Laser Therapy

What is laser therapy?

Laser therapy has created a revolution in healing. It is a modern, safe, way of bringing fast healing and pain relief to many conditions and parts of the body. This non-invasive, drug-free therapy actually prompts the body's own healing mechanisms to work faster and more efficiently.

The small but powerful laser machine beams selected wavelengths of light at the problem area (so it's different from laser surgery). This creates healing by cleverly encouraging and speeding up the human body's own natural process of repair.

How can laser therapy help me?

The good news about laser therapy is that it can really deal with a wide range of both immediately painful and nagging, chronic conditions. This means you avoid the need to take a lot of painkillers, your quality of life and mobility improve and your general health and immunity are strengthened.

Talk to us about laser therapy if you or anyone close to you:

Have arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Are waiting for a joint replacement and suffering pain. During the waiting time, pain and inflammation can be greatly reduced.
Experience any kind of strain or injury. This includes back pain, tendon and ligament problems, plantar fasciitis, repetitive strain injury and trigger finger pain.
Are recovering from an operation or broken bone, especially if the healing seems slow.
Have chronic diabetic ulcers.
Have wounds or burns that are slow to heal.
Are suffering from long Covid, with lung problems.
Are worried about a skin infection.
Are in pain and worried about taking painkillers long term for any condition.

What exactly does the laser machine do?

Decades of medical research have gone into the small but highly sophisticated laser machines that we use today. This research has pinpointed the optimum wavelengths, energy level and frequencies of light that combine to encourage change for the better in the metabolism of cells.

When the light reaches the body's tissues, it stimulates key molecules and these molecules spring into action to quickly change and improve the way that cells function. Inflammation is reduced and, where appropriate, collagen is increased. When cells function better, they repair the tissues and reduce pain - and so healing is created.

The process is known as Photobiostimulation as it is the cascade of photochemical reactions that delivers energy from superficial to deep tissues. These reactions cause treated tissues to accelerate the stages of the healing process and reduce pain sensation.

How do we know that laser therapy works?

Laser therapy has been developed and refined over several years and we have invested in a state of the art machine for our clinic.

Its effectiveness has been demonstrated by a wealth of research. Dozens of academic and medical studies have been conducted worldwide. They have shown that laser therapy penetrates deep into soft tissues, joints and bones so that tendons, ligaments and muscles repair faster, with less scarring and reduced pain and inflammation.

Laser has been used in various published studies as an innovative treatment for foot and ankle problems. Its method of action not only improves healing, blood flow and pain, but can also treat toenail infections.

For wound care, laser therapy has been shown to boost the proliferation of fibroblast cells and increase microcirculation, tissue oxygenation and cellular nutrition. All this means that wounds treated with laser are proven to heal faster, with increased tensile strength and reduced scar formation or re-opening of the wound.

How many laser treatments will I need?

The measurable effects of laser therapy are cumulative and usually require several treatments, although you will often experience relief immediately after the first or second treatment. The number of sessions will depend on your exact diagnosis, age and overall health status. In general, acute conditions can be treated more frequently and require fewer visits, typically 4-6. Chronic, and especially painful conditions, may require 6, 10 or more visits.

Are there any side effects?

Laser treatments are extremely safe when applied by a certified, properly trained professional. Matthew Jackson has undertaken extensive study and is fully qualified to advise on and apply laser therapy using a brand new, top of the range machine. Laser treatment is safe to deliver over bones with metal implants, broken skin and on acute, swollen injuries.

Rent a handheld laser machine to use at home

At Somerset Health Practice, we rent out and sell laser machines for you to treat chronic conditions conveniently in your own home. This saves on the cost of travel and treatment at the clinic.

We can deliver our equipment to you anywhere in the country.

An optimum treatment interval within our clinic is usually two to three times a week but you could treat yourself at home every other day or every day for short bursts. We will advise you individually and help you get going with confidence through information and a video.

Our rental laser machine is a Class 4 and one of the most powerful handheld lasers on the market, yet it is easy to use. We also have other lower power hand held lasers which are easy to use but need longer treatment time.

One of our clients who has rheumatoid arthritis, actually used the laser every day and had such good results that she bought the machine.

Another patient hired the laser to heal a bone fracture more quickly and then used it to treat his father's spondylitis, so spreading the benefits of home laser treatment into his family.

Other patients achieve good healing and relief from pain for a range of conditions by combining laser with one of our PEMF mats, also available to hire and use at home.

Whatever your health needs, we are always happy to offer assessment and advice, please call us at Somerset Health Practice on 01458 860392.