Laser has been used successfully in physical medicine and rehabilitation for more than 30 years in various parts of the world and has begun to increase in popularity in the usa since the FDA has cleared its use for several medical indications. Laser treatment involves introducing the power of light into damaged or injured tissues to promote healing through the stimulation of ATP production and lymphocyte activity among other physiological responses.
In the United States, the FDA has thoroughly evaluated and subsequently cleared a variety of laser devices for the treatment of neck and shoulder pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. The FDA in addition has cleared infrared light, which is light energy with wavelengths longer than visible light, to accomplish the following:
increase local blood circulation
alleviate minor muscle or joint aches, pain, and/or stiffness
relaxation of muscles
relieve muscle spasms
sooth the pain and stiffness of connected with arthritis
Though laser therapy has been used safely and effectively throughout the world in animal research because the 1960's and safely with humans since the 1970's, there are precautions pertaining to the use of laser and specific instances where laser shouldn't be used.
Only authorized and trained doctors should use laser for medical treatment. Since the beam of an infrared laser cannot be detected by the human eye, protective eye wear that's created for the wavelength being used should be worn to avoid accidental exposure. Infrared light will not usually cause the eye to blink for protect itself. Another precaution relates to the utilization of laser over growth plates in the bones. Though very few, if any, studies have figured the utilization of laser has any negative influence on growth plates, it really is probably wise to avoid using a laser directly over them. Highly reflective jewelry should be removed from the area being treated, and treatment shouldn't be done over or near reflective surfaces. Laser should only be employed to the region to be treated and really should not be used over areas where sensation has been compromised, as the patient is probably not able sense discomfort if the laser is too intense.
Learn more be used to irradiate the eyes, over cancerous tumors, within 4 to 6 six months of radiation therapy, over hemorrhage, over or near the thyroid or endocrine glands, over a fetus or uterus during pregnancy, in cases where the patient has sensitivity to light, if the patient is using medication that's photosensitive, or with patients which have vascular disease.
Laser use has been proven effective for the treating numerous conditions, and may end up being effective in the treating others as the usage of laser increases. However, when laser can be used caution should be exercised and attention ought to be paid to the conditions under which laser could be harmful to avoid unwanted effects.