Laser physical therapy is a non-invasive treatment that helps reduce pain, improve mobility, and speed up healing. It is often used alongside standard physical therapy techniques. If you live in Bryn Mawr and are exploring your options for pain relief, learn more about our laser therapy approach at Primal Physical Therapy.
Laser therapy uses focused light to treat injured tissues. The laser delivers energy into the cells, and is very effective at reducing swelling, increasing blood flow, and facilitating healing. In physical therapy, it is often added to a treatment plan for patients managing chronic or acute pain.
Our laser is a Class IV laser – which is the highest quality and most advanced therapeutic laser you can buy. Class IV laser therapy uses a higher-powered laser that reaches deeper tissue compared to other versions. Its ability to penetrate deeper into the tissues of your body make it useful for treating not just the surface, but also the muscles, tendons, and joints underneath.
Laser therapy works by sending light energy into the body. This energy stimulates the blood flow, mitochondria, and cellular repair inside the body. The reactions stimulated by laser therapy allow the cells to repair themselves more efficiently. As a result, patients often experience faster tissue healing and immediate improvements in inflammation. Class IV laser therapy not only improves blood flow but also creates new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to support better healing even after the laser session is complete.
Because of its depth and power, Class IV therapy is especially useful for treating neuropathy, back pain, plantar fasciitis, and other deep-tissue issues like deep muscle strains and ligament strains, where conventional therapies may take longer to effectively change. In addition, it has been proven to be a helpful intervention for inflammatory conditions such as lateral epicondylitis, Achilles tendonitis, or arthritis.
When is Class 4 Laser better than Red Light Therapy?
To hear why laser is more effective than red light therapy for muscle, bone, and tendon injuries, watch the video!
Our Philadelphia laser physical therapy is effective for a range of musculoskeletal problems, including:
Though generally safe, your physical therapist may alter your treatment plan and/or recommend another type of treatment if you:
Most patients describe a pleasant warm feeling throughout the treatment and notice relief often that very same day.
Laser therapy sessions are quick and painless. The laser is targeted directly over your skin, so it’s ideal to wear loose, accessible garments. At your appointment, the physical therapist will apply the laser to the affected area, moving it slowly for anywhere from 2-10 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment zone and the specific injury we are treating.
Patients often describe the treatment as calming and warm. There is no downtime after your session. You can return to normal activity right away.
After the first session, most patients feel some relief immediately. After a few treatments, many patients also report:
It is important for you to know that the benefits tend to compound with each session. The more frequently you stack your laser sessions, the faster your injury will heal.
Whether you’re dealing with knee pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or chronic back pain, laser therapy may be a helpful part of your recovery. It’s non-invasive, low-risk, and supported by years of solid evidence.
To learn more about whether laser physical therapy is right for you, visit Primal Physical Therapy today. Call us to schedule a laser physical therapy consultation.
Therapeutic Lasers like ours are completely painless. Most patients feel at most a slight warmth throughout the treatment. Some patients feel relief immediately after just one session, but some injuries (especially chronic injuries) may take a few sessions for the results to compound and become apparent.
Most treatments take less than 15 minutes in total. With our dual delivery options, we can treat multiple areas/factors related to your injury simultaneously, giving you a comprehensive treatment in less time.
Most acute injuries require about 6-8 sessions, while the average chronic issue needs closer to 12-14 sessions. Contact us to find out more about class four laser therapy and see if it’s right for you.