The Science Behind How Low Level Lasers Work for Pain Relief

If you’re like a lot of chronic pain sufferers, you’ve probably got a list of remedies you’ve tried for pain relief. We’ve heard it all, everything from the invasive and often unnecessary surgeries to pain pills, to ingesting spider venom (we absolutely do not recommend that one!). While we pass no judgment on whichever options you’ve tried or not tried, we wanted to talk to you today about low level laser therapy for pain relief. You may or may not have heard about this one already. You may be wondering is there any real science behind it or is this just another gimmick? Let’s get into it.

What is Low Level Laser Therapy?

Low level laser therapy, sometimes referred to as cold laser therapy, is a type of light therapy that involves applying a laser, or a concentrated beam of light, directly to the body. The simplest explanation of how low level laser therapy works on the human body to provide pain relief is the comparison to photosynthesis in plants.

If this is the first time you’ve given photosynthesis a thought since your 7th grade science class, you’re not alone. As a quick refresher, plants absorb light from the sun (and carbon dioxide and water from the environment) and turn it into energy. That chemical change is what helps the plant grow from a seed into a flower or fruit.

The Science that Occurs in the Human Body During Low Laser Therapy

Similarly, our bodies absorb the light from low level laser and the chemical change that occurs within our cells’ mitochondria (back in 7th grade science here – you’ll remember the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell) signals cell production of fibroblasts (connective tissues), keratinocytes (skin), endothelial cells (blood) and lymphocytes (white blood – immune system). The energy used to signal this important cell production provides significantly more ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). ATP is necessary for cells to work and heal.

This biological process our body performs while undergoing low level laser therapy has helped patients heal more completely from injuries and to reduce their chronic pain more effectively. Lasers have been proven to do the following to help human biological tissue heal:

  • Promote muscles regeneration and reduce muscle atrophy. [01]
  • Promote joint and cartilage regeneration by increasing collagen and cartilage production. [02]
  • Promote nerve regeneration. [03]
  • Reduce inflammation and edema. [04]
  • Improve circulation. [05]

 

low laser therapy for pain relief in Scottsdale.

More Noteworthy Facts on Low Level Laser Therapy for Pain Treatment

Low level laser therapy is being used in many hospitals and burn centers to treat burn victims. The laser therapy can accelerate healing of scars and reduce overall tissue damage. Likewise, professional and college sports trainers across the country have sought the benefits of low level lasers for their athletes in treating common sports injuries like tendonitis, bursitis, sprains, and strains.

Although laser technology for pain relief and healing feels fairly new, in reality, the medical and scientific community has been using lasers for more than 40 years for this purpose. When used appropriately, lasers have been helping with accelerated healing and pain relief for decades. Thousands of studies have been published, noting little to no side effects. Lasers are safe and effective.

Chronic Pain and Injuries that We’ve Successfully Treated with Low Level Laser Therapy

Here at LaserTech Pain and Back Relief Center in Scottsdale, AZ, we’ve been successfully treating patients using our laser technology since 2006. Most of our patients come to us looking for pain relief after having been prescribed addictive pain killers or being told that they need invasive surgeries or injections. We understand how frustrating it can be to have a doctor tell you the only solution is to take more pills, perpetually receive painful injections, or to have a surgery that may or may not work. That’s why we offer low level laser therapy, among other technologies, for the following conditions:

 
back pain relief scottsdale
 

On top of all the science behind low level laser therapy technology, our very own Dr. Craig Zimmerman wrote a book, packed full of evidence-based results and his 30+ years’ experience of treating chronic pain. You can pick up Unlocking the Chronic Pain Code here.

 

References


1) Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) on muscle tissue: performance, fatigue and repair benefited by the power of light - [National Library of Medicine]

 

2) Is low-level laser therapy effective for patients with knee joint osteoarthritis? implications and strategies to promote laser therapy usage – [National Library of Medicine]

3) Effect of deep tissue laser therapy treatment on peripheral neuropathy pain in older adults…- [BMC Geriatrics] 

4) Use of low level laser therapy in lymphatic drainage for edema – [Wiley Online Library]

5) Effect of low-level laser therapy on blood flow and oxygen- hemoglobin saturation of the foot skin in healthy subjects: a pilot study – [National Library of Medicine] 

About the Author

Dr. Zimmerman has been treating pain for more than 30 years. He spent six successful years in St. Louis working with injured patients who had chronic pain that did not respond to traditional treatments. He developed a positive reputation for taking difficult cases that most other clinics couldn’t solve. For 16 years, he ran one of the most successful practices in Arizona and ultimately became the Chief of Staff of a large health care company with a focus on acute injury care. Read more about Dr. Zimmerman here.

Dr. Zimmerman D.C.

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