Laser and Winback Therapy
Introduction
Adapted from
www.physio-pedia.com
Effects of LLLT
Reduction of inflammation: It can occur within hours to days.
● Pain relief
● Accelerated tissue regeneration: LLLT stimulates cell proliferation of fibroblasts
keratinocytes endothelial cells and lymphocytes.
In physiotherapy LLLT is use for pain relief, accelerated tissue regeneration
and reduction of inflammation.
Conditions that are treated include
● Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip and ankle
● Rheumatoid arthritis
● TMD ,
● Shoulder impingement syndromes
● Hip or shoulder bursitis
● Low back disc degeneration
● Disc herniation
● Sciatica
● neuropathic pain.
● Tendonitis
● Tennis elbow
● Plantar fasciitis
● Reduction of volume and pain in lymphedema[
Contraindications
● Eyes: Do not aim laser beams into the eyes and everyone present should
wear appropriate safety spectacles.
● Cancer: Do not treat over the site of any known primary carcinoma or
secondary metastasis unless the patient is undergoing chemotherapy
when LLLT can be used to reduce side effects such as mucositis. LLLT
however can be considered in terminally- ill cancer patients for palliative
relief.
● Pregnancy: Do not treat directly over the developing fetus.
● Epileptics: Be aware that low frequency pulsed visible light (<30Hz)
might trigger a seizure in photosensitive, epileptic patients. The adverse
effects of LLLT have been reported to be no different from those reported
by patients exposed to placebo devices in trials.
(conference of The North American Association for Laser Therapy in 2010)
Evidence
A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis found that LLLT is an effective
treatment modality to reduce pain in adult patients with musculoskeletal
disorders. They also noted that adherence to the World Association of Laser
Therapy (WALT) dosages improved effectiveness.[12]
A 2017 review titled “Effective treatment options for musculoskeletal pain in
primary care: A systematic overview of current evidence” concluded that the
evidence on effectiveness of laser therapy for shoulder pain or acute or chronic
neck pain was inconclusive. With regards to knee pain low level laser therapy
may confer added benefits to exercise and / or surgical treatment.
References
3. 1.0 1.1 Cotler HB, Chow RT, Hamblin MR, Carroll J. The Use of Low Level
Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain. MOJ Orthop Rheumatol
2015;2(5): 00068
4. ↑ Rehab Management Treating Pain with Low vs High-Power Lasers:
What is the Difference? Published on April 4, 2019 Available from:
http://www.rehabpub.com/2019/04/treating-pain-low-vs-high-power-l
asers-difference/ (last accessed 25.6.2019)
5. ↑ Frigo L, Fávero GM, Lima HJ, Maria DA, Bjordal JM, et al. Low-level
laser irradiation (InGaAlP-660 nm) increases fibroblast cell proliferation
and reduces cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Photomed Laser Surg
2010;28 Suppl 1: S151-S156.
6. ↑ Basso FG, Oliveira CF, Kurachi C, Hebling J, Costa CA. Biostimulatory
effect of low-level laser therapy on keratinocytes in vitro. Lasers Med Sci
2013 28(2): 367-374.
7. ↑ Szymanska J, Goralczyk K, Klawe JJ, Lukowicz M, Michalska M, et al.
Phototherapy with low-level laser influences the proliferation of
endothelial cells and vascular endothelial growth factor and
transforming growth factor-beta secretion. J Physiol Pharmacol
2013;64(3): 387-391.
8. ↑ Agaiby AD, Ghali LR, Wilson R, Dyson M. Laser modulation of
angiogenic factor production by T-lymphocytes. Lasers Surg. Med
2000;26(4): 357-363.
9. ↑ Moore P, Ridgway TD, Higbee RG, Howard EW, Lucroy MD. Effect of
wavelength on low-intensity laser irradiation-stimulated cell
proliferation in vitro. Lasers Surg Med 2005;36(1): 8-12.
10.↑ Cavalcanti MF, Silva UH, Leal-Junior EC, et.al.Comparative Study of
the Physiotherapeutic and Drug Protocol and Low-Level Laser
Irradiation in the Treatment of Pain Associated With
Temporomandibular Dysfunction. Photomed Laser Surg. 2016 Nov 29.
[Epub ahead of print]
11. ↑ Chen YT, Wang HH, Wang TJ, Li YC, Chen TJ. Early application of
low-level laser may reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75(3):572-7.
12. ↑ Smoot B, Chiavola-Larson L, Lee J, Manibusan H, Allen DD. Effect of
low-level laser therapy on pain and swelling in women with breast
cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J
Cancer Surviv. 2015;9(2):287-304.
13. ↑ Carati CJ, Anderson SN, Gannon BJ, Piller NB. Treatment of
postmastectomy lymphedema with low-level laser therapy: A double
blind, placebo-controlled trial. Cancer 2003;98(6): 1114-1122.
14. ↑ Clijsen R, Brunner A, Barbero M, Clarys P, Taeymans J. Effects of
low-level laser therapy on pain in patients with musculoskeletal
disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28145397/ (last accessed
25.6.2019)
15. ↑ Babatunde OO, Jordan JL, Van der Windt DA, Hill JC, Foster NE,
Protheroe J. Effective treatment options for musculoskeletal pain in
primary care: A systematic overview of current evidence. PloS one. 2017
Jun 22;12(6):e0178621. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5480856/ (last
accessed 24.6.2019)
Winback tecar therapy has three effects to accelerate rehabilitation.
It makes the plasma membrane permeable, stimulating intra- and extracellular exchanges.
Relieve pain
Inhibits the transmission of pain messages by saturating nociceptors. The result? An immediate & lasting pain relief enabling therapists to
work more smoothly et efficiently.
Study: Bretelle F, Fabre C, Golka M, Pauly V, Roth B, Bechadergue V, Blanc J. (2020) Capacitive-resistive radiofrequency therapy to treat
postpartum perinal pain: a randomized study. PLoS One, 15(4):e0231869.4
Restore movement
Increases temperature helping to release muscle tension and improve vascularization to make movement easier. Gain freedom and range of
motion.
Study: Lee H-r, Shim J-h, Oh D-w. (2017) Effects of high-frequency diathermy integrated into suboccipital release on tenderness and neck
mobility and disability in people with chronic tension-type headache. Physical Therapy Korea, 24(2):37-47
Boost metabolism
Stimulates intra and extracellular exchanges. The natural resistance of biological tissues increases, creating diathermy which is used by the
vascular/lymphatic system.
Study: Clijsen R, Leoni D, Schneebeli A, Cescon C, Soldini E, Li L, Barbero M. (2020) Does the application of Tecar therapy affect
temperature and perfusion of skin and muscle microcirculation? A pilot feasibility study on healthy subjects. J Altern Complement Med,
26(2):147-153.