How Many Laser Sessions Should You Get?
Deep tissue laser therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) uses different wavelengths of light to precisely target problem areas on the body. The light causes cells treated with the laser to progress through the healing process and decrease inflammation through a scientifically proven process.
At Impact Laser Therapy and Wellness, we use this process to treat both acute and chronic pain. It can be beneficial for everything from fibromyalgia to carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ to a sprained ankle.
As our clients try to learn more about this innovative approach to healing and pain relief, they often ask how many treatments will be needed and how often they should be applied. There is no perfect answer to this question. The number of treatments required depends greatly upon the problem, its severity, and its chronicity (how long has this problem been bothering you). The versatility of laser therapy to adapt to multiple problems of varying degrees of severity and chronicity is one of its most impressive qualities. This post will provide some general information about the various uses of photobiomodulation and how it may benefit those with pain.
Class IV Laser Therapy at Impact Laser Therapy and Wellness
How Does Laser Therapy Help Reduce Pain and Promote Healing?
Researchers have been exploring the effects of laser therapy for decades. A multitude of studies show the benefits of laser therapy for acute and chronic pain. If you would like to research this for yourself, I encourage you to search ‘photobiomodulation’ in your search engine.
A 2022 clinical trial shows that laser therapy can help alleviate pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. It concluded that laser therapy could be used as another noninvasive treatment option for those who are at high risk of surgery due to multiple comorbidities or older people who aren’t good candidates for surgery or other procedures.
A 2016 clinical trial shows that photobiomodulation stimulates the cell membrane and mitochondria (often referred to as the power source of the cell). The treatment improves cell function, stimulates circulation, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing. Concurrently, the laser is able to increase the production of endorphins, which provides an analgesic (pain relieving) effect, helping patients manage their pain.
What Conditions Benefit from Deep Tissue Laser Therapy?
Class IV Deep Tissue Laser Therapy can benefit a multitude of acute and chronic conditions. Here are a few conditions where laser treatment is common.
Injuries from Sports and Activities
Athletes ranging from collegiate small-town heroes to daily runners, weekend pickle ball players, and the occasional golfer unfortunately all often fall victim to acute and/or overuse injury from time to time. Muscle strain, tendinopathy, deep muscle and/or bone bruising are all common injuries for such athletes. Deep tissue laser therapy increases blood flow (think oxygen and nutrients) and decreases discomfort all while getting the body through the stages of healing faster. With improved mobility and faster recovery, the athletes of Amarillo, TX and the surrounding area can get back to what they love to do!
Repetitive Use Injuries (Overuse Injuries)
Some injuries result from repetitive movements. In our clinic, we have seen repetitive movement injuries from chef’s, golfers, racquetball players, housecleaners, golf and tennis players, even rodeo athletes (especially ropers). Repetitive movements strain muscles repeatedly which leads to injury.
Laser therapy for chronic, repetitive overuse injuries can reach deep into the tissue to treat the underlying causes of the injury. By reducing inflammation and stimulating healing, the process of promoting the regeneration of damaged tissue can begin.
Back Pain
When the part of the spine that houses the spinal cord is reduced in size, it puts pressure on nerves which can lead to numbness, chronic low back pain, and muscle weakness that worsens over time. When one of the disks of the spin slips out of place, it can put pressure on the nerves leaving the spinal column and traveling down the glute and leg. This can lead to low back pain that shoots down one leg.
Deep tissue laser therapy, or photobiomodulation, can be used to decrease pain in the back and neck due to spinal stenosis and problems associated with a herniated disk. This can result in better lives for those suffering with these conditions. Treatment can reduce inflammation, decrease pain, and encourage healing by increasing circulation and creating cellular energy.
How Many Laser Therapy Treatments Should You Get?
At IMPACT Laser Therapy and Wellness, we encourage our patrons to get treatments two to three times a week depending on how aggressively they want to treat the problem.
The number of treatments required will depend on several factors. Those who have been in pain for three months or less (acute) may benefit from as little as three to six sessions. Those who have been in pain or six to twelve months plus (chronic) may feel relief after six to twelve sessions. Clients who suffer from sever, degenerative conditions such as arthritis may get treatments two to three times a week for as long as they are benefiting from the treatment.
Our sessions are usually short, ranging from as few as ten minutes up to twenty-five minutes depending on what part of the body we are working on and the size of the injury. Additional body parts require more time.
Class IV deep tissue laser therapy is a pain-free approach to reducing discomfort while aiding the body in the healing process.
If you are experiencing pain, either acute or chronic, consult with your doctor about the idea of incorporating class IV deep tissue laser therapy to help manage it and get you back on your feet!
For questions or to schedule a free trial, please give us a call at IMPACT Laser Therapy and Wellness at (806) 646-6437. Or visit us at our website ImpactAmarillo.com.