Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) therapy is a technique that involves the use of strong light beams for tissue removal. The laser light emits a detailed level of wavelength concentrated on the area that needs to be treated. The beam can be controlled to be less or more depending on the treatment it is being used for.
When used for surgery, laser therapy allows the patient to experience less pain. Since the light is focused on the affected area alone, it reduces scarring or swelling of nearby tissues during the procedure. Aside from its high cost, it is very effective, and the recovery time is usually faster than that of conventional surgical methods.
Before undergoing laser therapy, it is best to seek medical advice from your physician. You would be informed whether you are eligible for the treatment. There are various factors to consider, which include your age, overall health status, financial status (the cost of laser therapy is high), and healthcare plan.
This article will give you all the information about laser therapy and how we can help you at Cambie Physiotherapy, Surrey, BC.
Uses of Laser Therapy
How can we help you with laser therapy for physiotherapy in Surrey?
Back Pain
Back pain causes discomfort and restricts a person’s movement. Laser therapy in Surrey is one of the various ways to help people with back pain, specifically The LLLT (Low-Level Laser Therapy). It improves back pain by reducing inflammation, stimulating healing and regrowth of damaged tissue, promoting collagen production, improving blood flow, and stimulating endorphin release.
The healing mechanism for soft tissue and sports-related injuries is similar to back pain. Low-Level Laser Therapy sends messages to the cell’s powerhouse (mitochondria), which supplies energy to all cell components, including DNA. All cell activities work better with more power and more information from DNA. Hence, damaged soft tissue- tendons, cartilages, and ligaments heal and regenerate. This mechanism is vital for muscle, tendon, or ligament sprain or strain and arthritic conditions like osteoarthritis.
Eye Surgery
Laser therapy can be used for eye surgeries since they focus on treating small areas precisely. It is used for correcting distorted vision and improving a person’s vision capacity. Also, eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and damaged retina can be treated with laser therapy. The laser therapy used for eye surgeries is called LASIK, which means laser paired with situ keratomileusis.
Cosmetic Surgeries
Laser therapy is an important treatment method in the aspect of cosmetic care. One of the popular treatments in cosmetic care is skin care. People who suffer from some skin issues could be advised by their physicians to visit a professional cosmetic expert. YAG laser therapy might be recommended for people with skin issues like wrinkles, warts, stretch marks, and even hair removal. For women who have excess hair growth on the faces and some parts of the body that make them feel uncomfortable, laser therapy can be used to kill the cells that are responsible for hair growth in those areas. In some people, two or few appointments might be needed to get great results while others might get better results after their first appointment.
Cancers
Laser therapy can be used for some types of cancer surgeries and treatment to kill off cancer cells in an affected area. It is a faster and more precise way of preventing cancerous lesions from spreading to other parts of the body. Parts of the body where laser therapy can be used to remove cancerous cells are the vulva, cervix and skin.
Types of Lasers
Laser types differ according to use.
Argon lasers are used for cancer treatment and can be paired with chemotherapy to eliminate more cancer cells.
The CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser is used for skin cancers and to make slight cuts like argon lasers. It is also used for treating skin warts, scars, wrinkles, and other skin issues.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is used for minor surgeries. The wavelengths of the light are usually between 600 – 980 nanometers. LLLT, also known as cold therapy, is used to improve tissue regeneration.
YAG laser is the latest in the medical system. This type of laser therapy is precisely for hair removal. However, it can resurface the skin, correct skin color, and even remove tattoos.
What to Expect During Laser Therapy in Surrey?
You are in Surrey and you’re considering laser therapy, the first thing you need to do is speak to your physician about your eligibility for the procedure. Once you have been cleared, you would need to see a professional and make an appointment.
After your appointment has been finalized, based on the kind of treatment you are having, your physiotherapist or surgeon would educate you on the procedure, recovery time and possible risks associated with it. Although the laser therapy risks are minimal some patients might experience scarring, bleeding or even pain after the procedure.
Depending on the type of laser treatment, your physiotherapist or surgeon might request that you stay away from drinks and food for some hours before the treatment. Also, if the procedure requires the use of anesthetics, you would be advised not to drive yourself home after the procedure. Since laser therapy does not require extensive procedures, the side effects are minimal and recovery time is faster with less pain.