In the spring of 2008, Dr. Patterson introduced low level laser therapy to the practice. The results have been excellent thus far as an adjunct therapy for many problems or as a stand alone service. Patients have reported feeling increased range of motion, reduced muscle tension and have noted a lasting decrease in pain both acute and chronic. Patients with arthritic conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis have seen significant benefit with the incorporation of laser therapy with their treatment plan.
The cold laser is an excellent therapy for the following disease processes: pain management (including those patients who have had back or neck surgery), wound healing (especially after any kind of surgery), sinusitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia symptoms, nerve problems, and more.
The laser beam used is not like the dangerous high-power lasers that can cut through metal. The lasers used by our office do not heat and destroy tissue; they are low-energy lasers that provide enough energy to affected cells to give them the ability to repair themselves, but not so much energy that they're destroyed. Hot lasers might output as much as 1 million watts or more, while the cold, low-level lasers used in our treatments have an output of 10 milliwatts. That's one hundredth of one watt, which is 100 million times weaker than hot lasers.
Low-level laser therapy has been shown to be effective in treating acute and chronic pain, and repetitive stress disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, inflammation, strains and sprains, and promoting cell regeneration. How Does Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Benefit Users? * Relieves acute and chronic pain * Increases the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair * Increases blood supply * Stimulates the immune system * Stimulates nerve function * Develops collagen and muscle tissue * Helps generate new and healthy cells and tissue * Promotes faster wound healing and clot formation * Reduces inflammation