Low power laser devices are used in electrotherapy to treat diseases, in order to heal tissues faster, fight pain and inflammation.
Usually the laser is used with a pen-shaped tip that is applied over the area you want to treat in a specific way, but there is also another head that allows the use of the laser in the form of a scan over the area to be treated. Another type of laser that can also be used for aesthetic purposes, are the alexandrite laser, and the fractional CO2 laser, for example.
To complement the treatment with the low power laser, the use of other electrotherapeutic resources, stretching exercises, strengthening and manual techniques are generally indicated, according to the need.
What is it for
Low power laser treatment is recommended in the following situations:
- Chronic pain; Decubitus ulcer; Regeneration and healing of chronic wounds; Rheumatoid arthritis; Osteoarthritis; Joint pain; Myofascial pain; Lateral epicondylitis; Changes involving peripheral nerves.
The laser is capable of promoting tissue regeneration, including motor neurons and therefore can be used to treat sciatic nerve compression, achieving good results.
How to use laser in physiotherapy
The usual dosage of the AsGa, He-Ne or diode laser is 4 to 8 J / cm2, and it is necessary to touch the laser with the skin with firm pressure on the area to be treated. laser at key points, such as trigger point or acupuncture points to perform laser and acupressure therapy, this being a possible alternative to traditional acupuncture needles.
When it is not possible to touch the laser pen on the region to be treated, as is the case in the middle region of the decubitus ulcer, an adapter must be placed and a distance of 0.5 cm must be maintained from the region to be treated, and use the pen on the edges of the fabric. The distance between the firing sites should be 1-2 cm, and each laser shot should be 1 J per point, or about 10 J / cm2.
In the case of muscle injuries, as in physical exercise, higher doses can be used, with a maximum of 30 J / cm2 and in the first 4 days of the injury, the laser can be used 2-3 times a day, without being excessive. After this period, the use of the laser and its intensity can be reduced to the usual 4-8 J / cm2.
It is necessary to use goggles both in the physiotherapist and in the patient during all use of the equipment.
When it is contraindicated
The use of low power laser is contraindicated for direct application on the eyes (open or closed) and also in case of:
- cancer or suspected cancer; on the uterus during pregnancy; open wound or bleeding because it can promote vasodilation worsening bleeding; when the patient is unreliable or has a mental disability; on top of the cardiac region in people with cardiac disorders, in people who have cutaneous hypersensitivity or who take photosensitizing drugs, in case of epilepsy, because it can trigger an epileptic seizure.
Although it is not an absolute contraindication, it is also not recommended to use the laser in regions with altered sensitivity.
