Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy at Sampsell Physical Therapy and Functional Wellness
Since our incorporation of Red Light Therapy in our practice we have seen excellent results treating many conditions. We use a specially engineered device which emits a cold laser and red light which is absorbed by both the injured and healthy cells. This light produces energy to help repair the cells and accelerate the healing process. You could see results after only one or two treatments. It will also mean that you will need to be seen for fewer visits than conventional physical therapy clinics.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Light Therapy is also known as photobiomodulation. It entails the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near infrared) to generate a photochemical response in damaged or dysfunctional tissue.
The light works by creating an increase of vasodilatation (blood supply), bringing in oxygen to the cells. It stimulates the lymphatic system, pulling edema and inflammation from the area. ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) production is stimulated in the cells helping them have the energy to function normally. The pain reflex is broken, offering immediate relief of pain.
Light therapy can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery from a wide range of acute and chronic clinical conditions. Significant reduction in edema (swelling) has been noted as well as tissues are better able to move fluids out through lymphatic drainage pathways.
The number of treatments required depends on the nature of the problem and the length of time the patient has been affected by it. Some conditions may be resolved with as few as one treatment. However, chronic and/or deep-seated conditions may take as many as 10 treatments.
Light therapy technology has been recently endorsed by professional organizations such as the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). There are no known side effects from LASER therapy and the results are long lasting.
What can Red Light Therapy be used for?
Light Therapy has been proven to be effective for a wide variety of conditions. Some of them include:
- Tendinitis
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Knee and Shoulder Pain
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Back and Neck Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Myofascical Trigger Points
- Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Sprains, Strains
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Chondromalacia Patellae
- Plantar Fascitis
- Degenerative Joint Conditions
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Neurogenic Pain
- Post-traumatic Injury
Is Light therapy painful?
No, the therapy is painless and totally non-invasive. There is just a deep, gentle warmth as your body’s cells respond to the light.
Is Light Therapy safe?
The FDA has proven that the therapy is safe. The only contraindication (warning) is for use directly in the eye. The laser was first approved on Feb. 11, 2002 for the treatment & management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Does Light therapy really work? Yes, research has demonstrated that:
- Injuries treated with Light therapy heal faster
- Light Therapy has a strengthening effect on tissue repair
- Light Therapy improves blood flow & lymphatic drainage
- It is an effective means of relief for many pain syndromes
- It can improve immune response
How does the Light treatment work?
Treatment for pain is performed by the physical therapist by placing the Red Light in contact with the skin allowing the photon energy to penetrate tissue, where it interacts with various intracellular bio molecules resulting in the restoration of normal cell function. This enhances and essentially speeds the body’s natural healing processes.
The treatment process results in a disappearance of symptoms. Additionally, the immune system response is stimulated, Lymphatic drainage is improved, production of growth hormone is increased, and the body’s natural healing processes are enhanced and essentially sped up.
What are the effects of Light therapy?
Physiological Effects:
- Biostimulation including improved metabolism & increased cell metabolism
- Improved blood circulation and vasodilatation (blood supply)
- Analgesic (pain relieving) effect
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects
- Acceleration of tissue repair and wound healing
- Relieves acute and chronic pains
- Increases the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair
- Increases blood supply
- Stimulates the immune system
- Stimulates and improves nerve function
- Develops collagen and muscle tissue
- Helps generate new and healthy cells and tissue
- Promotes faster wound healing and clot formation
- Reduces inflammation
- Angiogenesis (improved circulation)
- Reduction in fibrous tissue (scar tissue) formation
How long is each treatment?
Treatments last between 5 and 10 minutes depending on your injury and the body part being treated.
How many treatments are required before I see results?
You should notice improvements to your condition within 5 to 10 brief treatments, often times sooner in 1-2 treatments.
Unlike other physical therapy clinics offering red Light and Cold Laser Therapy, there is no additional charge to you for this revolutionary treatment!
Sampsell Physical Therapy and Functional Wellness has been utilizing the Red Light Therapy for almost a decade to treat many acute and chronic orthopedic conditions as an adjunct to many manual techniques and superior assessment to properly identify the source of your problem to properly treat it quicker and more efficiently and safer than conventual physical therapy clinics. The fact that every one of our patients gets 1 hour of treatment gives us the ability to utilize all of our tools and expertise.
