Erchonia Laser
To provide the best treatment possible to our patients, one of the modalities provided by the medical team at Midwest Physical Therapy is the Erchonia PL Series Laser. Low-level laser therapy is simply the use of low intensity photonic energy as a treatment modality. The photonic stimuli excite the body’s cells, infusing them with energy, via the mitochondria, which allows for inflammation reduction, cell regeneration, and increased blood flow. This laser allows us to treat a number of issues such as pain, tissue injury, wound care, neuralgia, plantar fasciitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
The following are just a few examples of the uses of low level laser:
Neck and Shoulder Pain
In A Clinical Study of the Effectiveness for Mitigating Pain and Improving Range of Motion with the Erchonia Low-Level Laser on Minor Neck and Shoulder Pain (2000) as well as the 2001 Study on the Effectivenesson the Erchonia Low Level Laser in Providing Temporary Relief on Chronic Minor Neck or Shoulder Pain, the researchers established “the Erchonia low-level laser is a safe and effective device for single-use temporary pain relief and improvement in range of motion for patients with chronic pain in the neck and shoulder areas originating from the conditions of osteoarthritis, muscle spasms and cervical and thoracic spine strain.”
Surgeries, Wound & Burn Care
One clinical trial, Laser Assisted Liposuction, noted that the patients treated with real lasers healed at a much faster rate than those treated with placebo, approximately at a 2 to 1 ratio for surgical sites. Reports from Erchonia’s benchmark medical group found that patients who were treated with low-level laser therapy, regardless of the type of wound, healed at a remarkably rapid rate. In 2004, The Tucson Citizen published an article on low-level laser for wound healing. Dr. Jeffery Nelson, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Saint Mary’s Hospital, cited the low-level laser as the modality responsible for enabling more rapid wound healing, improved tissue color and profusion to the injured tissues, reduction of pain (ranged from 6-18 hours), and more ease in general patient recovery.
Breast Augmentation
Jackson, Roche, and Mangione’s study, Low-Level Laser Therapy Effectiveness for Reducing Pain After Breast Augmentation, provided evidence that low-level laser therapy is effective at significantly decreasing postoperative pain and the amount of pain medication needed after breast augmentation at 1 day and 1 week. The laser therapy was found to be easily and safely administered with no adverse reactions noted.
Contraindications and Precautions
Erchonia does not recommend use of low-level laser therapy on pregnant women or persons with a pacemaker, or over a malignant tumor.
Side Effects and Complications
Some recipients have reported a deep sense of relaxation after low-level laser therapy use that may cause drowsiness. According to the Erchonia website, there are no known or published adverse effects of low-level laser therapy.
The Medical Team at Midwest Physical Therapy provides the best possible treatment by offering low-level laser therapy when appropriate. Ask your Therapist if you are a candidate for this modality.