We are very excited to have available the healing and anti-inflammatory effects of a Class 3B laser and LED as a part of our Osteopathic medical practice!

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a form of medicine that uses low-level (low-power) lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to stimulate tissue healing and cellular function when used at the correct wavelength and intensity, and in the correct anatomical location. Laser treatment can stimulate cellular and tissue repair, reduce inflammation and reduce pain. The LED is useful in treating conditions and injuries that are more superficial, and the IIIB laser can treat similar conditions that are deeper in the tissue as it penetrates further.

It is documented by numerous journals to be useful in soft tissue injuries, neck and lower back pain and conditions, and other joint diseases. Laser and LED treatment can also be very beneficial in frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinitis and sprain ankles, as well as diagnosis of fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes. The treatments are from one to ten minutes in length, at least twice a week for a few weeks.

The mechanism by which laser and LED functions is by affecting a protein in the powerhouse of the cell, called the mitochondria. This protein is called cytochrome c oxidase, and increasing its production will increase ATP, the energy packets that cells use. It also decreases oxidative stress, which is the reason for aging and death in cells.

Dr. Swan and Dr. Stanley have both incorporated use of the laser combined with traditional Osteopathic manipulation. Osteopathic manipulation can treat virtually all pain and conditions, and these effects are greatly amplified with use of the laser or LED concurrently with Osteopathic manipulation.

Dr. Swan is also now adding the laser and LED light to acupuncture points and meridians for treatment of pain, structural issues and many other imbalanced physiologic conditions.

A Class 3 laser is a well-documented and highly beneficial form of treatment that has been used in veterinary medicine for decades and in human medicine for the past thirty years. Research has found that laser or LED treatment is much more effective than medication (known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) or cortisone in the decrease of inflammation. This allows the healing process to proceed many times faster, and for the cause of the problem or condition to resolve much more rapidly.

More information on the laser can be found on the Thor website, thorlaser.com