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Laser Therapy is the New Frontier in Sports Performance and Reduced Recovery Time

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Increase Performance, Decrease Recovery Time, Reduce Pain –  Laser Therapy is the New Frontier in Sports Performance

For the last three years, Longueville Road Chiropractic Centre (LRCC) has been paving the way for sporting performance, recovery and pain modulation. Currently at the forefront of leading research, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has proven its effectiveness and power in enhancing performance and minimising tissue damage with results published in over 4000 articles in well-respected journals internationally, and one new paper daily is admitted to PubMed.

So what is LLLT?

LLLT is the application of low power laser beams, at three varying wavelengths, to enhance cellular function. This use of multiple wavelengths optimises absorption by saturating tissue levels and penetrating deeper.  This absorption of light wave triggers a series of physiological changes, modulating cellular metabolism, stimulating immunity, reducing inflammation, accelerating tissue healing and dampening pain perception.

LLLT is currently used by a number of leading researching institutions, space exploration programs and high performance sports teams including, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Kings. Research is presently under way with the Argentina Rugby Team.

How does it work?

The absorbed energy emitted by the light wavelengths stimulates a series of metabolic events that enhance the body’s natural process at a cellular level. This increases blood flow and thus oxygen and nutrient supply to tissue, reduces inflammation and pain, as well as stimulate tissue regeneration at a faster rate. By stimulating tissue granulation, fibroblast and collagen production, tissue regeneration and healing of injured tissue occurs more efficiently.

However, not only does this reduce recovery time, LLLT has been shown to enhance performance and muscle recovery as well as prevent injury. The increased release of ATP, the body’s primary energy supply, allows the athlete to work at a higher intensity for longer periods. As such the laser can be used throughout any stage of training; Preparation, Performance or Recovery.

How LLLT can help assist in Performance & Recovery

Preparation

Your training is intense, and happens over an extended period of time. Your body has to get stronger, faster, more agile as you peak for competition. Use laser before training to relieve any muscle-skeletal pain, reduce future muscle fatigue. The LLLT also has a protective effect on the muscles, minimizing oxidative damage and protecting against fatigue, as supported by the literature.

Performance

As an athlete you know how much a split second counts. Studies have shown improved performance by 20% (over placebo) during the activity and a noted increase in performance by 10-15% after 48 hours. Another study found that 80% of all pitchers were able to improve total pitch count (p<0.023) by 16% with one active laser session that lasted less than 5 minutes!

Recovery

You require your body to bounce back for the next session, often which is in as little as 24 hours, or in the case of cross fit less then an hour. Your next competition could be in less than an hour, or it could be a week or month away. LLLT provides powerful relief for acute issues such as spasms, strains and sprains, as well as more chronic repetitive stress.  The laser will speed up the recovery, reduce muscle fatigue and gain the strength and stamina to get to the next training session quicker, with studies showing 300% faster recovery (than a placebo).

Pain

Unfortunately pain is more often then not a component of any intense training program. LLLT provides natural relief by dampening substance P, the chemical controlling pain perception within us.

Low Level Laser Therapy = Legal Performance Enhancement.

LLLT effective in the treatment of:

Musculoskeletal pain (acute & chronic)                      Neuropathic pain

Migraine & headache                                                  Sports injury

Fatigue & Fibromyalgia                                              Wound healing

Depression, & Anxiety                                               Tennis & Golfers elbow

Achilles tendonitis                                                      Carpal tunnel

Fasciitis

And promising in the treatment of..

Tinnitus                                                                       Cardiovascular diseases

Diabetes                                                                      Degenerative conditions

Allergic diseases                                                         Inflammatory bowel diseases

 

 

 

 

Cold Laser Therapy

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How It Works When Cold Laser is placed over sick or injured cells, the light energy is absorbed. This stimulates the damaged cells to increase their energy production which is used to transform the damaged cells into healthy active cells. When an injury occurs, the sharp pain usually eases off and one can be left with a constant dull ache. The damaged cells are then replaced with scar tissue. If left untreated, the damaged tissue becomes harder and can ‘choke off’ the blood and lymph vessels. If the nerve tissue is damaged, wasting of the brain’s grey matter can occur (5-11% with patients with chronic back pain equivalent to 10-20 years of natural brain ageing).

Targeting Cold Laser  on scar tissue ‘softens’ fibriotic nodules of the scar tissue. This restores normal local circulation, allowing nerves to regenerate. Using Cold Laser over blood vessels has been shown to release more oxygen to damaged tissues. Cold Laser Therapy can stimulate parts of the brain to produce natural pain relievers (endorphins) and may activate the relaxation response improving total body blood flow. Applying Cold Laser therapy to your body’s lymphatic drainage system may move inflammation out and into the circulation. Not only can Cold Laser Therapy soften already formed scar tissue, it can reduce the formation of scar tissue!!

If you have only read the blue highlighted field of this article, you can understand how this is such an amazing advance in healing available and you could possibly understand why professional sports teams in the United States use Cold Laser as their ‘go to’ treatment. Also, when a small device can increase blood flow by 10%, many athletes are using it to enhance sports performance and it is drug free!

6000 research papers have already been submitted to PubMed and approximately 200 a year are added. Many of those research papers are a result of over 48 000 patient treatment cases. Research shows that a certain treatment plan/protocol has a greater treatment outcome. The treatment plan is the one we apply here at LRCC.

Catherine has been trained in the treatment protocol and use of Cold Laser. The decade rule usually applies for pain relief, in other words, if you are in your 50’s five treatments will be generally required. Tissue repair treatments follow this and will vary in treatment numbers according to the level of tissue injury.

Some Examples of What Cold Laser Therapy can do for You

  • Reduction of scar tissue in old and recent scars
  • Prevention of scar tissue formation in new injuries and post operatively
  • Reduces neck pain in acute and chronic cases
  • Significant relief and recovery from muscle soreness
  • Soothes knee osteoarthritis
  • Reduces swelling from ankle sprain
  • Relief from back and leg pain
  • Prevents Oral Muscositis (following effects of chemotherapy)

The laser we use is the Multi Radiance Medical MR4. Multi Radiance Medical is an international corporation with a presence in over 30 countries. It has been serving customers for 20 years with leading edge therapeutic laser technology. Yes, it seems Australia has been left behind on the benefits of Cold Laser Therapy for some time now.

Book an appointment now so you can benefit from Cold Laser Therapy.  Phone 9418 3930

Scar tissue prevention and reduction, pain relief, faster healing…. getting you back on your feet quicker.