Laser therapy uses light of a specific wavelength to deliver energy into tissues.

The light is absorbed by the mitochondria, which, in response, release ATP (it stimulates the powerhouse of the cell to release energy), helping to remove excess swelling and harmful waste products from injured and inflamed tissue.

This speeds up healing in damaged tissue.

Low-level laser technology safely penetrates 2 to 3 inches into the skin to effectively stimulate regeneration of damaged cells and tissues, which brings about more rapid healing and reduces pain.

Patients typically receive a series of treatments for conditions, including back and neck pain; sprains and strains; muscular pain; bursitis, tennis elbow, tendonitis and plantar fasciitis; headaches and facial pain; joint problems; inflammation; and post-surgical pain relief.

It can create a feeling of warmth in the tissue, but often there is not much sensation involved. Indications for laser therapy, from research over the last 5 years, show that it can be helpful, especially when combined with more active physical therapy treatments, in many conditions, including those listed below.

• General musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction
• Osteoarthritis in certain locations including the knee
• Neck pain
• Chronic musculoskeletal pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Certain types of low back pain
• Tennis Elbow and other tendinopathy
• Nerve injury and neuropathy
• Reducing pain in athletes
• Muscle endurance performance

It should be noted that evidence ranges in quality and that there is, at times, conflicting evidence, as exists with most treatments in medicine. The physical therapy experts at PWPT determine the usefulness of laser and other therapies on an individual basis and take the entire picture into account.