Low-Level Laser Therapy

What is Low-Level Laser Therapy?

Low-level laser therapy is a method of alternative medicine that uses laser light at low levels or near-infrared light. The light is applied to the body’s surface skin to decrease pain or inflammation, promote wound, nerve, and tissue healing, or prevent tissue damage. This is much different than the high-level lasers that we know for surgical procedures to cut and destroy unhealthy tissue.

What is the proposed mechanism behind low-level laser therapy?

Low-level laser therapy is said to work through a photochemical effect, which also occurs with plants’ photosynthesis. When cells inside tissue are stressed via injury and disease, the mitochondria (place inside a cell where metabolism occurs) produces nitric oxide, which is harmful to the cell. Nitric oxide displaces oxygen from cells, causing inflammation or cell death. When tissues absorb the light from the low-level laser therapy, the nitric oxide is irreversibly split, allowing oxygen back into the cells and increasing the tissue’s oxygenation. Cell metabolism and mitochondria function is restored, increasing the health of the tissue. Light absorption is also said to increase cell proliferation and migration (regeneration) and modulate growth factors and inflammatory mediators.

Does low-level laser therapy work?

Research has not always supported low-level lasers’ effectiveness, but this may be related to the need for particular parameters in the low-level laser treatment to be effective.
Some studies find this treatment intervention more beneficial than placebo. It’s suggested that a large number of illumination parameters (wavelength, fluence, power density, pulse structure, and treatment timing) need to be met to achieve this positive outcome.

Business Hours

Mon, Wed – Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tue: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Sun: Closed
Same-Day Appointments

308 Patrick Street PlazaCharleston , WV 25387
(304) 344-9077

Additional Information

What Insurance do you accept?

We accept the following insurance:

• Aetna
• Aetna Coventry
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Benefit Assistance
• Care First
• Flume
• Freedom Blue
• Humana
• Meritain
• UMR
• Brickstreet Encova Worker’s Compensation.
• We also accept all major credit cards and cash patients.

Is chiropractic treatment safe?

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest nondrug, noninvasive forms of health care available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?

Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. In the case of children, it is very gentle.

Is chiropractic treatment safe during pregnancy?

Yes, chiropractic care is a safe and effective method of dealing with the changing stressors to the body during pregnancy. Pregnant women often experience low back and pelvic/hip issues due to many factors including ligaments loosening in preparation of child birth and a change i their center of gravity. Extra care is taken with these patients as joints become hypermobile or move too much or very easily.

Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?

The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.