Cold Laser Therapy is a safe, painless, and effective treatment approach for a wide range of medical conditions. Laser Therapy can reduce inflammation and swelling, alleviate pain, increase the rate of wound healing, and effectively treat a variety of musculo-skeletal problems, both acute and chronic Unlike other "Laser Only Clinics", Physiotherapists at Airdrie Physiotherapy & Massage use laser therapy in conjunction with other treatment methods to resolve the underlying problem not just alleviate pain and inflammation symptoms. This will ensure that the problem will not return and the issue that caused the pain originally is corrected. Laser treatments can take anywhere from 2-15 minutes, depending on the area, depth, and severity of the condition and are combined within a Physiotherapy Treatment with no additional cost. Pain relief can be seen within the first few sessions with many patients experiencing reduced pain after the first treatment. Common medical conditions treated with Laser Therapy include; Arthritis • Back Pain • Carpal Tunnel • Tension Headaches • Neck Discomfort • Tendinitis/Tendonopathy • Sprains and strains • Myofascial Trigger Points • Medial/Lateral Epicondylitis • Plantar Fasciitis • Bursitis • Knee Pain • Tennis Elbow EndFragment
FAQ
What is Laser Therapy and how does it work? Low Level Laser Light Therapy uses red and infrared light for the relief of pain, to accelerate healing time and decrease inflammation. When the light source is placed against the skin, the photons penetrate several centimeters and get absorbed by the mitochondria, the energy producing part of a cell. This energy fuels many positive physiological responses resulting in the restoration of normal cell morphology and function. It effective for all age ranges in treating both acute and chronic injuries. A trained Physiotherapist will assess if laser therapy is beneficial to your specific injury treatment plan. Depending on the type of injury the Physiotherapist will adjust the laser intensity and apply the treatment for the recommended time.
Is there an extra charge for Laser? At Airdrie Physiotherapy & Massage Laser is incorporated into our Physiotherapy treatments at no additional cost. Laser Therapy is used in conjunction with other Physio treatment methods to resolve the underlying problem not just alleviate pain and inflammation symptoms. This will ensure that the problem will not return and the issue that caused the pain originally is corrected.
Is Laser Therapy Safe? Laser Therapy is a safe, painless, and medication-free treatment. It has been used in England, Canada, and Europe for over 20 years with no documented adverse side effects. Laser therapy is a non-medical procedure and is respected by many physicians as a highly effective treatment.
Does Laser Therapy hurt? There is mild or no sensation during treatment. Occasionally one feels a mild, soothing warmth or tingling.
What conditions can Laser Therapy treat? Laser therapy can treat a wide variety or injuries and chronic pain Including but not limited to:
Soft Tissue Injuries: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Tendinitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sprains, Strains, Myofascial Trigger Points, Epicondylitis (tennis elbow), Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs, Chondromalacia Patella, Whiplash
Degenerative Joint Conditions: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Neurogenic Pain: Shingles, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Fibromyalgia, RSD (complex regional pain syndrome)
What is a Super Pulsed Laser? Our Lasers are Super Pulsed. Super Pulsing allows for deeper penetration than a laser of the same wavelength that is not Super Pulsed or "Continuous" but has the same average output power. This is because ultimately short pulses allow for quick absorption. In addition, the period between pulses promotes a better environment for an optimum pain relief. Each impulse of the Super Pulsed Laser produces high peak power delivered for a very brief duration (thousandths of a second). It is the high power level during each pulse that creates the energy density necessary to deliver adequate doses to the target tissue. Even though the pulse peaks at a high power level, there are no thermal effects in the tissue. Therefore, the peak power of a pulsed laser is high compared to its average output power. By using Super Pulsed Lasers, one is able to more effectively deliver higher densities of light energy into the tissue without the associated deleterious thermal effects.
Can Laser Therapy cause cancer? The answer is no. Laser Therapy is very safe because it generally utilizes wavelengths above 632 nm. Therefore the laser beam is not producing ionizing radiation (which can cause cancer) like X-rays, Gamma rays etc. It is even safer than ordinary sunlight. Sunlight contains cancer-causing wavelengths (below 320 nm) such as ultra violet light.
How long and how many sessions will I need. The average treatment duration is 2-15 minutes depending on the condition and size of the area being treated. Acute conditions can initially be treated daily if required. Chronic conditions respond best when treatments are received 2-3 times per week.
How many treatments does it take? This varies with the each condition. Acute conditions may only require 1-6 treatments while more chronic or long standing issues may require 10-15 sessions. Conditions such as moderate to severe arthritis may require periodic ongoing care.
When will I notice a difference? You may feel results after your first treatment. Each treatment is cumulative and most patients feel results after 3-4 sessions.
How does it differ from UltraSound Therapy which you also provide? Ultrasound and Laser are fundamentally different however can be beneficial to similar injuries. Laser uses light therapy to stimulate the cells production of ATP and promote healing. Ultrasound uses sound therapy to bring blood and circulation to the area and is great for breaking up scar tissue. Only by assessing the injury by a qualified Physiotherapist can the determination be made that Ultrasound, Laser or both should be used in the overall treatment of your injury. For example Laser can be used on superficial wounds where Ultrasound cannot but Laser is not beneficial to scar tissue.
My injury is an old chronic one can Laser Therapy help? Yes Laser Therapy is effective on Chronic and Acute pain or injuries. Laser can be effectively used immediately after the injury happens or years down the road. Chronic pain can take longer and more treatments to heal so if you have an acute or new injury the sooner the treatment the better. Caught in time, laser can even prevent excessive scar tissue build up. No need to suffer longer than you have to as Laser has been proven to increase healing time by up to 60%.
Will Laser Therapy help avoid Surgery? Therapy Lasers have been scientifically proven and successful in treating pre and post-surgical pain and significantly reduce healing time. In some cases, combined with Physiotherapy it can reduce the need for surgery. Only your physiotherapist and doctor can say for sure depending on an assessment of your injury.
What are the Contraindications (not to be used)? Cold laser therapy should not be used over any suspicious cancerous lesions, or carcinoma, over the thyroid, on pregnant patients, and there should not be direct irradiation of the eyes, as the laser can cause permanent damage to the eyes. Pregnant women are recommended not to undergo the procedure, since its effects on unborn children are not yet known. The doctor and the patient should use protective eyeglasses so that there is no direct eye exposure.
