Every year in the U.S., approximately 8.6 million people experience sports-related injuries. From youth athletes to Olympic hopefuls, injuries don’t discriminate, and people of all levels face them from time to time.

Are you currently dealing with a sports injury or chronic, nagging pain that won’t subside no matter how much ice and heat you apply to it? If so, it may be time to try some different treatment modalities, such as deep tissue laser therapy.

Never heard of this treatment before? Read on to learn more about it and the benefits it can offer you.

What is Deep Tissue Laser Therapy?

Deep tissue laser therapy is a clinically-backed treatment for those suffering from pain and inflammation.

It’s a non-invasive procedure that uses top-notch laser technology to penetrate the deep tissues of the body and get to the root of what’s causing your pain. With the use of laser technology, practitioners can stimulate cellular activity in the body and speed up the healing process.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Laser Therapy

There are many reasons why someone might want to try laser therapy over (or in conjunction with) other treatment options. Here are some of the greatest benefits this type of therapy has to offer:

Good for Acute and Chronic Pain

One of the many great things about deep tissue laser therapy is that it works for all kinds of pain.

It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with an acute ankle sprain from a tough soccer game or long-term ankle soreness and inflammation that’s holding you back on the field. Either way, you’ll likely notice improvements when you start getting laser therapy treatments.

No Side Effects

Laser therapy doesn’t come with any side effects, either.

Unlike a lot of treatments, which can often make symptoms worse before they get better (or just make symptoms worse, period), laser therapy expedites the healing process and doesn’t cause any discomfort. The positive effects of laser therapy last for quite a while, too. After undergoing a few treatments, many people find that their body heals itself and they don’t experience much (if any) lingering pain.

Customizable Treatments

Laser therapy treatments are not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. When you decide to undergo laser therapy, you’ll work with your practitioner to create a plan that works best for your specific symptoms.

Your practitioner will take a holistic approach to your healing and will factor in any other issues that may contribute to your pain before they begin treatment. This will help you to see better, longer-lasting results.

Pain-Free Treatment

Laser therapy treatment isn’t just side effect-free, it’s also pain-free. You won’t have to worry about pain or discomfort during the treatment process. In fact, many people find it to be soothing and even relaxing.

Drug-Free Treatment

When you undergo laser therapy, there’s no need to rely on harsh, potentially habit-forming painkillers.

The lasers, as well as your body’s own innate healing mechanisms, work to minimize your pain and discomfort and lessen your need to rely on medication to dull your symptoms.

If you’re fed up with painkillers, or if you’re concerned about their side effects and don’t want to take them at all, you definitely ought to consider giving laser therapy a try.

Fast Relief

Laser therapy provides relief very quickly, too. The treatments themselves are quite fast, and most people see results within a short time frame.

You don’t have to wait for several weeks or months before you see a difference. You’ll likely start to see and feel improvements after just a few treatments. This means you can get back to your sport of choice sooner and start training at a higher level before you know it.

Who Should Try Laser Therapy?

Many people can benefit from laser therapy.

It’s very popular among athletes, though, as they need to get back to training as soon as possible after an injury occurs and often suffer from chronic inflammation. You don’t have to be an athlete to make use of this treatment, though.

If you’re dealing with any of the following ailments or injuries, you might be able to find relief from laser therapy:

• Sprains

• Strains

• Neck pain

• Shoulder pain

• Low back pain

• Knee pain

• Ankle pain

• Foot pain

• Acute sports injuries

• Disc issues (herniated discs, bulging discs, etc.)

• Sciatic nerve pain

• Tendonitis

• Tendonosis

Laser therapy can also be a good complement to other forms of post-surgery rehabilitation to help you get back on your feet faster.

What to Expect from Laser Therapy

Going in for your first laser therapy treatment can be a bit intimidating. The more you know about the procedure, though, the less nervous you’re likely to be.

Everyone’s experience is a little different, of course. However, you should not feel any pain while undergoing laser therapy treatments.

You’ll notice a warm sensation when the laser begins to penetrate the skin. Most people find that sensation soothing, though, rather than uncomfortable.

The whole treatment will take place in five to ten minutes in most cases. There’s no downtime afterward, either, so you can go on with your regular routine as planned.

Sometimes, people notice relief right away after receiving laser therapy treatments. In most cases, though, it takes three to five treatments for you to notice significant improvements.

Keep in mind, too, that the body continues to heal for up to 24 hours after the treatment takes place, so you might notice improvements shortly after your treatment is finished.

Try Deep Tissue Laser Therapy Today

Now that you know more about deep tissue laser therapy, does it seem like a good fit for you?

If you struggle with chronic pain or inflammation, it might a great option to minimize your pain and improve your range of motion and athletic performance.

Are you interested in giving deep tissue laser therapy a try? If so, contact us today at Carolina Active Health Chiropractic to schedule an appointment.

In addition to laser therapy, we also offer a variety of other treatment options, including chiropractic care, active release therapy, and functional rehabilitation. No matter what kind of injury you’re facing, we’re here to help.