What is Low-Level Laser Therapy(LLLT)
Low Laser Therapy(LLLT)
In 1964, the low-intensity laser irradiation mechanism was studied. Scientists have been involved in practical fields of oncology, surgery, dermatology and dentistry, and since 1974 low level laser therapy (LLLT) is Included in the standard of state medical care.
LLLT is also called cold laser therapy, low-power laser therapy (LPLT), low-intensity laser, low-energy laser therapy, and photobiomodulation light therapy. This is a treatment that uses particular light wavelengths in order to interact with tissue. It is to use a red-beam or near-infrared laser with a wavelength between 600 and 1000 nanometers and power from 5 to 500 milliwatts. Depending on wavelength, tissues absorb energy to produce heat.
How dose Low-Lever Laser Therapy Work?
LLLT is applied to the surface skin of the body with the intentions of decreasing pain or stimulates and enhances cell function or inflammation, promoting healing of wounds, tissues, and nerves, or for preventing tissue damage. Once the light energy reaches the target area after passing through the layers of the skin, it is absorbed and interacts with the light-sensitive elements in the cell so as to reduce pain, increase intracellular metabolism and reduce edema, inflammation and overall healing time, while normalizing injured or damaged tissue. LLLT lasers transfer small or very small amounts of energy into the skin.
When applied to a so-called "acupoint", the process may be referred to as "laser acupuncture."
LLLT can stimulate a variety of cell types, such as nerves, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, etc. Therefore, patients can be treated with low-level laser therapy under various conditions. Some specific issues that can be treated with low level-laser therapy include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Arthritis Pain, Neck Pain, Back Pain, Knee Pain, Tendonitis and Fibromyalgia Pain.
The Benefit of Laser Therapy
People of all ages can benefit from Low-Level Laser Therapy. The treatment is effective for both new (acute) injuries and long-term (chronic) conditions. LLLT accelerates the body's natural healing process through photo-bio-modulation and it has no undesirable side effects. It is only an easy, comfortable, non-invasive treatment and that means it does not require a surgical incision but also an alternative to surgery. This treatment does not involve taking any medications, and many patients prefer to avoid taking medications.
It can improve and promote healing and tissue repair. It can relieve pain and spasm, increase joint flexibility and range of motion, reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, improves peripheral microcirculation, detoxifies and eliminate trigger points and inflammation reduction. The patients who use laser therapy have a faster recovery time because this treatment increased circulation of blood in order to improve vascular activity so as to accelerate cell reproduction and growth. It can also immune stimulation, stimulate nerve regeneration, increase metabolic activity and faster recovery from nerve injury to reduce pain in post-herpetic neuralgia.
What is Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy, or Radial shockwaves therapy. Shockwaves are pulses generated by compressed air which converts into acoustic energy. The acoustic pulses are then transmitted via a dispersive wave into the tissue of the affected area. It is a noninvasive method that uses pressure waves to treat various musculoskeletal conditions. High-energy shock waves deliver a mechanical force to the body’s tissues. Shockwaves are characterized by jump change in pressure, high amplitude, and non-periodicity.
How dose Shockwave Work?
There are basically four different ways of generating a “shock wave” which is simply: spark discharge; piezoelectric; electromagnetic and pneumatic (or electro-hydraulic). The energy content of the generated waves will vary and there will be different penetration characteristics in human tissue. In treatment, the most common method of generation is based on pneumatic systems, the key reason being the creation of radial (dispersed) waves. Focused waves are critical for “surgical” interventions, but because of their destructiveness, they are less suitable for therapeutic use. Focused waves are sometimes referred to as "hard" shock waves, and radial or dispersive waves are referred to as “soft” shock waves.
The Difference of Laser Therapy and Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave can mainly treat these conditions such as kidney stones, degenerated tendons (Achilles tendonitis), heel pain (plantar fasciitis) and tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). LLLT can stimulate a variety of cell types, such as nerves, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, etc. Therefore, in addition to treating diseases that are treated with shockwave, LLLT can also treat such as peripheral neuropathy, Alzheimer's disease, Bone regeneration/bone healing, Burning mouth syndrome, Cardio-protection following myocardial infarction, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Colorectal cancer, Dementia Dental pain, Dentin hypersensitivity, Depression, Traumatic brain injury, Stroke, Traumatic brain injury, Head and neck cancer and Neurological dysfunctions etc. LLLT treatments can be customized for each situation. Lasers have larger power ranges offer many treatment options. A laser that can be set to operate from 0.5 W all the way up to 25 W, allows the clinician flexibility to treat low and slow or at maximum output. The availability of multiple treatment heads offers additional flexibility for the clinician.
The Effect and Application
Although shockwave and laser therapy results on the similar effect in long-term for the relief of pain and eliminating symptoms in patients with myofascial, the laser provides faster optimal results. Since 1967 there have been over 2,500 clinical studies published worldwide. Many of these studies are double-blinded, placebo-controlled and have demonstrated cold laser therapy to be the easiest and effective method for pain relief and since 1974 low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is Included in the standard of state medical care. LLLT is easily applied, no need the technical training and without undesirable side-work. While the number of treatments required may vary depending on the acuity of the condition, many patients experience lasting relief after only a couple of treatments. LLLT can create little to no sensation or it can create a gentle, smooth warmth. On the contrary, shockwaves are characterized by non-periodicity. What more, high-energy waves may cause pain and require a local or regional anesthetic. That means you cannot do by yourself but need some guidance from a doctor and it may produce some side-works
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