Low Level Laser Therapy

With FDA approval and more than 30 years of research, low level laser therapy (LLT) may soon become a frontline treatment option for doctors who are looking to not only relieve patient’s pain but also accelerate injury healing. Laser therapy has been used world wide to treat well over 100 different conditions! Some of the conditions that respond the best to LLT are sprains/strains, carpal tunnel syndrome, swelling and inflammation in joints, wounds and burns, muscle spasms, low back and neck pain and various knee and elbow pains!

Dr. Anton Mester, a Hungarian physician first noticed the tissue healing effects of low level laser irradiation while trying to use a laser to treat cancer tumors back in 1967 so this is really the 30 year anniversary of this therapy! Since that time, low level laser therapy has been researched around the world with more than 2500 published articles concerning its effects.

LLT is a very safe form of therapy and can be used when other forms of electrical therapies are contraindicated such as when metal implants, prosthesis or screws are involved and it can be used safely on patients of all ages. The only contraindications for use are on cancerous tumors (although this is debated) and it should not be used on the thyroid for hyperthyroid conditions as it further increases the thyroid’s function.

That’s basically what the LLT does. It increases cellular function by stimulating the photo receptors that are on cell walls. That’s why it accelerates healing. Because of this, one of the outstanding areas that they are able to use the laser (besides it's amazing effects on neuromuscular problems) is in burn healing. Since nothing comes in contact with the skin, the incidence of infection is extremely low while at the same time the recovery time is reduced! It’s hard to beat a deal like that!

In our own practice, we have seen some remarkable results with the laser in both pain reduction and accelerated healing of tissues ranging from sprained ligaments, strained muscles, and bruises, all the way up to and including herniated and sequestrated discs. As we specialize in herniated disc treatment, we have used LLT extensively in this area and seen dramatic results!

Dr. David "Doc" Weeter Shining the Light on good health! http://www.docweeter.com