So, what beneficial impacts does laser have?

Relieving pain

The pain-relieving effect of laser therapy is based on several biological processes:

1. it blocks the transmission of pain signals between the injured body part and the brain. It reduces nerve sensitivity and significantly reduces the sensation of pain.
2. reduces inflammation and swelling in the injured body part. These do not “only” have a role in relieving pain, but also promote healing.
3. increases the production and release of endorphins and enkephalins, which are natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body, thereby reducing the sensation of pain.

Improving neural function

1. After injury, laser therapy speeds up the regeneration of nerve connections, reducing the time it takes for nerves to heal.
2. In addition, it also increases the strength of signals transmitted through nerve fibres, which generally improves nerve and muscle function.

These two processes explain why laser therapy is so effective in relieving the symptoms of nerve injuries (sharp pain, numbness, tingling, burning sensations).

Reducing inflammation and swelling

Laser therapy dilates small arteries and lymphatic vessels. This increased vasodilatation allows the fluid that causes swelling (oedema) to be effectively removed from the damaged areas. The dilation of the lymphatic vessels also improves lymphatic circulation, which aids this vital healing process. This biological mechanism explains why bruising heals so quickly with laser therapy.

Faster healing of wounds and injuries

Laser therapy also stimulates the production of fibroblasts, which are necessary building blocks for collagen production. Collagen is an essential protein that is vital for the regeneration of old tissue and the healing of damaged tissue. Laser therapy is highly effective in the treatment of open wounds and burns because of its collagen production enhancing effect.

Reducing excessive scar tissue formation

Laser therapy reduces the formation of excessive scar tissue (fibrous connective tissue) after cuts, burns and surgery by improving blood supply to the damaged area, facilitating the efficient removal of waste products and therefore speeding up the healing process. Faster healing always results in less scar tissue formation.

Improving blood and lymph circulation

Soft laser therapy significantly promotes the formation of new capillaries (tiny blood vessels) in damaged tissue. More capillaries can deliver more blood to the damaged areas, which speeds up healing and regeneration, so wounds heal faster, and scarring is reduced.

Laser radiation also has a profound effect on individual blood cells. Laser light significantly increases the oxygen and nutrient carrying capacity of red blood cells. This allows increased energy production, metabolism and thus regeneration of the cells and more efficient production of certain enzymes. The effects are felt throughout the body and not just in the areas treated with laser light.

Improving immune processes

Photons of laser light are directly absorbed by chromophores (colour-carrying molecular enzymes in cells), which are found in most cells in our body. The absorption of laser light activates certain enzyme processes that trigger the production of ATP. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the single most important form of energy that powers all chemical reactions in every cell of the body. The consequence of increased energy production is faster, more efficient functioning and regeneration, especially for immune system-specific cells. This increased efficiency helps the immune system to fight unwanted microbes and pathogens.