What is Laser Therapy in Lake in the Hills IL?

What is laser therapy in Lake in the Hills IL?

Chiropractic Lake in the Hills IL What Is Laser Therapy

Shouldn’t I feel better by now? Will I ever be the same? These are questions many people ask themselves when a strain, sprain, or ligament injury is still sore months or years after the injury occurred. There’s a reason for that continued pain, and there’s a way to help your body heal. You don’t have to resign yourself to pain and reduced function forever. Here’s everything you need to know about the healing process and how laser therapy in Lake in the Hills IL can help your body heal as it should.


What is a LightForce Ⓡ 15W XP Therapy Laser in Lake in The Hills IL?

We use a class IV laser, the gold standard for laser therapy. It emits red and infrared light that penetrates deep into tissues and works on a cellular level. The process is similar to photosynthesis in plants. In humans, these wavelengths of light stimulate cells to produce collagen--a vital part of the healing and tissue-building process. The laser also stimulates circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the area.

When we receive an injury, the body immediately goes to work to build and strengthen new tissues. It typically takes about twelve weeks for healing to complete (although major injuries can continue healing for up to a year.) A stalled healing process is often to blame when an injury like a sprained ankle is still sore and weak months after the injury. When healing doesn’t progress past the early inflammatory and new tissue stages, the result is low-level inflammation, pain, and tender tissues that are easily reinjured. Lack of circulation is a common cause of stalled healing. Some tissues, like joints, tendons, and ligaments, have poor blood flow. As a result, these areas are slow to heal and are prone to repetitive use injuries that cause chronic pain.

Laser therapy (also called Photobiomodulation) jumpstarts the healing process by bringing blood flow and healing factors to the area. The result is complete healing of acute injuries and less pain from repetitive use injuries.


Is There Proof That Laser Therapy Works?

Several studies (like this one and this one) have proven the efficacy and safety of laser therapy for various conditions ranging from acute and repetitive injuries to autoimmune-related inflammation. The use of laser therapy for injury treatment is well-established in the medical community and approved by the FDA.


What Conditions Does it Treat?

We use laser therapy to treat patients with injuries that are struggling to heal, post-surgical healing, and pain caused by repetitive use injuries. Here are some diagnoses that we treat:

  • Tendonitis
  • Carpal Tunnel
  • Strains and Sprains
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Sports Injuries
  • And more

Surgeons like to send their patients for post-surgical laser therapy because it may prevent excess inflammation that interferes with healing. It also reduces pain and makes patients less dependent on potentially dangerous pain medications.

A “clean heal” that forms strong, organized tissues without extra scar tissue gives you the best chance of regaining full functionality without pain. Using laser therapy on a new wound assists with this. Excess scar tissue within the wound is one of the most common reasons for persistent pain and stiffness after an injury heals. Though excess scar tissue can cause problems for anyone, it’s especially difficult for athletes as it can reduce range of motion and performance. For this reason, we often recommend that laser therapy be the first line of treatment for sports injuries.

Laser therapy is also useful for older injuries because it can address excess scar tissue and reduce inflammation caused by a stalled healing process. Though results can take longer to achieve, no injury is too old to benefit from laser therapy.


What Should I Expect During Treatment?

Laser therapy is a comfortable, quick, and safe treatment. Before your first treatment, your provider will consult with you to learn more about your injury, health history, and healing goals. You’ll then uncover the area to be treated and put on safety glasses to protect your eyes from the laser. Your provider will communicate with you during your therapy so they can personalize treatment to your needs.

Most patients feel a slight warming sensation during and right after treatment, and many report an immediate reduction in pain. How long your sessions last and how many you need will be determined based on your injury and response to therapy. Typically, laser therapy sessions last anywhere from three to ten minutes. Acute injuries usually respond faster and require fewer treatments than old injuries or chronic conditions. Degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis can’t be cured, but laser therapy may help manage symptoms like pain, stiffness, and swelling. Arthritis patients typically come in for laser therapy sessions regularly.

Since laser therapy appointments are quick, comfortable, and non-invasive, they are easy to fit in around nearly any schedule.


Will Laser Therapy Help My Back Pain?

Laser therapy is an effective treatment for many causes of neck and back pain. Many structures in the back don’t receive robust blood flow, slowing the healing process. Laser therapy aids with circulation to the area and speeds up healing. It also relieves inflammation--the primary cause of pain from many back injuries. Laser therapy is particularly effective for whiplash and other neck and back injuries that involve damage to ligaments, tendons, or muscles. It may relieve pain associated with disc injuries when used alongside other treatments like spinal decompression therapy.

Your chiropractor can evaluate your back pain and recommend the treatment plan that’s right for you.


Laser Therapy at Lake in the Hills IL

At Precise Chiropractic Center, we use laser therapy to treat patients dealing with prolonged pain and help their bodies complete the healing process. Schedule a consultation today to find out how laser therapy can help you get back to life without pain.

OFFICE HOURS


Monday
8:30am - 10:30am
4:00pm - 6:30pm


Tuesday
4:00pm - 6:00pm


Wednesday
8:30am - 10:30am
4:00pm - 6:30pm


Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm


Friday
8:30am - 10:30am


Saturday
8:30am - 10:30am

Precise Chiropractic Center
4581 Princeton Lane Suite 119
Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
(847) 669-6888