Soft laser treatment
The rehabilitation period after injuries and surgeries can be shortened by using soft laser!
It is also used in certain dermatological; ear, nose and throat conditions and in the treatment of dental and oral mucosal diseases.
What is a soft laser good for?
In terms of their biological effects, lasers can be divided into two groups in medicine: high-power “hard lasers” - or surgical lasers - and low-power “soft lasers“ - or medical lasers. The high-power lasers are used for various surgical procedures and operations due to their strong thermal effect. Soft lasers are a „gentler” version of the high-power laser, the belongs to the group of therapeutic “soft lasers” (medical devices). The photochemical action of laser light is used to trigger beneficial biological processes.
By biostimulation, the laser beam triggers and stimulates healing and regeneration: soft laser devices mostly emit light in the red, infrared wavelengths, reaching the mitochondria deep inside the cell, thus affecting cellular processes, resulting in the mitochondria producing more energy. Cell division becomes more active (“revitalising” the cell), the self-healing processes are triggered, stimulates cell regeneration, blood vessel formation, activates the immune system. Increases the production of endorphins (a painkiller produced by the body), so the pain is reduced. The absorption of the laser beam releases heat, warming the treated tissue. Blood circulation is accelerated, and the elimination of decomposition products and inflammatory toxins is initiated. It also improves lymphatic circulation, reducing swelling and tension in the soft tissues. For pain relief, joint treatment and inflammation reduction, we use the 800 - 900 nm wavelength (infrared) laser, which can penetrate up to 6-8 cm deep. This is the case with the Safe laser 500.
Tímea Szentpétery
Physiotherapist
In what areas and for what complaints is soft laser used?
The soft laser device is used alone and/or as a complementary therapy:
- Following injury/trauma: broken bones, muscle-tendon strain, muscle-tendon tear, haematoma, bruise.
- In various degenerative, wear and tear diseases: arthritis and cartilage wear and tear, rheumatic pain/inflammation and spinal pain/inflammation (lumbago).
- In overuse pathologies: in the case of tendinitis due to overuse at the origin or attachment of muscles. For example, in tennis elbow, tendon overuse at the attachment point of the extensor muscles of the forearm on the outside of the elbow, and slow-onset tendinitis.
- To reduce tendinitis, bursitis, myositis and muscle pain.
Contraindication / contraindication:
- It is forbidden to „irradiate” the abdomen in pregnant women because of the (potentially dangerous) increase in blood volume!
- The use of the device is also forbidden for people suffering from severe coagulation diseases!
- Soft lasers should not be used on: tumour areas, the thyroid gland (if it is overactive) and the breast area, fungal or infected skin areas and the region above the implanted pacemaker.
- The „irradiation” of painted moles is prohibited as it is considered a cancer-preventing condition.
- Without a precise medical diagnosis, do not „self-treat”, as soft laser may reduce pain, but it cannot always eliminate the cause and may (temporarily) mask symptoms and serious diseases!
Soft laser treatment method?
The soft laser device is placed in contact with the skin at the painful point and illuminates the area for the specified treatment time, then moves on to the next point. Mostly pressure sensitive points are treated.
What is the treatment time for a soft laser?
Soft lasers are those types of lasers which, due to their „low” power, do not cause visible changes in the irradiated tissue and the expected positive effect usually only occurs after multiple treatments and after a longer period of time. For some pathologies and diseases, different amounts of energy are used to increase the effectiveness. With longer treatment times we can ensure higher energy input (Joule). The duration of laser irradiation is usually 1 to 5 minutes, depending on the expected effect.
The frequency of treatment depends on how long the problem or illness has been present.
- Acute diseases (within 6 weeks) or postoperative (post-operative period) Cases: The treatment should be given daily /1-2 weeks, then 3 times/week until symptoms disappear.
- For chronic diseases (beyond 6-8 weeks): Longer-standing illnesses are treated less frequently. The laser device is used 3x/week until symptoms have resolved or significantly reduced. For long-standing (chronic) diseases, recovery may take longer (days, weeks, even months).
During/after the first treatments you may feel a slight warmth and tingling. In some (mainly chronic) cases, pain may increase a few hours after the treatment due to the body's response to the treatment, but this is only temporary.