The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics is redefining the way musculoskeletal care is delivered across the region with locations throughout Maryland, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Laser therapy is a medical treatment that uses focused light to stimulate a process called photobiomodulation (PBM). During PBM, photons enter the tissue and trigger a biological cascade of events that leads to an increase in cellular metabolism, which can decrease pain and inflammation and accelerate the healing process. This lasting pain relief treatment has been cleared by the FDA since 2003 and offers a safe alternative to medicine and surgery. Laser therapy is endorsed by the World Health Organization, the American Physical Therapy Association and the International Association for the Study of Pain®.
As physical therapists, our goal is to reduce inflammation as quickly as possible so that the body’s natural healing process can begin. This allows us to begin restoring range of motion and normal function of the body. Laser therapy accomplishes this goal by quickly working to reduce pain and inflammation through the activation of a chemical in the body called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide dilates blood vessels in the body which improves circulation in the damaged tissue, delivering oxygen, vital sugars, proteins, and salts while removing wastes.
Experience Pain Relief and Reduced Inflammation associated with:
Laser therapy treatments must be administered directly to skin, as clothing or topical dressings interfere with delivering light to tissues beneath the skin. The application is painless. Patients will feel a soothing warmth as the therapy is administered. Many patients receiving LightForce Therapy Laser treatments report enjoying the experience, especially when the massage ball treatment head is used to deliver what is often referred to as a “laser massage.” Patients receiving treatments with higher-power lasers also frequently report a rapid decrease in pain. For someone suffering from chronic pain, this effect can be particularly pronounced.
With LightForce lasers, treatments are quick, usually 4-8 minutes, depending on the size, depth, and chronicity of the condition being treated. High-power lasers are able to deliver a lot of energy in a small amount of time, allowing therapeutic dosages to be achieved quickly.
Patients generally see results after 3 to 6 treatments in conjunction with a regular physical therapy regimen. Clinicians will develop specific plans of care based on the diagnosis and the tissues that are involved. Chronic conditions often require more therapy than acute.