Laser Therapy for Back Pain
Back pain can cause devastating effects on your daily life, limiting your mobility and making it difficult to carry out your tasks. Sometimes, this pain may resolve itself, but in some cases, it can persist and become chronic. In this instance, getting proper treatment is necessary to prevent chronic pain and disability.
Fortunately, physical therapy in Towne Lake offers laser therapy as an effective treatment for back pain. This article explores how laser therapy works for back pain and when you should visit your therapist for treatment.
What Are The Causes Of Back Pain?
Back pain may result from several causes, including;
- Poor posture
- Lack of exercise
- Muscle sprains or strains
- Herniated disc
- Sciatica
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Spinal stenosis
When Do You Need Treatment For Back Pain?
Although mild back pain may resolve itself, severe cases may become chronic and lead to disability. You should visit your doctor if you experience the following accompanying symptoms;
- Pain and numbness down the legs
- Persistent back pain when lying down
- Weakness
- Fever
- Limited mobility
How Does Laser Therapy Work for Back Pain?
Laser therapy is a safe treatment that uses specific light wavelengths to penetrate tissues and speed healing. Non-thermal photons of light from the laser will pass through your skin layers to activate your body’s natural healing process. This treatment is used for several conditions, including back pain.
During treatment, your therapist will administer a laser to the painful region using a handheld device, usually the size of a flashlight. Depending on the severity of your injury and the strength of the laser unit, the laser may be applied for a few seconds to several minutes.
What Types Of Laser Therapy Are Used In Physical Therapy?
The types of lasers used in laser therapy are Class 3 and Class 4 lasers. Class 3 lasers, known as cold lasers, have less than 500MW power. This type of laser treatment is known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT). On the other hand, Class 4 lasers have more than 500MW power, and the treatment is known as high-power laser therapy (HPLT).
When you visit your physical therapist for treatment, they create a care plan and tell you the best laser therapy for your back pain. The best laser therapy for back pain in Towne Lake Woodstock, GA, will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your condition, your skin tone, and your body type.
Benefits Of Laser Therapy For Back Pain
Laser therapy offers several benefits for back pain, including;
- Non-invasiveness
- Short recovery time
- Drug-free treatment
- Pain relief
- Improved function
- Improved range of motion
- Reduced risk of disability
- Reduced inflammation
- Muscle relaxation
When Should You Not Use Laser Therapy for Back Pain?
Although laser therapy can help treat back pain, it is not suitable for everyone. For instance, if you are pregnant, your physical therapist may not recommend the treatment because the effects of laser on unborn children are not known. In addition, if you have suspicious skin lesions or carcinoma, you may not qualify for laser therapy.
How Many Laser Therapy Sessions Do You Need?
Your physical therapist will create a care plan that may include multiple sessions of laser therapy depending on the severity of your condition. Generally, more chronic back pain requires multiple sessions. You may feel relief after your first two treatments but need more for total healing.
What Should You Do After A Laser Therapy Session?
Although laser therapy for back pain is noninvasive, you still need to rest after the treatment. You may experience swelling and inflammation at the treatment site. Your physical therapist may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers and ice therapy. It is also advisable to clean the area with water and avoid picking the scabs.
Can Laser Therapy Make Pain Worse?
Laser therapy aims to relieve back pain. However, in some cases, your pain may worsen within the first 6 to 24 hours after a treatment session. This is because, after a treatment session with lasers, the light penetrates your tissues to start healing, which can result in mild inflammation and pain.
Worsening back pain after a laser therapy session is more likely to occur in people with chronic health problems or with highly sensitive nerves. Fortunately, this pain should subside within a few days.
Conclusion
Laser therapy is a non-invasive and drug-free treatment for treating back pain. Although the treatment is safe, you may not qualify, especially if you are pregnant. That is why you should visit your physical therapist at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers - Towne Lake for a diagnosis. They will create a treatment plan to address your condition and help you heal properly.