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Writer's pictureDr. Katie Barr

Healing at the Speed of Light: An introduction to Laser Therapy

Updated: Aug 14

Laser therapy has been around since Endre Mester published the first paper the stimulatory effects of laser light on the skin of rats in 1968. The two findings of that study were laser did not cause cancer in the irradiated mice, and the hair of the treated group grow back faster than the hair of the untreated group.


The key effects of laser therapy that lead to tissue healing are:

  1. Tissue Repair

  2. Nerve Regeneration

  3. Decreased Inflammation

  4. Pain Reduction


The laser helps to stimulate healing through three cellular pathways: the Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) pathway, the Nitric Oxide (NO) pathway, and the Lipid Absorption pathway. ATP is the energy-carrying molecule, and it is found in the mitochondria of all cells. ATP uses the chemical energy that is obtained from the breakdown of food and releases it to fuel cellular processes. The ATP pathway increases the production of ATP, and now the cells now have more energy to use for tissue repair.


Light energy -> Chemical energy -> ATP -> TISSUE HEALING


The endothelium of blood vessels uses Nitric Oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, thus resulting in vasodilation and increased blood flow. The NO pathway increases production of Nitric Oxide, thus increases vasodilation and decreasing inflammation. NO also dilates lymphatic vessels which drains the interstitial fluid from tissues into the blood, thus decreases swelling. The dilatory effects of NO helps to deliver nutrient-rich blood and oxygen, remove toxins and waste products that are created by the inflammatory process, and helps speed up the healing process.


The Lipid Absorption Pathway works by rebalancing the sodium potassium pump which removes the pain signal. The nociceptors are sensory receptors that are responsible for the detection and transmission of pain. These receptors transmit information via an action potential, i.e. the neuron is “firing”.


Painful stimulus -> Nociceptors -> Action potential -> Pain signal goes to spinal cord & brain           


Pain is the result of Na+ IN  &  K+ OUT. Laser light increases the porosity of the cell membrane, and rebalances the Na+-K+ Pump, thus stopping the propagation of the impulse across the cell and stopping the transmission of the pain signal.

 

Laser therapy aids with nerve regeneration by stimulating Schwann cell production, increasing the rate of axonal myelination, increasing the number of axons, improving nerve fibre quality, and reducing scar tissue formation around the nerve. Thus, it is a very useful treatment for any neuropathy e.g. peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, sciatica, hernia.


There are over 100 conditions that can be treated with Laser Therapy

Acute Injuries/Trauma: muscle strains/ligament sprains, tendon tears, fractures

Neuro-Musculoskeletal: carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tears, TMJ disorders, plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia

Inflammatory Conditions: tendinitis, bursitis, epicondylitis

Degenerative Conditions: osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease

Autoimmune Diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis


We are very happy to be offering this therapy to our patients in the next few weeks. We’ll have laser therapy appointments available online for you too book. You must have had an initial appointment to receive this treatment. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you have regarding whether laser therapy would be the right treatment for you.



References

  1. E. Mester, B. Szende, & P. Gartner. (1968). The effect of laser beams on the growth of hair in mice. Radiobiol Radiother, 9(5), 621-626.

  2. Hamblin, M. R. (n.d.). Mechanisms of Low Level Light Therapy. Retrieved February 2016 from http://photobiology.info/Hamblin.html.

  3. Mandel A., Dumoulin-White, R., & Lilge, L. (2011). Theralase white paper: Understanding the mechanisms of low level laser therapy (LLLT).

4.     Fung et al. Therapeutic low energy laser improves the mechanical strength of repairing medial collateral ligament. Laser Surg Med. 2002;31(2):91-96.

5.     Bélanger, A. (2015). Therapeutic electrophysical agents: Evidence behind practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

6.     Fung, D. T., Ng, G. Y., Leung, M. C., & Tay, D. K. (2002). Therapeutic low energy laser improves the mechanical strength of repairing medial collateral ligament. Lasers Surg. Med. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 31(2), 91-96.

7.     Hashmi, J. T. et al. (2010). Role of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Neurorehabilitation. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2(12 Suppl 2), S292-S305.

8.     Vailas, A. C. et al. (1978). Physical activity and hypophysectomy on the aerobic capacity of ligaments and tendons. Journal of Applied Physiology, 44(4), 542-546.


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