Photobiomodulation Laser Therapy FAQ - Ashmore Osteopathic GroupAshmore Osteopathic Group

In undertaking any type of treatment there is always a protocol which is followed for patients who are considered for any treatment modality. These treatments ar performed by practitioners working within the scope of practice they are duly registered to do so.

*DISCLAIMER: Like all medical procedures, they do have a success and failure rate. All patient reviews on this site should not be interpreted as a statement on the effectiveness of our treatments for anyone else. Our website has been set up to show the varied modalities of treatment that may be available to patients. Experience has shown us that no one treatment modality is a panacea for a patients clinical symptoms, but a multifactorial approach in managing any pain syndrome should be viewed in its entirety.

To help patients navigate through the fiels of Photobiomodulation Laser Therapy as a treatment option we attempted to answer some frequently asked questions:

What is Photobiomodulation Laser Therapy in simple terms?

Laser therapy applies light in the red light to near-infrared light wavelengths of 600-1100nm (most commonly used wavelengths in PBM) to the surface of the skin, then penetrating deep into cells triggering biochemical reactions that increase cellular energy namely ATP, and can reduce pain intensity for many conditions, including chronic joint pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and neck pain, can reduce inflammation and swelling and can improve tissue repair and promote healing.

Would laser therapy effective for treating my pain?

Laser therapy can effectively manage pain for several conditions and ailments, including:

Fibromyalgia
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Diabetic neuropathy
Acute and chronic inflammation
Overuse injuries
Post-surgical healing

Is deep laser tissue therapy right for me?

Deep Tissue Laser Therapy may be right for you if you have certain conditions, such as:

Arthritis
Knee pain
Lower back pain
Muscle strains
Neck pain
Pain from muscle spasms

Deep laser therapy is a treatment delivered by high-powered class IV lasers that emit red and near-infrared light in wavelengths between 600-1300nm, which penetrate deep into the body to promote healing.

Does laser therapy help reduce inflammation?

Inflammation is normally a beneficial response to an injury, in that acute inflammation triggers the release of substances that promote healing. Acute inflammation comes on quickly and disappears when the body begins to heal. Inflammation can become a problem when it becomes chronic, though, especially if the inflammation continues for a long time. Chronic inflammation is associated with body pain, muscle and joint pain, and other health issues.

Laser therapy helps reduce both acute and chronic inflammation. The light wavelengths used in laser therapy stimulate mitochondria, which produce the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that body cells use as fuel while they recover from injury. Laser therapy also improves circulation to help tissues in the affected area get the oxygen and nutrients they need for healing.

How long should laser therapy last?

While many people feel better immediately after their first laser therapy treatment, most people enjoy optimal relief from their condition after undergoing regular treatment sessions for several weeks. As with any other treatment, consistency is the key.The number of treatments vary depending on the severity of the issue. For example, knee arthritis may take 7 – 9 treatments, while as a muscle tear/acute sprain only 2-3 treatments. Patients start to see results within a few sessions and sometimes immediately.

Can I undergo laser therapy along with other treatments?

Since laser therapy does not interfere with any prescription or non-prescription drugs you may already use. Laser therapy also makes an excellent add-on treatment for physical therapy, surgical procedures, joint injection, or other therapies you may need to treat your condition.

What is the cost of laser therapy?

As laser therapy may be incorporated into the consultation, 15 minute treatments for one region are only $65 per session. For treatment to 1 or more regions extra time is required and are $95 per session. The amount of time required depends on the area being treated. Smaller areas such as knees, shoulders and feet can be treated within 15 minutes. Larger areas such as lower backs or multiple areas requiring treatment will need longer.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments vary depending on the severity of the issue.For example, knee arthritis may take 7-9 treatments, while an acute injury such as a muscle tear/joint sprain only 2-3 treatments. Patients start to see results within a few sessions and sometimes immediately.

Who administers the laser therapy treatments and is it covered under any health fund rebates?

The laser therapy is done by one of practitioners located within our office. Being a registered healthcare practitioner allows laser therapy to be incorporated into the treatment so patients are able to claim a health fund rebate at each consultation.

Are there any contraindications to Laser Therapy?

Are there any safety issues that I should be aware of?

Patients are required to wear safety glasses, provided by the practitioner.This is to protect your eyes from the laser light

The application of non-invasive laser therapy has many suitable applications however there are some contra-indications that need to be considered, these include; malignant carcinoma, tumours, epilepsy and exposure of the abdomen during pregnancy.

The laser beam should NEVER be directed toward the eyes or eye damage could occur.

As a preventative measure it is recommended not use laser therapy treatment during pregnancy.

Laser units could interfere with electronic implants such as pacemaker and spinal cord simulators. It may not be safe to use this technology on patients with these implants.

Pigments from a tattoo can potentially absorb and focus the laser beam on the surface of the skin. In other words, heat could build up at the surface and prevent the laser beam from penetrating to deeper tissues. Skin pigment melanin or pigments from tattoo affects the dosage in deep tissues.