Laser has been used successfully in physical medicine and rehabilitation for a lot more than 30 years in various parts of the world and has begun to improve in popularity in the United States since the FDA has cleared its use for several medical indications. Laser skin treatment involves introducing the power of light into damaged or injured tissues to market healing through the stimulation of ATP production and lymphocyte activity among other physiological responses.
In the usa, the FDA has thoroughly evaluated and subsequently cleared a variety of laser devices for the treatment of neck and shoulder pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. The FDA has also cleared infrared light, that is light energy with wavelengths longer than visible light, to do the following:
increase local blood circulation
alleviate minor muscle or joint aches, pain, and/or stiffness
relaxation of muscles
relieve muscle spasms
ease the pain and stiffness of associated with arthritis
Though laser therapy has been used safely and effectively throughout the world in animal research because the 1960's and safely with humans since the 1970's, you can find precautions with regard to the application of laser and specific instances where laser should not be used.
Only authorized and trained online should use laser for medical treatment. Since the beam of an infrared laser cannot be detected by the eye, protective eye wear that is created for the wavelength being used should be worn to prevent accidental exposure. Infrared light won't usually cause the eye to blink for protect itself. Another precaution pertains to the utilization of laser over growth plates in the bones. Though hardly any, if any, studies have figured the application of laser has any negative influence on growth plates, it is probably wise to stay away from a laser directly over them. Highly reflective jewelry ought to be removed from the region being treated, and treatment should not be done over or near reflective surfaces. Laser should only be employed to the area to be treated and really should not be utilized over areas where sensation has been compromised, as the patient will not be able sense discomfort if the laser is too intense.
Laser should not be used to irradiate the eyes, over cancerous tumors, within 4 to 6 six months of radiation therapy, over hemorrhage, over or close to the thyroid or endocrine glands, over a fetus or uterus during pregnancy, in cases where the individual has sensitivity to light, if the patient is using medication that is photosensitive, or with patients that have vascular disease.
Laser use has been proven effective for the treatment of several conditions, and may prove to be effective in the treating others as the use of laser increases. However, when laser is used caution should be exercised and attention ought to be paid to the conditions under which laser may be harmful to avoid unwanted effects.