Laser Therapy In South Edmonton
Cold laser therapy is a form of therapy that promotes tissue healing. This form of therapy, also known as LLLT (low-level laser therapy), is a safe and effective way to recover from injuries. An advantage of using this technology to aid in recovery is it does not require any surgery or medication, is non-invasive, and has very few contraindications.
Conditions That We Treat Using Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is a versatile form of treatment that can be used for several conditions. Listed are some conditions that we use laser therapy to treat at Enhanced Health & Wellness in Edmonton:
- Overuse injuries
- Knee pain
- Shoulder pain
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- TMJ pain
How Does Laser Therapy Work
Cold laser (or therapeutic laser) exposes tissue to light energy of different wavelengths that affect the tissue on a cellular level. There are 3 primary pathways that are activated simultaneously where the laser light is converted into biochemical energy.
Lipid Absorption Pathway
- This pathway eliminates pain by removing the pain signal at the sodium potassium pump in nerve cells. When we experience pain, there is an exchange of sodium and potassium ions within the cell. This exchange of ions creates nerve signals that are interpreted as pain. The laser therapy will help rebalance the ion levels which can stop and remove the pain signals.
Nitric Oxide Pathway
- This pathway reduces inflammation by increasing the production of nitric oxide which increases vasodilation (the blood vessels get bigger) allowing more blood flow. The inner lining of blood vessels use nitric oxide to tell the muscle to relax which allows the vessel to expand and increase blood flow. More blood flow to the injured tissue brings more nutrients to the area which speed up the healing process and eliminates toxins, reducing inflammation
Adenosine Triphosphate Pathway
- This pathway accelerates healing by stimulating the mitochondria of the cell to produce more ATP, accelerating tissue repair. More ATP means more energy to the cell and area. This ATP energy is used to accelerate tissue repair in the affected area.
How Many Cold Laser Therapy Treatments Do I Need?
The amount of cold laser therapy treatments needed is dependent on the condition being treated and the size of the affected area. Laser therapy treatments have an accumulation effect and a typical treatment plan ranges from 6-12 treatments. As mentioned above, laser therapy promotes faster tissue healing in your body. Therefore, if an injury would normally take 4 weeks to heal with no treatment, consistent laser therapy treatment should help you recover sooner than that.
Cold laser treatment often has an even greater effect when combined with other forms of therapy such as Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Graston, Physiotherapy, Massage therapy, and home exercises. Although it isn’t necessary to have these other therapies performed in conjunction with laser treatment, we tend to see more efficient treatment outcomes.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
When you book an appointment with Dr. Kwan, he will review your history and perform a thorough examination to determine root cause of the problem. Depending on your injury, he will prepare the laser to the appropriate setting to efficiently begin your healing process. Dr. Kwan will also recommend any other therapies and/or home care that will help you recover from your injury faster. Furthermore, a treatment plan will be discussed with you regarding how many treatments it may take to resolve your issue.
So stop living with pain and start your journey to recovery today!
“Enhanced Health and Wellness has nice staff and convenient hours. The clinic is comfortably set up and clean. Dr. Justin Kwan is very knowledgeable and very skilled. His techniques are effective and up-to-date. He is caring, attentive, professional and super friendly! Dr. Kwan is a lifesaver!”
Mara H.
Healthcare Manager // Edmonton, AB
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do laser therapy results last?
Laser therapy results can last until the treated area is re-injured. The treatment helps speed up tissue recovery but cannot prevent future injuries from daily activities. Just as an open wound eventually heals, the same area can become injured again if it experiences another injury.
What are the benefits of laser treatment?
Laser treatment helps tissues heal faster by providing more energy to the cells. As healing progresses, pain and inflammation also decrease.
What are the side effects of laser treatment?
Laser therapy has very minimal side effects. Most patients do not feel anything during treatment, although some may experience a mild burning or aching sensation. If this occurs, the practitioner will simply reduce the treatment intensity.
