Call Us - Hunt Club613-224-2077 Call Us - Kanata343-309-9654 Book Online Today Cold laser therapy Ottawa Contact us today to schedule an appointment Name* Email* Phone* Choose location*West Hunt ClubKanata Choose service*PhysiotherapyChiropractorAcupunctureMassage TherapyDietitianYogaCold PlungeInfrared SaunaIV Therapy Message* Input this code: Thank you for requesting an appointment We usually respond within one business day. If you’ve messaged us outside of normal business hours, we will be happy to help you once we’re back. Please note that no bookings are final until we have reserved a time slot using your credit card. Hours of operation Monday to Thursday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: Appointment only Sunday: Closed Please be aware of our cancellation policy. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) LLLT is a light therapy that uses lasers to help improve tissue repair while reducing pain and inflammation wherever the beam is applied. It’s a non-invasive, pain-free treatment for musculoskeletal conditions that emits no heat, sound, or vibration, and is safe, effective, and virtually side-effect free. Usually administered by a physiotherapist, treatments take about 10–15 minutes and should be applied two or more times a week. LLLT is used to: Treat chronic injuries Reduce pain and inflammation Improve the effectiveness of complementary treatments Accelerate repair and promote regeneration of both tissue and nerves What can low level lasertherapy treat? LLLT has been shown to provide significant effects for pain relief, accelerated tissue repair and regeneration, and reduction of pain and inflammation. It can help in conditions such as: Plantar fasciitis Hip or shoulder bursitis Shoulder impingements Lymphedema symptoms Tendonitis and tennis elbow Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis Low back disc degeneration, disc herniation and sciatica How does LLLT work? The red and near-infrared light commonly used in LLLT can be produced by laser or high intensity LEDs. The strength is fairly low compared to similar devices (like surgical lasers) and there is no heating effect. Hot lasers in the medical world are used for surgical precision while the cold lasers we use in our physiotherapy clinic are used for healing precision. When the laser is applied to the tissue, an interaction between your cells and the photons from the laser takes place — a photochemical reaction. The cold laser photons enter the tissue, alter cell membrane permeability, and at the cellular level are absorbed in the mitochondria of the cell creating physiological changes. Benefits of LLLT In addition to the benefits outlined above, studies have shown LLLT to help with: Pain reduction — both chronic and acute Accelerating cellular reproduction and growth Faster wound healing — the laser stimulates fibroblast development in damaged tissue and reduces recovery time Increased metabolic activity — it helps the body increase output of specific enzymes, provide more oxygen to blood cells and a more effective immune response Reduced formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns, or after surgery Anti-inflammatory action — reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints and improves joint mobility Increased vascular activity — stimulates lymph and blood circulation so the affected tissue has the best possible circulation Stimulated nerve function — slow recovery of nerve function in damaged tissue can result in “dead” limbs or numb areas. LLLT speeds the process of nerve cell reconnection to bring the numb areas back to life The improved nerve function from laser therapy results in better, more efficient contraction and relaxation of your muscle fibre Does LLLT have side effects? Because LLLT is as safe as it is effective, there are no known long-term side effects of this form of light therapy. Other than not shining the laser’s red or infrared light directly into your eyes, there are no known red flags or adverse side effects from using LLLT. Because the light emitted does not cause your skin to burn, there is no risk of pain except under certain conditions. What are the contraindications? There are people with certain health conditions or disorders that should speak to their doctor before using LLLT, as there could be some risks. Low-level laser therapy should generally not be used over: Thyroid Tattoos Malignant tumours — with a physician’s permission, LLLT is commonly used to treat cancer side effects, or for pain relief during the final terminal stage of the illness Developing foetuses — while there’s no evidence to suggest that LLLT during pregnancy is harmful, there isn’t enough research and evidence yet to suggest otherwise Eyes — just as you shouldn’t look directly into the sun, you shouldn’t shine a laser directly into your eyes. You’ll be given a pair of tinted safety glasses to wear during your LLLT session Contact us today to schedule an appointment Contact us today Frequently asked questions Is cold laser therapy painful? LLLT is a pain-free treatment. You may feel a slight warming sensation in the area the laser is applied or slight tingling due to nerves being stimulated — but this will disappear shortly after your treatment is completed. Am I required to follow any specific protocols prior to treatment? You do not need to do any prepping for this treatment. It is a quick, non-invasive and drug-free form of treatment. What is cold laser therapy used for? Cold laser treatments can be used in many different ways. They can be used on problem areas to help reduce chronic pain, while treating postoperative patients in order to help them recover more quickly, reduce inflammation, and increase blood flow. Cold lasers may also be used for any sprains and strains, whiplash, concussion, muscle tears, arthritis, scar tissue, reducing scar formation, and muscle knots. Please ask one of our experienced staff members if cold laser therapy is right for you and your condition. How does cold laser therapy help? Cold laser therapy reduces pain and inflammation and increases blood flow, allowing injured areas to heal. Cold laser treatments also help regulate the immune system and stimulate nerve tissues to function at their best. Cold laser therapy has been shown to generate new, healthy cells within soft tissue to promote wound healing with less scarring, and potentially increase healing time by up to 40%. How does a cold laser treatment work? We wipe down the area to be treated with alcohol to remove excessive skin oil (the light may reflect off this oil and not fully penetrate). We then apply two circular laser lights to the affected area for several minutes. Then, a handheld laser is used to follow up for 30 seconds on each specific point in the tissue that requires it. The larger circular laser lights penetrate into the tissue at a shallower depth, but treat a wider surface area, while the handheld laser is more precise but penetrates deeper into the affected tissue. How often should I receive cold laser treatments? We typically recommend 2–3 treatments a week. The total number of sessions will depend on the condition it is being used for, along with other health factors — every person’s health is different. For example, if a young healthy adult experiences a muscle tear (which is an acute condition) they would likely only require 2–3 laser treatments weekly for approximately 4 weeks. In contrast, an elderly patient with arthritis (a chronic condition) may require a complete treatment of up to 12 weeks or more. How quickly will I see results? You’ll feel some immediate relief after your treatment, but it’s not uncommon to experience a bit of discomfort or slight pain (due to nerves being stimulated) for several hours after treatment. It could take anywhere from 3–8 consistent treatments (while also following the rest of your therapist’s recommendations) before you begin to experience full results. Who will perform laser therapy on me? At Elysian Wellness, either a registered physiotherapist or chiropractic physician will perform your cold laser therapy treatments. Can I receive laser therapy by itself as a treatment? After your initial assessment, you can either continue with 15- to 30-minute cold laser sessions (charged as a regular physiotherapy or chiropractic appointment), or you may include it as an additional part of your treatment for a small additional fee. Is cold laser therapy covered by my insurer? If you have coverage for physiotherapy or chiropractic care under your policy, cold laser therapy could be covered by your extended health insurer. You will still be subject to the rules and limitations surrounding your policy, but it is a covered service by most insurers.