Low Level Laser Therapy

Low level laser therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions safely and effectively. Wherever there is tissue damage, infection, or a low energy state, the laser can be used to reverse the dysfunction. In a nutshell, laser therapy shuts down inflammation, improves cellular energy production and mitochondrial biogenesis (new mitochondrial production), and promotes the healing of tissues and organs.

This means that it is a powerful therapy when used alone, or as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

The process is simple, we program the laser with tissue-specific frequencies, and turn it on. Some of the ways we have used the laser in the office include:

1) Directly over organs, even the brain (the laser will penetrate bone and tissue and reach the organ, even through clothing)
2) Over the sinuses / throat to treat upper respiratory infections
3) On the teeth or gums, especially when treating subclinical infections under root canals
4) On scar tissue of any type, to help soften and remodel it
5) Directly along the spine, to reduce stiffness, promote disc healing, and improve communication between the nervous system and the organs
6) Over the intestinal tract to reduce inflammation, promote healing, balance the microbiome, and improve bowel function.

Clinical research has shown these effects:

➤  Increase ATP production by activating cytochrome C oxidase (the rate-limiting step in energy production)- Increases the number of mitochondria in the cells (mitochondrial biogenesis), speeding metabolism
➤  Suppresses inflammation
➤  Increases antioxidant production, reducing free radical damage
➤  Increases stem cell production
➤  Stimulates the repair / regeneration of damaged cells
➤  Decreases stress hormones and increases Human Growth Hormone
➤  Increases levels of the body's natural opioids, reducing pain
➤  Turns on the genes associated with cell and DNA repair, directly opposing the aging process
➤  Causes fat cells to release their stored fat into the blood stream so that it can be burned
➤  Improves blood flow and circulation of fluid

Brain-Specific Effects Include:

➤  Decreases oxidative stress in the brain
➤  prevents neuronal death by improving cell membrane stability and resistance to depolarization (excitotoxicity)
➤  Increases growth factors for neurons, including BDNF (Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor) and NGF (Nerve Growth Factor)
➤  Downregulates glial priming (the brain's immune cells which start inflammation)
➤  Decreases amyloid-beta burden (implicated in Alzheimer's disease)
➤  Restores the neuron's ability to transmit information (which can be affected by abnormal protein metabolism aka tau phosphorylation)

If you are interested in looking deeper into some of the research that has been done on laser therapy, please visit: https://www.erchonia.com/research-articles/

➤ How long before I start to see results: Most patients feel better after their first treatment, especially mentally. Healing happens from the top - down, inside - out, and in the reverse order of appearance of symptoms.

➤ Does it Hurt? Low level laser therapy is non-heating, so it is not uncomfortable at all. The therapeutic part of the treatment is in the wavelength, not the power output.

➤ Is it safe to use over tattoos? Yes, the power output is low enough that it won't heat the metal in tattoo inks.