Are you dealing with chronic pain, inflammation, or slow recovery from an injury? Laser therapy Titusville has emerged as an effective, non-invasive solution for a wide range of conditions. However, many people are still unfamiliar with how this treatment works and the benefits it offers. In this guide, we’ll explore what laser therapy is, its common uses, key benefits, and what you can expect during the procedure.
What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy is a medical procedure that utilizes concentrated light. It treats acute and chronic problems to help the body quickly heal. In contrast to most light sources, light from a laser (light amplification by stimulated emission or radiation) is tuned to specific wavelengths. This allows the laser to be focused into strong beams.
Types of Laser Therapy Used in Treatment
Laser therapy is divided into two different categories:
Low-Level Laser Therapy or Cold Laser Therapy
As the name may suggest, this laser therapy utilizes low-intensity lasers or light-emitting diodes. Low-level or cold laser therapy stimulates cell function without heating the tissues. They are primarily used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and repair tissue. This laser therapy treats arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, hair regrowth, and wound healing.
High-Intensity Laser Therapy
This type of laser therapy utilizes high-intensity lasers that produce a lot of heat. It helps by coagulating, cutting, or vaporizing tissues. It is used for skin treatments, such as laser resurfacing, tumor removal, or surgeries.
How Does Laser Therapy Work?
Laser therapy uses light wavelengths to penetrate deep into tissues. This light energy stimulates the cells, improving blood circulation and increasing cellular activity. As a result, the body’s natural healing process accelerates, reducing inflammation and relieving pain. The therapy also promotes the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is essential for cell repair and regeneration. This is why laser therapy is effective for treating injuries, chronic pain, and soft tissue conditions.
Uses of Laser Therapy
Laser therapy may be used to:
- minimize or eliminate tumors, polyps, or precancerous growths
- relieve symptoms of cancer
- remove kidney stones
- remove part of the prostate
- repair a detached retina
- improve vision
- treat hair loss resulting from alopecia or aging
- treat pain, including back nerve pain
Lasers can have a cauterizing or sealing effect and may be used to seal the following:
- nerve endings to reduce pain after surgery
- blood vessels to help prevent blood loss
- lymph vessels to reduce swelling and limit the spread of tumor cells
Lasers may be useful for treating the early stages of some cancers, including:
- cervical cancer
- penile cancer
- vaginal cancer
- vulvar cancer
- non-small cell lung cancer
- basal cell skin cancer
For cancer, laser therapy is performed alongside other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Cosmetically, laser therapy is also performed to:
- remove warts, moles, birthmarks, and sunspots.
- remove hair
- lessen the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes, or scars
- remove tattoos
Benefits of Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is an advanced treatment and offers multiple benefits to patients. The most significant benefits of laser therapy are the following:
- It is a non-invasive or minimally invasive treatment.
- It produces less pain and supports quick recovery.
- It is a precise form of treatment and targets only the diseased part.
- It helps reduce inflammation and speeds up the healing process.
- Laser surgeries have a lower risk of infection.
- A person can return to work earlier compared to other surgeries.
What Can You Expect During the Procedure?
In the following 3 sections, we break down the whole laser therapy procedure. Read it and learn what happens step by step.
Before the Procedure
Prior to the procedure, your doctor will give you specific instructions
- A few days before the procedure, you may need to refrain from taking medications, such as blood thinners.
- Before the procedure, you have to fast for a few hours.
- You have to stop smoking and drinking alcohol for a few days before the procedure.
During the Procedure
The technique of laser therapy differs depending on the procedure. For example, if laser therapy is performed to treat tumors, the doctors will use an endoscope to direct the laser and view the tissue inside the body. An endoscope is inserted through an opening in the body that helps the surgeon aim the laser light and shrink or destroy the tumor. In skin treatments, laser light is applied directly to the skin.
After the Procedure
You may need to stay in the hospital for a few hours after the laser therapy to monitor any side effects. Normally, patients can return home the same day. Laser therapies give long-lasting relief and help in quick healing.
As of now, you have learned about laser therapy. Visit Merritt Island Foot & Ankle if you’re thinking about laser therapy in Titusville. Although this procedure has a wide range of medical and cosmetic applications, at Merritt Island Foot & Ankle we focus on pain relief, injury recovery, and foot- and ankle-related conditions. Our certified and experienced doctors not only conduct efficient procedures but also give you aftercare tips. Contact us to book your appointment and visit our clinic.
