What is Medical Laser Therapy?
Medical Laser Therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to stimulate the body's natural ability to heal. The effects of laser energy include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling without the need for dangerous drugs or surgery. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy occurs when a dose of light energy reaches target tissue and results in decreased inflammation, decreased pain, and accelerated healing. This doctor prescribed, technician-driven modality effectively treats a wide variety of conditions including pre-surgical, post-surgical, acute, and chronic disease states. Summus Medical Laser (formerly known as K-Laser) is leading the way in pain management, tissue repair, safe treatments, and fast treatment times.
"The Summus Medical Laser is being used in some of the very best health care clinics across the country, and by several professional sports teams, such as the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees. We are very pleased to offer the same laser therapy technology to our patients that million dollar athletes rely on every day to get them back in the game as soon and as efficiently as possible." -- Dr. Christopher J. Harris, DC, MC, DACBSP, DACRB, ICSC
How Does Laser Therapy Work, and Why Are Wavelengths So Important?
Wavelengths determine a laser's energy penetration in tissue and specifically target beneficial chromophores to stimulate the intended photochemical reactions. The Summus Platinum 4 (P4) Medical Laser incorporates up to four wavelengths of various levels at once during each treatment that each target a specific area and region to achieve various outcomes.
650 Nanometer (nm) Wavelength
Irradiating an area with 650nm, a wavelength where melanin in our skin absorbs very well, will ensure a large dose to the superficial region. Since light can both inhibit bacteria and promote cell growth, laser therapy has incredible results in wound healing and scar tissue regulation
810 Nanometer (nm) Wavelength
The enzyme determining how efficiently the cell converts molecular oxygen into ATP has the highest absorption at 810nm. Regardless of the enzyme's molecular state, when it absorbs a photon if will flip states. Photon absorption will accelerate the process and increase cellular ATP production, which is a critical step for energy production and facilitating greater efficiency with the biological processes occurring within the cells.
915 Nanometer (nm) Wavelength
The quicker oxygen is released into the blood stream, the more fuel the cell has to carry out all of its natural healing processes. The peak of hemoglobin's absorption lies at 915nm, and when this wavelength is absorbed, more oxygen-fuel is made available to the cells.
980 Nanometer (nm) Wavelength
Water in our patient's blood transports oxygen to the cells, carries waste away, and absorbs very well at 980nm. The energy created from absorbing a photon gets converted to heat, creating a temperature gradient at the cellular level, stimulating micro-circulation, and bringing more oxygen-fuel to the cells.
Numerous Studies Show That Laser Therapy Can Help With the Following Conditions:
Tendinopathies, carpal tunnel syndrome, myofascial trigger points, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), ligament sprains, muscle strains, repetitive stress injuries, chondromalacia patellae, plantar fasciitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, shoulder, back & knee pain, herpes zoster (shingles), post-traumatic injury, trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, burns, deep edema/congestion, sports injuries, auto and work related injuries. If you are affected by one or more of these conditions, Summus Medical Laser Therapy may be able to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How should I dress for a Laser treatment?
- Your Summus Medical Laser treatment must be delivered directly to your skin. Wear clothing that will allow access to the treatment area. For example, shorts, t-shirt, tank top, etc.
- Is everyone a candidate for Medical Laser Therapy?
- The simple answer to this question is no. This is because there are both absolute and relative contraindications to the administration of Medical Laser Therapy. Absolute contraindications are for those conditions that a patient is not a candidate for this therapy in our office. Relative contraindications are those conditions that warrant further discussion to determine if the patient can in fact still be a candidate for care in the presence of other various conditions or situations. Absolute contraindications for care include those that are currently pregnant and those that are facing an active cancer diagnosis. The therapy under no circumstances can be administered directly into the eye, and particular attention is given to ensure that extended exposure is not directly applied over the thyroid glad for extended/cummulative amounts of time. An example of a relative contraindication for care include those that have had steroid injections in the affected area which will have a period of seven days (one week) before laser therapy can be administered to the same area. Any other absolute and relative contraindications will be pre-screened and discussed in great detail directly with the doctor prior to the administration of the laser therapy to any patient to ensure the highest levels of safety for any patient being treated with medical laser therapy.
- How long does each treatment take?
- The typical treatment is 4 to 8 minutes per region or body part being treated. Treatment times will be dependent upon the size of the area treated. Those being treated for certain conditions may undergo longer treatment times as multiple body regions will be treated during the treatment session, such as in the conditions of neuropathy, fibromyalgia, cervical and lumbar radiculopathies, etc.
- How many treatments will I need?
- The number of Summus Medical Laser treatments you will need depends on the nature and duration of your condition, as well as the possibility of several other factors. Some acute conditions, 4 to 6 treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require 6 to 12 (or more) treatments. Conditions such as severe arthritis may require ongoing periodic care to control pain. Each patient's condition is different than others, and an individual treatment program will be prescribed for your specific condition and presentation.
- How often should a patient be treated?
- Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times per week, tapering to once a week or once every other week, with improvement.
- What does it feel like to get a treatment?
- There is usually little to no sensation during treatment sessions. However, patients will sometimes report feelings of a mild, soothing warmth or tingling. Areas of pain or inflammation may be sensitive briefly before pain reduciton. Since the Summus Medical Laser is a high-powered medical therapy laser, your skin may get warm during the treatment, but the warmth felt is not detrimental to the overall therapeutic benefit of the therapy. Many patients feel a significant reduction in pain on the first visit. Occasionally, patients will feel slightly more pain immediately after the treatment, and subsequently much better the next day.
- How will I feel after the treatment?
- You may feel improvement in your condition (usually pain reduction) after the very first treatment. Sometimes you will not feel improvement for a number of treatments. This does not mean that the condition is not improving. If you do feel less pain, keep in mind that pain reduction is just one goal. The Summus Medical Laser is giving your body's cells more energy so they have the ability to repair and regenerate new tissues. The effect of the Summus Medical Laser therapy treatments is cumulative, meaning you will experience more of the therapeutic benefit of the treatment with successive treatments.
- Can Medical Laser Therapy be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment?
- Yes. Medical Laser Therapy is often used with other forms of treatment, including chiropractic, spinal decompression therapy, physical therapy, massage, soft tissue mobilization, electrotherapy, and even following surgery. Other healing modalities are complementary and can be used with Medical Laser Therapy to increase the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
- Are there any side effects or associated risks?
- During more than twenty years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have ever been reported. Occasionally some old injuries or pain syndromes may feel aggravated for a few days, as the healing response is more active after treatment.
- Do I need to take special precautions after my Summus Medical Laser treatment?
- For the most part, the simple answer is no. We highly recommend that patients receiving Summus Medical Laser therapy treatment not to over exert the treatment area to avoid reinjuring the treated area or areas. It may be recommended to patients to make small changes to normal activities of living and lifestyle habits such as changing the workstation at their office, different sleeping positions, participating in physical activity for shorter durations of time, etc. For example, if a patient is choosing to work out during the window of time he or she is receiving the Summus Medical Laser treatment, it may be recommended by the doctor that the patient reduce the intensity of the workout or made modifications to the nature of the workout. Any and all of these lifestyle modifications will be discussed with the patient by the doctor upon each successive treatment.
- Should I use ice or pain relief gel after my Summus Medical Laser treatment?
- One of the common effects of the Summus Medical Laser treatment is vasodilation, which mean that blood and lymphatic vessels will have a slightly larger diameter. This mechanism helps with the reduction of inflammation, but for some people the vasodilation can also make them sore. The use of a pain relief gel is a potential post-treatment option, however this will be discussed and decided with the doctor. However, ice therapy after treatment sessions is typically not utilized as the vasoconstrictive properties of ice therapy would be counterintuitive to the vasodilation properties of the laser treatment that results during and after the administration of the therapy.
- I feel a lot better - but I still have sessions remaining in the Summis Medical Laser treatment program originally discussed. What should I do?
- Pain relief is just one goal in your care while participating in a Summus Medical Laser treatment program. These treatments help both the repair and regeneration processes that take place within the body. Completing your Summus Medical Laser treatment program will further assist the healing processes. We suggest that you use all of the treatments initially prescribed by the doctor to ensure the most effective care and therapeutic benefit of the treatment possible has been achieved.
- Why do I have to wear safety goggles during my Summus Medical Laser treatment?
- The Summus Medical Laser is a high-powered laser. Laser light can be focused by the lens of your eye, and potentially causing permanent damage to your retina. The safety glasses worn during treatment specifically block out the wavelengths of light produced by the Summus Medical Laser.
- Has the effectiveness of Medical Laser Therapy been demonstrated scientifically?
- Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of Medical Laser Therapy. Among these, there are more than one hundred rigorously controlled, scientific studies that document the effectiveness of laser for many clinical conditions.
