Regenerate tissue, reduce pain, and improve mobility with...
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy
Our medical center is among the first in Northern Arizona to specialize in deep tissue laser therapy bringing this revolutionary treatment to our patients. Deep tissue laser therapy, aka “low level laser therapy,” or “photobiomodulation,” is an incredibly effective low-cost and non-invasive FDA approved treatment. Our clinic uses a class IV laser device by Lightforce to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions as well as accelerate post-activity recovery. Our physicians use it to relieve pain, heal wounds, reduce inflammation, regenerate tissue, improve brain performance, and so much more. By improving function and mobility we routinely see patients use less pain medications and avoid surgery. There are currently more than 3,500 published peer reviewed articles worldwide proving the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy with no reports of any negative side effects.
- Revolutionary non-invasive pain control which can reduce need for NSAIDs and opioids.
- Increase rate of recovery from injury and reduce the need for orthopedic surgery.
- Valuable tool for pre- and post-surgical patients.
- Recover faster from physical activity – skiing, golfing, running, football, etc.
At Aspen Integrative Medical Center, Paul Despres, NMD specializes in laser therapy and has seen remarkable treatment results. It’s indeed a revolutionary treatment that everyone should try. Call our office today to try it yourself or ask us further questions.
What are the health benefits of deep tissue laser therapy?
Peer reviewed research supports 630-640nm red light and 808nm infrared light as optimal wavelengths. Our Lightforce XPi laser includes 980nm and has the following health benefits:
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- Reduces pain and inflammation – decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines and swelling in bruised/inflamed joints for enhanced joint mobility
- Increases muscle regeneration and reduces muscle atrophy
- Increases metabolic activity – via great output of enzymes, oxygen, and ATP.
- Faster wound healing from injury and surgery – stimulates fibroblast and collagen synthesis in damaged tissue. Typically see rate of recovery increase by 30%.
- Decrease scar tissue formation
- Rapid cell and DNA repair – accelerates cellular reproduction and growth
- Broadly antimicrobial – acute and chronic infections
- Stimulates nerve function and growth
- Promotes proliferation of skin growth
- Increases circulation and blood flow – via stimulating vasodilation
- Increases enzyme activity
- Stimulates antioxidant pathways
- Activates stem cells
What conditions can benefit from deep tissue laser therapy?
Research has shown deep tissue laser therapy to be helpful in almost every tissue of the human body including brain, muscle, bone, cartilage and ligaments. It is especially indicated for any condition with pain, inflammation, and need for tissue repair. Common conditions treated with laser therapy:
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- Acute and chronic joint problems such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ligament & tendon injuries, chrondomalacial patella, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff disease
- Soft tissue conditions such as sprains, strains, haematomas, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, capsulitis, bursitis, plantarfasciitis, TMJ, epicondylitis
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Brain injuries such as traumatic brain injury, concussions
- Chronic fatigue and brain fog
- Wounds such as burns, open wounds, pressure sores, post surgical healing, ulcers, diabetic ulcerations
- Fractures such as non union, small bone, etc.
- Acute and chronic inflammatory conditions
- Spinal conditions such as disc injures, herniated disc, bulging disc, etc.
- Nerve impingement disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, sciatica
- Neurological pain conditions such as metatarsalgia, trigeminal neuralgia, neuropathy, brachial neuralgia
- Acute and chronic pain syndromes like fibromyalgia
- Headaches and migraines
- Neurodegenerative conditions such as early onset dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s
- Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne vulgaris, roseacea, herpes, shingles, dermatitis
- Chronic infections such as Lyme disease and other tick-borne co-infections, HIV, Hepatitis, Herpes, Shingles, Candida, and EBV.
- Lung conditions such as fibrosis, infection
- Pigmentary disorders such as vitiligo
- Chronic bladder conditions like interstitial cystitis
- Lymphedema
- Bites
- And much more
Laser therapy is also helpful for:
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- Body recovery such as after exercise or an athletic event
- Anti-aging
- Improving mood such as drug resistant depression
- And much more
Why should you try deep tissue laser therapy?
- IT WORKS
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- The #1 reason you will love laser therapy? It works! When you are suffering from a painful injury or condition, laser therapy can provide powerful pain relief, promote tissue repair, and reduce swelling– even when other therapies have failed.
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- IT’S FAST
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- Laser therapy treatments are very fast – typically lasting between 4-7 minutes, depending on the size of the area treated. The results are often fast too, with many patients reporting pain relief and improved range of motion after the very first treatment.
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- IT LASTS
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- The therapeutic benefits of laser therapy extend far beyond the treatment itself. After each treatment, patients can expect notable pain relief, with the effects lasting longer after each treatment.
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- IT’S SAFE
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- Laser therapy can be used on most patients with minimal contraindications. With over 1 million treatments performed worldwide each month, it offers a safe alternative to opioid pain killers and surgical intervention in many cases.
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- IT’S PROVEN
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- There is a significant body of evidence supporting the use of laser therapy as both an adjunct and a standalone treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. From head to toe, researchers have concluded that laser therapy is effective for reducing pain, increasing range of motion and improving overall quality of life for patients suffering from many common and difficult-to-treat conditions
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Are all lasers the same?
NOT AT ALL! Don’t be fooled by a variety of “laser” or “red light” products available online for home use or what is offered by other health care providers. Dr. Paul Despres has reviewed the research thoroughly and has found the Lightforce XLi is the most effective laser device available for several reasons.
- First, the Lightforce XLi is a class IV FDA approved device emitting energy in the visible and near-infrared spectrum at wavelengths of 810 nm and 980 nm. Infrared light can penetrate MUCH deeper into the body than red light and these specific wavelengths have the most medical research showing exceptional therapeutic benefits.
- Secondly, the Lightforce XLi can deliver up to 40 watts of power. This allows it to penetrate deeper into the body, provide optimal energy absorption (joules/cm2), and be an exceptionally quick treatment. There is no product available over the counter that compares to this degree of power and design. Most red light devices say they offer similar wavelengths, but it is just scattered photons of energy that aren’t easily absorbed into the body.
Important: The Lightforce laser we use is a class IV device and is not considered a “cold laser” because it can emit more than 500 mW. It is more correct to call it a “hot laser.” Terminology related to laser usage can be quite confusing. “Low level laser therapy”, “Cold Laser”, “laser therapy”, etc. are often used incorrectly and are generally misleading. It is safer to use the terms photobiomodulation or therapeutic laser or laser therapy.
So how does deep tissue laser stimulate cellular changes?
Deep tissue laser therapy emits non-ionizing electromagnetic energy (photons) to trigger photochemical changes within cellular structures. Mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell) have photon receptors on their inner mitochondrial membrane which up-regulates ATP production, which is the energy currency of the cell. The increase in energy stimulates many of the body’s natural healing mechanisms to restore cellular and tissue function. It also increases nitric oxide production and and reactive oxygen species.
At Aspen, we apply either low-level red, near-infrared, or ultra-violet light to different parts of the body to accomplish our treatment goals. Our lasers of choice are the LightForce XPi (class IV) and Avant LZ30-Z (class IIIB) because it allows us to get deep into the tissue, select a specific healing wavelength, and use pulsation frequency based on the area of the body we are treating. Each wavelength and frequency can activate different cell types simultaneously. Therefore, our physicians can treat pain, inflammation, tissue repair, lymphatics, and immune system all at the same time.
How is deep tissue laser therapy applied to the body?
Deep tissue laser therapy treatments must be administered directly to skin, as clothing or topical dressings interfere with delivering light to tissues beneath the skin. Treatment can be done over implanted hardware and joint replacements without concern.
What does deep tissue laser therapy feel like?
Patients feel a soothing warmth as the therapy is administered. Many patients receiving LightForce Therapy Laser treatments report enjoying the experience, especially when the massage ball treatment head is used to deliver what is often referred to as a “laser massage.”
Patients receiving treatments with higher-power lasers also frequently report a rapid decrease in pain. For someone suffering from chronic pain, this effect can be particularly pronounced.
There is never any pain or discomfort with treatment.
How long is a treatment?
The frequency, dose, and length of treatment is always individualized to the patient’s particular clinical needs. With LightForce lasers, treatments are quick, usually 5-10 minutes, depending on the size, depth, and chronicity of the condition being treated. High-power lasers are able to deliver a lot of energy in a small amount of time, allowing therapeutic dosages to be achieved quickly.
How often and how many treatments will you need?
The number and frequency of treatments will depend on your particular concern. Dr. Despres will develop specific plans of care based on your diagnosis and the tissues that are involved.
Dr. Despres typically recommends laser therapy at least 2 times per week for 3-5 weeks. Reduction in pain and inflammation is typically felt after 1 treatment, but generally patients see best results after 3 to 5 treatments. Chronic conditions often require several treatments before a beneficial effect is achieved. Deeper tissues may require multiple treatments before significant benefits are derived. If no benefit is derived after 6-10 treatments, then the patient’s options need to be reviewed considering the condition and response.
Occasionally, a patient can experience a tingling sensation or soreness due to increased blood flow. In these instances, it is recommended to wait until the soreness subsides before continuing with additional treatments.
What are the contraindications to treatment?
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- Treatment over abdominal/lumbopelvic areas in pregnant females
- Epiphyseal lines in children
- Over a pacemaker or another implanted device
- Over the thyroid, ovaries, testes
- Patients who are taking drugs that have heat/light sensitive contraindications
- Over cancer
- Having had a steroid injection within the last 7 days
“I saw Dr. Paul for my knee injury. He did laser twice and it helped immensely with pain and healing! Dr. Paul has a wonderful demeanor with patients…I recommend the clinic for all health needs and injuries.” ~S.M.
Testimonial from a recent patient:
“I recently injured my thumb playing volleyball and I heard Aspen just got a new laser that could help with inflammation and pain. Prior to treatment my finger was visually red, swollen and I could barely move it. They fit me right into their schedule to get some treatment on it – within 24 hours after the laser, my finger has substantially reduced in redness, swelling, and overall pain! I would highly recommend trying this for anything related to pain or inflammation!”
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Laser therapy is a medical treatment that uses light to stimulate a process called photobiomodulation (PBM). During PBM, photons enter the tissue and trigger a biological cascade of events that leads to an increase in cellular metabolism, which can decrease pain and inflammation and accelerate the healing process.
