Laser Therapy

Our priority at Great Northern Physiotherapy is helping you get back to full fitness and function as soon as possible and that is why we have invested heavily in the latest in rehabilitation technology to help us do that, in line with this ethos we are one of the few clinics in the region to offer class 4 high intensity laser therapy alongside our physiotherapy rehab. 

We use a specific type of high intensity laser therapy with a locked nano pulsed wavelength technology that leads to a safe, efficient, non-invasive and painless method of managing pain and inflammation. 

How Many Treatments Will I need?

This will vary significantly depending on your specific condition, however your practitioner will be able to provide you with a specific dose recommendation based on your assessment and the latest research. Generally, we work on an initial course of 3-6 sessions. Our laser treatment sessions are usually carried out alongside other physiotherapy modalities such as manual therapy and graded exercise therapy and your practitioner will guide you each week on progression of your rehab program. 

What Can I Expect? 

After a thorough initial assessment of your problem, your medications and past medical history we will be able to establish if laser therapy will be a safe and effective treatment approach for your diagnosis. Your clinician will discuss the risks and benefits of this procedure with you. 

Once the appropriate settings for your condition have been made the laser will be placed on or directed over the area of pain or injury. Your treatment will usually be anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes long depending on your injury and the treatment protocol required. Treatments with laser therapy are typically painless.  

How Quickly Will It Work?

The effectiveness of Laser in musculoskeletal injury of pain is well evidenced in scientific trials. Randomised controlled trials have shown the beneficial effects of using laser therapy on a number of musculoskeletal conditions including Osteoarthritis, Tendon problems, Frozen shoulder, Nerve pain, Muscle injury, Jaw pain and soft tissue healing. Though we often see positive results after 2-3 sessions, laser treatment is typically cumulative and you’re most likely to see results as you go through your course of treatment. It’s also really important that you stick to any other elements of your treatment plan such as exercise and activity modification to allow for the best results possible.

How Does it Work? 

Laser therapy is essentially using a specific wavelength of light to facilitate a healing process within the cells of injured tissue. In the same way that sunlight (UV wavelength) affects the cells in our skin tissue or helps a plant to photosynthesise, very specific wavelengths of light used in lasers supply light energy directly to your injured tissue cells which encourages your body’s own healing process and reduces pain.

Our high intensity laser delivers two very specific wavelengths, 808nm and 905nm, in a synchronised manner. Because the stronger 905nm wavelength is nanopulsed (this means it pulses on and off rapidly), any risk of thermal damage to your tissue is removed and the laser is completely safe to use. The 808nm wavelength targets tissue repair and regeneration and the 905nm wavelength has a pain relieving effect by targeting cells and nerve fibres involved in pain and inflammation. 

Laser therapy helps musculoskeletal tissue heal and repair in a number of different ways. Initially an expansion of the blood vessels in the area treated leads to an increase in oxygen, healing cells, and anti-inflammatory proteins as well as a ‘wash out’ effect. This clears waste products and pro-inflammatory molecules which can also help to reduce swelling. Laser therapy also reduces the speed of the transmissions of pain messages in the nerves which can have a significant and immediate effect on pain and muscle relaxation. In addition to these cellular effects, studies have also demonstrated significantly improved quality and speed of tissue healing.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Very occasionally a body will ‘over react’ to the laser treatment and you will experience a temporary increase in inflammation, usually lasting 24-48 hours. This is rare, however if it does happen, please don’t worry. It’s just the way your body has responded to the treatment which indicates that the treatment has caused cellular changes and a process is underway in your area of pain. You will most likely feel better after this rebound response than you did before. If this happens, please tell your clinician and they will reduce the settings on the machine for your next treatment.