Laser Therapy For Pain
Laser History And Why They Work
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) presented the first theory about laser that paved the way for other researchers and the development of other studies for laser. Laser stands for light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation. In 1960, the first laser was demonstrated. It was Theodore Maiman, a physicist who discovered a way to emit a short-lived, intense and powerful beam of red light. And in 1969, a Hungarian scientist named Endre Mester, presented publication of finding using residual or low intensity laser in medicine. He found that this beam has the effect of relieving pain, speeding up the healing process and producing less scar tissue.
The Science Behind Laser Therapy
Researchers conducted a study to expose tissue cultures to low level lasers. In theses s studies, the enzymes of the cells easily absorbed the energy that was emitted by the laser light. This absorption promotes the production of ATP or adenosine triphosphate. And since there is higher ATP, this promotes healthy cells.
Therapy lasers are coherent and monochromatic. They are narrow and bright beams that have the tendency to hold their intensity until the body is able to absorb them. Light travels at a specific speed and oscillates forward while moving up and down. Light is measured in wavelengths. This wavelength stands for the different colors of the spectrum. The movement of the light, up and down while moving forward, is the frequency of the wavelength. Longer waver have lesser frequency compared to shorter waves.
There have been more than 2,500 studies published about laser therapy, to date. Every study differs from the other but it is important to note that more than 90 percent of the studies report a positive result from the use of laser therapy.
How Does it Work?
Laser therapy aims to photo-biostimulate the cells. This therapy actually excites the cells. The laser device transmits photons. The skin then absorbs these photons. (This does not cause heat to damage the tissues.)
Once the photons reach the cells of the body, these beams can promote a cascade of cellular activities. It can ignite the production of enzymes, collagen substances, so that the cells will function well. Also, since there is a higher production cellular energy, this will help in speeding up the healing process while it eases the pain felt by the body. Since the laser helps in producing collagen, this prevents the formation of scar tissues. Scar tissues are less elastic but since collagen production increases, tissues will be produced with a more elastic characteristic.
This whole process works like the photosynthesis in plants. The plant absorbs the sunlight and this energy is used so that the plant will grow. The plant represents the body while the light from the sun represents the laser light. Once absorbed, it initiates very important cellular activities that speed up cell repair and cell production.
Like photosynthesis – the correct wavelengths and power of light at certain intensities for an appropriate period of time can increase ATP production and cell membrane perturbation (agitation). This leads to membrane permeability changes and second messenger activity resulting in functional changes such as increase synthesis, increased secretion and motility changes. Red and near infrared light seem to be the most ideal wavelengths. Infrared light works on the mitochondria (and other cell organelles) and at the cell membrane.
An appropriate dose of light can improve speed and quality of acute and chronic wound healing, soft tissue healing, pain relief, improving immune system function and nerve regeneration. Low-energy, non-ionizing, photon irradiation by light in the far-red and near-IR spectral range with low-energy (LLLT) lasers has been found to modulate various biological processes in cell culture. This phenomenon of photobiomodulation has been applied clinically in the treatment of soft tissue injuries and shown acceleration of wound healing. The mechanism of photobiomodulation by red to near-IR light at the cellular level has been ascribed to the activation of mitochondrial respiratory chain components, resulting in initiation of a signaling cascade that promotes cellular proliferation and cytoprotection.
Evidence suggests that cytochrome oxidase is a key photoacceptor of light in the far-red to near-IR spectral range. Cytochrome oxidase is an integral membrane protein that contains four redox active metal centers and has a strong absorbance in the far-red to near-IR spectral range increasing mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis in isolated mitochondria.
LASER THERAPY CAUSES:
- Chromophores to be stimulated by light in the mitochondria, cell membrane and other organelles of the cell
- Positive changes in pH
- Increased Mrna- DNA/RNA
- Suppression of PGE2
- Increased nerve conduction velocity
- Thermal fluid gradient pressures
- Angiogenesis
- Antibacterial activity
- Increased ATP production
- Increased NO release (Hemoglobin and Endothelial)
- Vasodilation
- Improved lymphatic drainage
- Reduction of spasm
- Immune augmentation
- Reduction of pain
BIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF CLASS IV LASER THERAPY
Accelerated Tissue Repair and Growth
Photons of light from lasers penetrate deeply into tissue and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. The laser light increases the energy available to the cell so that the cell can take on nutrients faster and get rid of waste products. As a result of exposure to laser light, the cells of tendons, ligament and muscles are repaired faster.
Faster Wound Healing
Laser light stimulates fibroblast development (fibroblasts are the building blocks of collagen, which is predominant in wound healing) in damaged tissue. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair tissue injuries. As a result, laser therapy is effective on open wounds, scars, and burns.
Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation
Laser Therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns, surgery, or other tissue damage. Scar tissue is a primary source of chronic pain.
Anti-Inflammation
Laser light has an anti-edemic effect as it causes vasodilation, but also because it activates the lymphatic drainage system (drains swollen areas). As a result, there is a reduction in swelling caused by bruising or inflammation.
Anti-Pain (Analgesic)
Laser therapy has a high beneficial effect on nerve cells which block pain transmitted by theses cells to the brain and which decreases nerve sensitivity. Also, due to less inflammation, there is less edema and less pain. Another pain blocking mechanism involves the production of high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins from the brain and adrenal gland.
Improved Vascular Activity
Laser light significantly increases the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue which speeds up the healing process, closes wounds quickly and reduces scar tissue. Additional benefits include acceleration of angiogenesis, which causes temporary vasodilation, an increase in the diameter of blood vessels. More blood flow equals faster healing and less pain.
Increased Metabolic Activity
Laser therapy creates higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells. The damaged cells can repair and regenerate faster.
Increased Nerve Function
Slow recovery of nerve functions in damaged tissue can result in numbness and impaired limbs. Laser light speeds up the process of nerve cell reconnection and increases the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action, reducing nerve pain.
Immunoregulation
Photons are absorbed by chromophores (molecule enzymes) that react to laser light. The enzyme is activated and starts the production of ATP, which is the major carrier of cell energy and the energy source for all chemical healing reactions in the cells. As a result, long lasting pain relief occurs.
Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points
Laser therapy stimulates muscle trigger points (knots) and acupuncture points on a non-invasive basis providing musculoskeletal pain relief.
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