Laser has been used successfully in physical medicine and rehabilitation for more than 30 years in various parts of the planet and has begun to increase in popularity in the usa since the FDA has cleared its use for several medical indications. Laser treatment involves introducing the power of light into damaged or injured tissues to promote healing through the stimulation of ATP production and lymphocyte activity among other physiological responses.
In the usa, the FDA has thoroughly evaluated and subsequently cleared numerous laser devices for the treating neck and shoulder pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. The FDA has also cleared infrared light, which is light energy with wavelengths longer than visible light, to accomplish the following:
increase local the circulation of blood
alleviate minor muscle or joint aches, pain, and/or stiffness
relaxation of muscles
relieve muscle spasms
sooth the pain and stiffness of associated with arthritis
Though laser therapy has been used safely and effectively across the world in animal research since the 1960's and safely with humans since the 1970's, you can find precautions pertaining to the use of laser and specific instances where laser shouldn't be used.
Only authorized and trained medical professionals should use laser for medical treatment. Because the beam of an infrared laser can't be detected by the eye, protective eye wear that is designed for the wavelength being used should be worn to avoid accidental exposure. Infrared light will not usually cause the attention to blink for protect itself. Another precaution relates to the utilization of laser over growth plates in the bones. Though very few, if any, studies have concluded that the utilization of laser has any negative effect on growth plates, it really is probably wise to stay away from a laser directly over them. Highly reflective jewelry should be removed from the region being treated, and treatment should not be done over or near reflective surfaces. Laser should only be employed to the region to be treated and really should not be utilized over areas where sensation has been compromised, because the patient is probably not able sense discomfort if the laser is too intense.
Learn more here be used to irradiate the eyes, over cancerous tumors, within four to six six months of radiation therapy, over hemorrhage, over or near the thyroid or endocrine glands, over a fetus or uterus during pregnancy, in cases where the individual has sensitivity to light, if the patient is using medication that is photosensitive, or with patients which have vascular disease.
Laser use has been proven effective for the treating numerous conditions, and may end up being effective in the treatment of others as the usage of laser increases. However, when laser is used caution ought to be exercised and attention should be paid to the conditions under which laser may be harmful to avoid unwanted effects.