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HOW DOES LASER WORK?

LASER SCIENCE

We’ll keep this simple.  If you want more in depth information, we will be happy to point you towards more academic sources of information.

Here’s our plain-language explanation of laser and how it works:

LASER = Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

Lasers produce light in the infrared part of the light spectrum.  You can see some of the wavelengths (600nm looks red) but larger wavelengths (typically 800nm, 905nm, 970nm and over 1000nm) are invisible.

electromagnetic spectrum

This light penetrates into the tissue and produces several effects.  Depending on the wavelength, laser will stimulate different tissues and biological materials, and will produce different effects.  

laser physio graph

To boil it down to basics: the different wavelengths produced by our Lasers:

Increase blood flow by increasing the internal diameter of the blood vessels supplying blood to the area (vasodilation)

Increase oxygen delivery to the treated tissues (by increased blood flow and by release of oxygen molecules from the haemoglobin at a greater rate than normal)

Increases the energy produced within the cell – effectively providing better fuelling of the cell (by ‘pumping’ oxygen into the mitochondria and driving the production of ATP, the essential fuel of every cell)

Aids in repairing damaged tissue by increasing the rate of production of proteins from the cell (fibroblasts in particular produce collagen at a faster rate)

Improves immune function – laser light stimulates immunoglobulins and lymphocytes, both of which are essential components of your immune system

Reduces swelling by opening the lymphatic vessels, allowing the accumulated fluid to drain away, back into the circulatory system (having been filtered through your lymph nodes) – this effect alone has a substantial effect on pain levels

Reduces pain by also causing surrounding tissues to release natural hormones that promote blood vessel formation and release natural painkillers (by producing VEGF, by reducing bradykinins that sensitize tissues, and by releasing endorphins [body’s natural pain reliever] and enkephalins [related to endorphins])

This video explains how laser affects the body on a cellular level and summarizes how these changes assist the healing process.

  • Is Laser “Anti-inflammatory”?
  • What will happen at your first appointment?

Is Laser “Anti-inflammatory”?

Laser if often described as having an anti-inflammatory effect.

There is no doubt that Laser treatments reduce the pain associated with inflammation, be that as a result of an acute injury or as a result of a chronic condition like arthritis. The evidence for laser helping in these situations is strong: laser definitely reduces the pain associated with inflammatory conditions and the biological processes that result in reduced pain are well documented.

So, is laser “anti-inflammatory”?

Kind of Yes and No!

Normally when we are talking anti-inflammatory treatment, we are talking about drugs treatment – usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or diclofenac. These drugs interfere with the natural process of inflammation and result in reduced pain. They are effective in achieving what they are generally supposed to do: reduce pain. However, they don’t actually help you heal any faster, and in fact may even slow healing down. (Of course, if they reduce pain such that you can move more freely there is likely to be a big benefit) from this movement, so they’re not all bad.

The benefit of laser treatment is that is actually optimises the inflammatory process, contributing to the normal process of healing – and it does it at a faster rate – but at the same time laser treatment helps deal with the unpleasant side of inflammation: it reduces swelling by increasing lymphatic flow away from damaged tissues, reduces the effect of bradykinins (which make the area more sensitive and promotes the release of natural painkillers like endorphins and enkephalins).

Your First Laser Appointment

Generally, you will have already completed our on-line screening form, to check that laser treatment is safe for you to receive.  But will double check everything with you.

We will take a history off you: what happened, when did it happen, what have you tried so far, and so on.  This all helps us understand where you are in the natural history of your injury.

We assess you to find out how well you can move, where your limitations are, where and when it hurts.  We will be wanting to demonstrate improvements as your treatment progresses.  

We also look at your body type – are you thin or muscular or have a little more padding – and what skin type you are.  These observations will help us program our laser units to suit your personal composition.  We need to take care with fair skin types as the risk of a stronger reaction can be increased.  Children also need a more diffuse or weaker dose.

Historical milestones:

1917 –

Albert Einstein describes theory of stimulated emission

1940s and early 1950s –

Charles Townes and Arthur Schawlow, working in the area of spectroscopy, produced working “maser” (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)

1957 / 1958 –

patents sought and granted, working lasers produced

1961 –

 first lasers used by opthamologists

1962 –

semi-conductor laser invented

1964 –

powerful CO2 laser invented (for cutting, drilling and welding)

1964 –

Nobel Prize for Physics awarded to Charles Townes

1966 –

dye laser invented

1972 –

lasers used on CDs and CD-ROMs

1980s –

mass production expands laser use – laser diodes and fibre optics allows fast data transmission and brings the internet closer

1981 –

Nobel Prize  for Physics awarded to Arthur Schawlow

1988 –

laser diodes become smaller than the wavelengths they emit

1990s onwards –

– nanolasers used in medicine, data processing and optical signal transmission

– Thermotherapy on varicose veins, detached retinas

– Laser surgery

– Tattoo removal

– Dermatological applications

– Dental applications

– Musculoskeletal treatments

– Guidance systems for digging tunnels and defence applications

– Checkout scanners

– Laser pointers

– Accurate distance measures

– Mass spectrometry

Recent decades –

a field largely developed by engineers (rapidly and effectively, including in medical applications) has been scrutinised by medical researchers seeking ideal dosages and treatment protocols.

Laser physio machine

The field of laser study is relatively young and there is still much to learn. We aim to stay up to date with research and provide you with the best understood applications, based on the research.

For now, let us assess you and decide if and how laser treatment can help you.

Click here to complete a screening form