and strengthening for a varying number of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and neurologic conditions including but not limited to orthopedic injuries, arthritis, pre-operative, post-operative, Parkinson’s Disease, CVA, MS, etc.
Physical Therapists will perform skilled evaluations to determine extent of injury, determine the resultant impairments such as decreased strength, decreased range of motion, and determine an appropriate plan of care aimed at decreasing pain and improving function.
The Injury Care Center (ICC) provides medical services to those injured at work, in a motor vehicle accidents, and others.
The team at the ICC includes multiple board-certified physicians and specialists.
They provide specialty-trained physical therapists and chiropractors while working to collaborate with specialists in orthopedics, neurologists, pain management and psychologists as well as diagnostic groups for MRI, CT Scans, EMG, FCE, Concussion and balance testing.
Pain is a very complex and liming factor that often impacts an individual’s performance at home, work, and in recreation.
Individuals experiencing musculoskeletal pain from arthritis, a work related or motor vehicle injury may experience increased difficulty walking, bending, lifting, and performing simple daily tasks such as opening and jar or going to the grocery store.
Physical Therapists often employ the use of modalities to not only promote or accelerate the healing process, but to manage and decrease pain levels.
One modality utilized in physical rehabilitative settings, including the ICC, includes low level laser therapy.
This has been shown to reduce inflammation and edema, induce analgesia, and promote healing in a range of musculoskeletal pathologies. Low Level Laser Therapy, commonly referred to as (LLLT), and sometimes known as Low Level Light Therapy is low intensity light therapy.
The effect of the Laser is nonthermal, but rather photochemical.
The light from the Laser stimulates biochemical changes within cells and can be compared to the process of photosynthesis in plants, where the photons are absorbed by cellular photoreceptors and triggers chemical change.
Patients typically do not feel warmth, as the applicator is applied over skin similar to a flashlight.
Treatment times typically last anywhere between 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Laser at low doses has been shown to enhance cell proliferation of fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells and lymphocytes to promote healing.
LLT can also enhance neovascularization, promote angiogenesis and increase collagen synthesis to aid in the healing of acute and chronic wounds.
- Application site of Laser treatment generally includes:
- At the site of injury to promote healing, remodeling and reduce inflammation.
- Lymph nodes to reduce edema and inflammation.
- Nerves to induce analgesia (pain relief).
- Trigger points to reduce tenderness and relax contracted muscle fibers.
- Contraindications and precautions to laser treatment include
- Avoid aim laser beams into the eyes
- Do not treat over the site of any known primary carcinoma or secondary metastasis in any patient with cancer.
- Do not treatment in pregnant women over the developing fetus
- Use caution in patients with epilepsy, or photosensitive individuals.
Over 4000 studies have concluded the benefits and indications of use of Laser therapy in management and treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain.
