What is laser therapy? |
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Laser therapy is a treatment that utilizes specific types of light to interact with tissues. It is also known as Cold Laser Therapy, Low Intensity Light Therapy (LILT), Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT), and PhotoBioModulation Therapy (PBMT). It is used to eliminate pain and promote healing for a wide range of medical conditions. These include acute and chronic conditions, soft tissue and sports injuries, arthritic conditions, and repetitive stress injuries among many others.
When specific wavelengths of light are applied at the correct frequency and intensity, the light is transformed by the body into biochemical energy that cells need to repair and regenerate themselves. The result is an increase in the healing rate of up to 60% and an effective option for those suffering from pain, inflammation, and degeneration of the body when nothing seems to work.
When specific wavelengths of light are applied at the correct frequency and intensity, the light is transformed by the body into biochemical energy that cells need to repair and regenerate themselves. The result is an increase in the healing rate of up to 60% and an effective option for those suffering from pain, inflammation, and degeneration of the body when nothing seems to work.
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the breakdown |
laser light transfers energy to interior cells:
Simulates natural healing
Restores normal cellular structure and function
Prevents future injury
Restores normal cellular structure and function
Prevents future injury
what you will experience:
Pain goes away
Reduced inflammation and swelling
Restored mobility
Reduced inflammation and swelling
Restored mobility
why cold laser therapy?
Healing, not just masking of pain
Safe, drug free, and no side effects
Avoid or delay the need for surgery
Accelerate and strengthen the body’s natural healing mechanisms
Safe, drug free, and no side effects
Avoid or delay the need for surgery
Accelerate and strengthen the body’s natural healing mechanisms
Short and long term effects |
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The treatments have been proven to reduce the need for medication, improve the outcomes of conditions treated, and increase the recovery rates of affected tissues. In many instances, surgery can be delayed or even avoided. The following are some of the effects of the treatment:
- Increases endorphin production which allows for reduction in pain medication
- Elevates adenosine triphosphate production which increases energy for the cells
- Modulates white blood cells which improves immune response
- Stimulates DNA production and cell division which increases the rate of healing
- Promotes collagen syntheses which enhances muscle, tendon and ligament strength
- Improves lymphatic drainage which causes a reduction in swelling
- Promotes angiogenesis and the creation of new blood vessels which improves circulation
- Reduces inflammation and swelling leading to faster recovery time
- Reduces the formation of fibrous tissue and scar tissue which promotes healthy tissue recovery
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treatable conditions |
OSTEOARTHRITIS
BACK PAIN
SCIATICA
KNEE PAIN
NECK PAIN
HEADACHES
SHOULDER INJURY
PLANTAR FASCIITIS
ACHILLES TENDINITIS
GOLFER'S ELBOW AND TENNIS ELBOW
INTERNAL SCAR TISSUE
MANY OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS
tHE IDEA BEHIND COLD LASER THERAPY |
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THE HEALING POWER OF LIGHT
The concept of cold laser therapy is actually quite simple. As humans, light plays a very important role in our existence. Similar to how plant cells require light for photosynthesis, our cells need light to power many of the normal processes that keep us healthy and happy. As long as we are exposed to enough regular sunlight, our skin absorbs the light we need and our cells can use it for many of their normal functions. If our cells are working normally, then our bodies are able to withstand different stresses from day to day activities and heal various ailments.
Light therapy is not a new concept. It has been and continues to be used by doctors to treat a wide variety of conditions. For example, light has shown to be effective for treating many skin conditions including psoriasis and acne, depression, and even tuberculosis before there were medications. Most people who suffer from arthritis can attest to the fact that their pain usually reduces or even completely subsides during the summer months or on a vacation to a sunny destination.
Vitamin D, critical for keeping our bones healthy and strong, is created in our bodies by a process that requires sunlight. In places where there isn’t much sunlight available year round, people are usually encouraged to take vitamin D supplements during the darker months to help support their bones and prevent against bone-softening conditions such as rickets (in children) or osteoporosis.
When we experience pain or inflammation from a problem or injury in an area of our body, the normal cellular processes slow down and our body has trouble healing as a result. Blood flow to these areas also gets interrupted, which restricts the ability of important nutrients to be delivered to the cells that need to heal.
Light therapy is not a new concept. It has been and continues to be used by doctors to treat a wide variety of conditions. For example, light has shown to be effective for treating many skin conditions including psoriasis and acne, depression, and even tuberculosis before there were medications. Most people who suffer from arthritis can attest to the fact that their pain usually reduces or even completely subsides during the summer months or on a vacation to a sunny destination.
Vitamin D, critical for keeping our bones healthy and strong, is created in our bodies by a process that requires sunlight. In places where there isn’t much sunlight available year round, people are usually encouraged to take vitamin D supplements during the darker months to help support their bones and prevent against bone-softening conditions such as rickets (in children) or osteoporosis.
When we experience pain or inflammation from a problem or injury in an area of our body, the normal cellular processes slow down and our body has trouble healing as a result. Blood flow to these areas also gets interrupted, which restricts the ability of important nutrients to be delivered to the cells that need to heal.
THE science
Scientific research conducted over the last few decades has shown that human cells heal better and faster when the right wavelengths of light energy get delivered to them.
Cold laser therapy shines a concentrated amount of only helpful wavelengths of light vital for healing (red and infrared parts of the spectrum) directly on targeted areas. This allows the bones, ligaments, and tissues deep inside our bodies to be exposed to the healthy light that otherwise cannot reach these areas. By delivering just the helpful parts of the light spectrum, the overall laser light power can be kept at very low and therefore very safe levels, which will not burn or otherwise harm the skin or any other tissues. Cold laser therapy delivers light based energy to cells, helping to accelerate the body’s natural healing process at the cellular level. It targets injured cells, resulting in elimination and prevention of pain, reduction of inflammation and swelling, and improved range of motion. Laser therapy does not just mask the pain, it actively stimulates healing to resolve musculoskeletal conditions for the long term.
Cold laser therapy shines a concentrated amount of only helpful wavelengths of light vital for healing (red and infrared parts of the spectrum) directly on targeted areas. This allows the bones, ligaments, and tissues deep inside our bodies to be exposed to the healthy light that otherwise cannot reach these areas. By delivering just the helpful parts of the light spectrum, the overall laser light power can be kept at very low and therefore very safe levels, which will not burn or otherwise harm the skin or any other tissues. Cold laser therapy delivers light based energy to cells, helping to accelerate the body’s natural healing process at the cellular level. It targets injured cells, resulting in elimination and prevention of pain, reduction of inflammation and swelling, and improved range of motion. Laser therapy does not just mask the pain, it actively stimulates healing to resolve musculoskeletal conditions for the long term.
how it works
The BioFlex Cold Laser Therapy system is a three step process using three different and very specific wavelengths of light administered by a trained laser therapist.
The first step uses a red light pad at 660 nm, which gets absorbed by the cells of the skin and underlying superficial muscle layers, reducing sensitivity caused in those areas. The second step uses an infrared light pad at 840 nm, reaching deeper into the muscle layers as well as the tendons and ligaments to reduce inflammation and heal damaged tissues. The third step includes an infrared laser wand at 830 nm that is specifically placed over the source of pain. This light is very concentrated and targets the deepest affected tissues, including bone. In combination, these steps lead to the reduction and eventual elimination of pain and restored mobility.
The first step uses a red light pad at 660 nm, which gets absorbed by the cells of the skin and underlying superficial muscle layers, reducing sensitivity caused in those areas. The second step uses an infrared light pad at 840 nm, reaching deeper into the muscle layers as well as the tendons and ligaments to reduce inflammation and heal damaged tissues. The third step includes an infrared laser wand at 830 nm that is specifically placed over the source of pain. This light is very concentrated and targets the deepest affected tissues, including bone. In combination, these steps lead to the reduction and eventual elimination of pain and restored mobility.
what to expect
The number of suggested treatment sessions will depend on the type and severity of your condition. Typically, results may be experienced within 3-5 treatments. Full resolution can take anywhere from 5 to 30 treatments. For very severe or chronic conditions, it may be recommended to continue with maintenance treatments once every 1 to 3 months to maintain positive results.
Steps 1 and 2 use different wavelengths of light, but have similar looking pads. The pads are placed in one or more prescribed positions over the area to be treated. The first of these pads emits visible red light at a wavelength of 660 nm. The second pad emits invisible infrared light at a wavelength of 840 nm.
During the third step, a trained laser therapist uses a wand emitting a focused laser light at a wavelength of 830 nm pointing towards the interior cells to be treated. The laser therapist will gently place the laser wand on the skin for a few seconds and then slightly move the wand to a new position, repeating this process for the prescribed amount of treatment time. This movement is needed to ensure the laser wand’s narrowly focused beam of light reaches the entire area to be treated.
Steps 1 and 2 use different wavelengths of light, but have similar looking pads. The pads are placed in one or more prescribed positions over the area to be treated. The first of these pads emits visible red light at a wavelength of 660 nm. The second pad emits invisible infrared light at a wavelength of 840 nm.
During the third step, a trained laser therapist uses a wand emitting a focused laser light at a wavelength of 830 nm pointing towards the interior cells to be treated. The laser therapist will gently place the laser wand on the skin for a few seconds and then slightly move the wand to a new position, repeating this process for the prescribed amount of treatment time. This movement is needed to ensure the laser wand’s narrowly focused beam of light reaches the entire area to be treated.
frequently asked questions
is it safe?
Yes. BioFlex Laser Therapy is non-toxic, non-invasive, and will not interact with any medications you may be taking. The laser can also be safely used over metal implants, pacemakers, and other devices.
what does it feel like?
The treatment is entirely painless. Some clients may experience a mild warmth and/or tingling sensation during the treatment. After the first or second treatment sessions, it is common to feel mild tenderness in the area, similar to what you feel after a day of housework or after a good workout. This happens because of increased blood flow and circulation to the treated areas.
what are the side effects?
Occasionally, some clients experience a minor exacerbation of symptoms for a period of time after treatment, typically lasting no more than 24 hours. Otherwise, no known negative side effects have been reported.
is there exposure to harmful radiation?
No. BioFlex Laser Therapy does not use harmful radiation. It uses specific wavelengths of light (660nm, 830nm, and 840nm) to heal targeted areas. If you have read the word “radiation” associated with cold laser therapy, it is referring to the transmission of energy from light to the cells.
how many treatments will i need?
After your initial assessment, you will be presented with an individualized treatment plan that is aimed at helping you achieve the best results. The number of suggested treatment sessions will depend on the condition being treated. Typically, results may be experienced within 3-5 treatments. Full resolution can take anywhere from 5 to 30 treatments. Most conditions can resolve fully with cold laser therapy. For chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease, it may be recommended to continue with maintenance treatments once every 1 to 3 months to maintain positive results.
why is it called cold laser therapy?
Cold Laser Therapy is also known as Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), and formally called Near-Infrared Irradiation PhotoBioModulation (NIR-PBM). The words Cold, Low Level, or Low Intensity indicate that this type of laser therapy uses light energy levels that are low enough so it can not burn tissue. Hot lasers, or high intensity lasers produce more light energy and are often used to cut or cauterize tissue. An example of this would be the lasers used for hair removal. Not all lasers used for soft tissue and joint issues are cold lasers. There are some hot lasers used for this purpose, however, the treatment is applied differently than the cold lasers and can damage tissues if not applied correctly. We call it Cold Laser Therapy, simply because we find that term easier to remember and less of a mouthful to say than the other terms.
when should i begin laser therapy treatments?
It is never too early or too late to begin laser therapy treatments. It is best to start laser therapy as soon as you sustain an injury to kick start the healing process and prevent it from becoming a chronic condition.
how long are the treatments?
The length of a BioFlex Laser Therapy treatment is approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on the area and condition being treated.
why did we choose the bioflex cold laser therapy system?
We believe that many – if not most – of the wide variety of commercially offered technologies can lead to good healing results when used and applied correctly. However, our technology of choice is what we consider to be the most comprehensive system on the market today:
- It utilizes cold laser light (class 3B lasers), which are considered a lower risk than hot laser based systems (class 4 lasers).
- It has laser light and LED light components as part of an integrated approach to light therapy, thus giving us the best of both technologies. (LED lights typically cover a larger area, but don’t reach the cells deeper under the skin. Laser light doesn’t cover quite as large of an area, but can reach cells located several cm under the skin.) The BioFlex Laser system integrates both LED and laser light into one system, while most other systems use either laser light or LED light, but not both.
- It features the two most useful wavelengths in the red and near-infrared parts of the spectrum. There is very wide agreement in the industry about the light wavelengths (colors) most beneficial to healing.
- It is a very flexible system, allowing us to continually adapt the latest scientific research and most modern and best treatment methods into our practice. It can deliver at different power levels; continuous light; or pulsed light at selectable frequencies, duty-cycles, and pulsing waveforms.
- We can pre-configure highly customized treatment protocols for different conditions and different treatment areas for each of our clients. We consider this very important, since light therapy works best when it’s specifically customized for individuals taking into account factors such as age, body-type, skin-tone, recency of injury, chronicity of condition, and more. Also, pre-configuring individual customized protocols saves our clients time, since there is much less programming involved during each treatment session.
- The BioFlex laser therapy technology was created, tested and proven in a large laser clinic environment over many years.
For more information, visit BioFlexLaser.com