Indications and Contraindications for Laser Therapy

Laser has been used successfully in physical medicine and rehabilitation for more than 30 years in various parts of the planet and has begun to increase in popularity in the usa because the FDA has cleared its use for several medical indications. Laser treatment involves introducing the power of light into damaged or injured tissues to promote healing through the stimulation of ATP production and lymphocyte activity among other physiological responses.

In america, the FDA has thoroughly evaluated and subsequently cleared a variety of laser devices for the treating neck and shoulder pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. The FDA in addition has cleared infrared light, that is light energy with wavelengths longer than visible light, to do the following:

increase local the circulation of blood
alleviate minor muscle or joint aches, pain, and/or stiffness
relaxation of muscles
relieve muscle spasms
sooth the pain and stiffness of associated with arthritis
Though laser therapy has been used safely and effectively across the world in animal research because the 1960's and safely with humans since the 1970's, you can find precautions pertaining to the use of laser and specific instances where laser should not be used.

Only authorized and trained doctors should use laser for medical treatment. Since the beam of an infrared laser can't be detected by the human eye, protective eye wear that's designed for the wavelength being used should be worn to avoid accidental exposure. Infrared light will not usually cause the attention to blink for protect itself. Another precaution relates 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 effect on growth plates, it is probably wise to stay away from a laser directly over them. Highly reflective jewelry should be removed from the area being treated, and treatment should not be done over or near reflective surfaces. Laser should only be applied to the area to be treated and really should not be utilized over areas where sensation has been compromised, as the patient might 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 patient has sensitivity to light, if the individual is using medication that is photosensitive, or with patients that have vascular disease.

Laser use has shown effective for the treatment of many conditions, and may end up being effective in the treatment of others as the use of laser increases. However, when  Click for source  is used caution should be exercised and attention should be paid to the conditions under which laser could be harmful to avoid negative effects.