The Benefits of Red Light & Laser Therapy
Fortius Physiotherapy is VERY excited to announce a new innovative and highly beneficial piece of equipment that offers our patients the same healing benefits as pro sports teams like the LA Rams!! A combination of red light and laser therapy, often referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), offers several benefits due to the specific properties of both types of light. Below is a brief summary of how it works and why this combo can be particularly effective:
Wavelength-Specific Benefits
Red Light typically operates in the range of 600 to 650 nm (nanometers). This wavelength is absorbed well by mitochondria in cells which plays a key role in cellular energy production. Red light helps stimulate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, boosting the energy available to cells for repair and regeneration.
Laser Light often has a more coherent and focused beam compared to non-coherent red light sources (like LEDs). Lasers can deliver more concentrated light energy to specific tissues or areas, penetrating deeper into the body, depending on the wavelength. In the case of red laser light, it helps in targeted tissue therapy with precision.
This combination of treatment helps to treat a plethora of issues. Below are just a few examples of how Fortius Physiotherapy can support your healing process.
Enhance Tissue Repair & Regeneration
Red light improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation, and promotes collagen production in the skin. It can be particularly effective for treating surface wounds, scars, and minor injuries. Laser light can penetrate deeper into tissues, which makes it beneficial for muscle recovery, joint pain, and deeper injuries. The combined effect of red light and laser light enhances overall healing and tissue regeneration, speeding up recovery.
Key Player in Pain Relief
Both red light and laser are known for their pain-relieving properties. The combination can reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and activate endorphin release (natural painkillers produced by the body). This makes the combo effective for chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, jaw pain. It is also effective for muscle and tendon pain including sports injuries, sprains, tendonitis, bursitis and muscle strains. Red light and laser therapy can reduce nerve pain, such as in cases of sciatica or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Reduction of Inflammation
Red light therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help reduce swelling and discomfort in tissues. Laser, with its ability to penetrate more deeply, can target deeper inflammatory processes that red light alone might not reach. Together, they offer a more comprehensive anti-inflammatory effect for conditions like arthritis. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from these therapies due to their ability to reduce inflammation and promote joint healing. Chronic tendinitis and bursitis involving the chronic inflammation of tendons and bursae can be eased with red light therapy.
Improved Circulation
Red light helps promote vasodilation (expansion of blood vessels), improving circulation. When combined with laser therapy, the overall increase in blood flow can support tissue healing and reduce swelling, allowing for faster recovery from injuries. This is very effective for muscle recovery after intense physical exercise. It is also beneficial in post-surgical healing where red light and laser therapy can speed up recovery after surgeries, including jaw and dental work.
Reduced Scar Tissue Formation
Red light therapy promotes collagen synthesis, which helps in the formation of healthy tissue and reduces scar tissue formation. When combined with laser therapy, it may help in the management and treatment of existing scar tissue by stimulating deeper layers of tissue.
The Dual Action combination of red light and laser can create a synergistic effect that results in more significant therapeutic outcomes than when either light therapy is used alone. This combination can offer both superficial benefits (skin repair, pain relief) and deeper tissue penetration (joint or muscle therapy).
In summary, the combination of red light and laser therapy maximizes the strengths of each, enhancing tissue repair, reducing pain, improving circulation, and speeding up healing across a wide range of conditions. This makes it particularly beneficial for both acute injuries and chronic conditions, as well as for general wellness. Our Fortius Physiotherapy team (Fort Erie) can help guide you to provide the best individualized combination treatment for you!