Laser therapy has been developed via evidence-based research and is used by Olympic teams and athletic trainers in the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and FIFA to assist in the recovery of muscular-skeletal injuries and the management of pain.
Ensuring the laser treatment you receive is optimal for the condition you are treating is essential. When laser treatment is administered, the dose delivered is vital to produce consistently positive results.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy: high or low density?
Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy (previously known as Low-Level Laser Therapy or LLLT) can be administered in high and low power densities depending on the aim of the practitioner and each individual patient’s symptoms.
To assist in faster healing and to reduce inflammation, low power density (< 100mW/cm²) laser therapy is used to target synovium inflammation found in joint cavities, tendon sheaths, and bursae. Working at a cellular level, laser therapy will speed up tissue repair, which is vital to reduce the period of rehabilitation needed following an injury or joint damage caused by repetitive and demanding physical activities.
High power density laser therapy, on the other hand, provides a deeper depth of tissue penetration for the management of pain by stimulating an immediate neural blockade lasting up to 24 hours.
Always visit a qualified therapist
When deciding on the level of laser therapy for you, it is vital you know you are in the hands of a qualified therapist who understands what type of laser will produce the best outcome for your individual impairment. When the power density is too low there may be no effect and if it is too high this may delay healing and reduce the anti-inflammatory effects.
In addition to laser therapy, sports massage has been shown to reduce muscle tension and inflammation of the connective soft tissues, which is essential for strong muscles. When both laser therapy and sports massage are intrinsically linked in a rehabilitation programme, they could provide full recovery from most soft tissue injuries.