Laser therapy: benefits and indications

From this article you will learn:

Features of laser therapy treatment
Types of devices for laser therapy
Indications and contraindications for laser therapy
Application of laser therapy in cosmetology
Who are indicated for laser therapy procedures in cosmetology?
Advantages of laser therapy in cosmetology
Carrying out a laser therapy procedure in a cosmetology clinic

Laser therapy is a physiotherapeutic method of light therapy. Due to the low-energy effect on the body, improvements in metabolic processes, a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, increased immunity and decreased swelling are observed. This technique has long been actively used for physiotherapeutic procedures, and has also found application in cosmetology and dermatology.

The laser therapy method has virtually no side effects and is safe for both adults and children. A guarantee of successful treatment is the use of professional equipment under the supervision of experienced cosmetologists. We will talk further about how laser therapy helps maintain youth and beauty.

Features of laser therapy treatment

The laser therapy procedure involves treating certain areas of the patient’s body with a concentrated beam of light, which is absorbed by the melanin pigment in the dermal tissues, turning into thermal energy. Due to this effect, photodynamic processes are launched in the body.

Laser therapy helps:

an increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood (red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body, resulting in improved metabolism);
active division of bone marrow cells;
improving blood circulation and hematopoiesis processes;
a decrease in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR is an indicator of the presence of inflammatory processes in the body).

The result of a course of laser therapy is:

strengthening the immune system and increasing the body's resistance to the adverse effects of external factors;
improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
acceleration of healing and tissue restoration processes;
improvement of metabolism at the cellular level;
reducing the likelihood of connective tissue proliferation;
destruction of pathogenic microflora on the skin;
reduction of painful sensations or complete elimination of them.

Important! Laser therapy is not capable of ensuring deep penetration of the light beam into the tissues of the body, so its pronounced effect is observed only directly on the treated areas of the body.

Types of devices for laser therapy

Laser therapy, widely practiced in medicine, can be of several types, depending on the type of laser used. According to their operating mode, lasers are divided into:

continuous;
pulsed.

Depending on the active substance used, lasers are divided into:

liquid;
gas;
semiconductor;
solid state

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Lasers can be classified by the wavelength of the light beam during the laser therapy procedure into:

infrared;
red;
visible;
ultrasonic;
reconfigurable.

Laser therapy is a health procedure that is prescribed individually for each patient, based on specific problems and characteristics of the body.

Highlight:

Monolaser therapy, which provides tissue exposure only to the laser beam.
Magnetic laser therapy, which provides simultaneous exposure of the body to magnetic waves and laser beams, which significantly increases the effectiveness of the therapeutic procedure.

Laser treatment can be applied to:

directly the lesion;
skin in the area of pathology development;
acupuncture points;
an area of the body in which receptors of the same type are located, ensuring the occurrence of a strictly defined reflex.

OSTEOCHONDROSIS

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic process that develops in the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine. This is the most common spinal disease, affecting more than 70% of the population. The resulting pain syndrome is explained by the fact that the intervertebral disc cannot withstand the load and its protrusion forms.

Nerve processes, blood vessels and the spinal cord are located around the intervertebral disc. A disc herniation, affecting any of the nerve processes, causes its inflammation, which leads to pain. The second cause of the pain symptom may be pinching of the spinal nerve at the site where its root exits the lumbar spine, and compression of the root can be caused by bone growths (reactive growth of marginal osteophytes).

Osteochondrosis most often affects older people, as well as overweight people. The disease is a serious medical and social problem, because has a chronic course and often leads to temporary or permanent disability.

Clinical trials conducted in a number of clinics in Russia and the CIS countries have proven the high effectiveness of laser therapy for osteochondrosis.

Considering the fact that with this therapy, the paravertebral vessels running along the sides of the spine enter the treatment zone, i.e. Simultaneously with the local effect, the effect on the blood is also carried out; laser hemotherapy (LHT) is not carried out separately.

Indications and contraindications for laser therapy

Laser therapy is widely used in medicine to improve health in the presence of the following diseases:

thrombosis with inflammation of the vein walls and the formation of blood clots and phlebothrombosis in the acute and chronic stages;
acute and chronic processes in the body, regardless of their location, including those resulting from injuries or surgery;

severe chemical accidental poisoning or accumulation in the body of endogenous toxic substances with high biological activity (in the latter case, laser therapy should be combined with gravitational blood surgery);
occlusive disease of peripheral arteries (obliterating atherosclerosis and endarteritis);
coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular insufficiency, diseases of the lymph nodes;
HIV and AIDS (in patients with this diagnosis after surgical interventions and injuries);
diseases that develop as a result of the pathological production of autoimmune bodies, including bronchial asthma, thyrotoxicosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, primary myxedema, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, etc., a condition that develops during treatment with immune sera of animal origin, as well as allergies of any origin;
chronic skin diseases, for example, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc.;
pancreatitis in acute or chronic forms to reduce proteolytic and lipolytic activity of the blood;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as peptic ulcers and gastroduodenitis;
diabetes mellitus and sclerocystic ovary syndrome;
burns of varying degrees, inflamed non-healing wounds, fractures;
viral hepatitis, herpes, fungal and bacterial diseases.

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Laser therapy can be performed to prevent the following conditions in the patient:

complications such as thromboembolism or infectious inflammation after surgery;
complications, such as injuries and infections, in patients with hematological malignancies;
re-development of gastrointestinal diseases, exacerbations of asthma attacks;
negative reactions to radiation therapy sessions, the development of cancer, as well as immunosuppressive conditions.

Laser therapy sessions are also possible for the prevention of seasonal colds, during the period of postoperative rehabilitation, recovery from serious illnesses and injuries. This technique is also effective for maintaining the health of people whose professional work is carried out in difficult or harmful conditions, for example, X-ray and other types of radiation.

For people actively involved in sports, laser therapy sessions are possible during the preparation for the competitive season to optimize the recovery process and increase endurance.

This procedure can only be prescribed to a patient by a qualified doctor. A health examination is first necessary, since laser therapy has a number of contraindications.

All contraindications to the procedure can be divided into absolute and relative:

Laser therapy sessions are not possible for patients with disorders of the hematopoiesis process, diseases associated with coagulation and blood composition;
diseases of the cardiovascular system in the stage of decompensation with a threat to the health and life of the patient can be considered relative contraindications for laser therapy;
the procedure is not prescribed to patients suffering from cerebral atherosclerosis, accompanied by cerebrovascular accident;
diseases of the respiratory system, renal and liver failure in the decompensation phase, tuberculosis and cancer can also be contraindications for laser therapy;
During pregnancy, laser is strictly contraindicated.

SYNDROMES CHARACTERISTIC FOR CERVICAL OSTEOCHONDROSIS

Vertebrobasilar syndrome is mainly a functional neurovascular disorder of the vertebral arteries in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Clinical signs of vertebrobasilar syndrome are expressed by headache in the occipital region or forehead, dizziness during a sharp turn of the head.

There are persistent blanching and sensory disturbances on the face that do not coincide with the zones of innervation of the branches of the trigeminal nerve. Pain or noise in the ears, vestibular disorders, decreased vision, changes in voice and taste sensations periodically occur. Often these signs are combined with pain in the arm or heart area.

Sympathalgic syndrome - characterized by neck-shoulder pain of a burning, squeezing nature, mainly at night. After leaving the arm at rest for a long time, various types of pain arise in it, which forces patients not only to wake up and change the position of the arm, but also to stand up in order to make swinging movements with the arm. Often the pain spreads to the back of the head and the glenohumeral-thoracic region.

The syndrome of glenohumeral periarthritis, which occurs with cervical osteochondrosis due to dystrophic and inflammatory changes in the joint capsule, is accompanied by intense pain in the shoulder joint. Abduction and rotation of the arm are sharply painful, which forces patients to spare the arm and keep it in a state of immobilization, which can lead to the formation of persistent adduction contracture or ankylosis of the shoulder joint, accompanied by atrophy of the muscles adjacent to the joint.

Shoulder-hand syndrome (Steinbrocker syndrome) is a symptom complex of reflex neurovascular autonomic dystrophy of the limb with cervical osteochondrosis and is manifested by pain in the joints and muscles of the affected arm, swelling, cyanosis of the hand, increased sensitivity and increased temperature of the skin of the hand. Limitation of hand function leads to flexion contractures and atrophy of muscles and skin. Later, diffuse osteoporosis of the arm bones may occur.

Anterior scalene syndrome is a reflex muscle contracture associated with cervical osteochondrosis. Spasm of the anterior scalene muscle leads to compression of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery. Clinic: pain in the neck with irradiation along the ulnar surface of the forearm and hand, pallor, coldness, paresthesia and sometimes swelling of the hand. The pain intensifies during a deep breath, when the shoulder is abducted and when the head is tilted to the healthy side. Sometimes there is swelling of the supraclavicular fossa. Later, hypotrophy and weakness of the hand muscles appear.

Cardiovascular syndrome occurs due to irritation of sympathetic formations in the pathology of the cervical discs of the fifth - seventh cervical vertebrae. Clinically, this is manifested by pain in the heart, chest, behind the sternum, and in the shoulder girdle of the left arm.

Pulmonary syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical and upper thoracic spine is characterized by congestive and inflammatory manifestations of the lungs, leading to oxygen starvation, which significantly worsens the general condition of the patient and aggravates the course of the underlying disease.

Vegetative-irritative syndrome. Pain syndrome that occurs with a combination of lesions of the gallbladder and the cervicothoracic spine, with cholecystitis and cervicothoracic osteochondrosis. This syndrome is manifested by a reflected impulse from the affected organ.

The pathological impulse arising from these two foci is directed along the phrenic nerve and sympathetic fibers to the cervical spinal cord and is summarized there according to the dominant type. Cholecystitis and osteochondrosis are in close pathological connection.

Treatment. The main directions of therapy for osteochondrosis are: impact on the affected spinal motion segments and extravertebral neurodystrophic foci; correction of psycho-emotional and autonomic dysfunction; relief of pain. For this, a wide range of therapeutic effects are used: medications, physiotherapeutic, manual and reflex.

Application of laser therapy in cosmetology

Laser therapy for the face and body is widely used in aesthetic cosmetology as a stand-alone procedure or in combination with other techniques (for example, vacuum or magnetic therapy) to improve the condition and appearance of the patient's skin. Exposure to vacuum and laser is called barolaser therapy.

The health and cosmetic effect of laser therapy develops gradually, so a course of procedures (5–15 sessions) is necessary.

Laser exposure is carried out using contact or remote techniques.

Remote technique

The technique of remote laser exposure is effective when there is no need for deep penetration of the beam into tissue, for example, for the treatment of mucous membranes, open wounds, inflamed ulcers, etc. In this case, the laser therapy device is used with a special attachment that eliminates direct contact with the skin .

The impact is carried out:

stable if the surface being treated is small and the laser radiation completely covers it;
application, if the treated skin surface is larger than the laser impact area;
labilely by moving the device over a large area of the patient's skin.

Contact technique

The contact technique is used when deeper penetration of the beam or exposure to internal organs is required. In this case, the risk of skin burns is significantly reduced.

Light mechanical pressure on the device allows you to further increase the depth of absorption of the laser beam, the process of ischemia ensures effective laser therapy of veins.

The contact method of the procedure involves stable laser exposure to a small area of tissue or application exposure if it is necessary to treat a large area of the body. Due to the ability of tissue molecules to reflect light waves, the laser operates within a radius of 5 cm from the point of application.

The application technique allows you to treat an area of the body up to 600 square meters. cm, which may require only 5–6 applications.

Who are indicated for laser therapy procedures in cosmetology?

Laser exposure is recommended for patients for whom the following are relevant:

open and purulent inflammations on the skin;
swelling of tissues, inflammation of boils, infiltrates;
dermatitis, eczema, allergic skin reactions, urticaria;
burns or frostbite;
herpes, psoriasis and seborrhea during exacerbation;
baldness;
acne and pimples;
development of cellulite;
persistent dilation of small vessels of the skin;
scars and cicatrices;
pronounced age-related skin changes.

Laser therapy is also effective against fungus. In addition, it allows you to get rid of the following aesthetic skin imperfections:

pronounced pigmentation;
excessive fat content;
fine network of wrinkles;
unwanted tattoos and permanent makeup;
stretch marks, stretch marks, scars;
spider veins;
clogged pores, post-acne, blackheads;
excess hair on the body and face;
darkening in the intimate area;
excess fat deposits on the body and face.

Listed above are the main aesthetic imperfections that can be eliminated with the help of laser therapy sessions if there are skin problems; it is also effective for treating nails. At the same time, medicine is constantly developing, and new applications are being found for this technique. The laser is used to increase the body's protective functions, heal wounds, prolong beauty and youth by activating the production of its own elastin and collagen.

A special feature of the procedure is the absence of a recovery period. However, it is important to first study all the contraindications to laser therapy, since it is not suitable for all patients.

Advantages of laser therapy in cosmetology

Long-term preservation of the beauty and youth of the skin by activating the production of elastin and collagen.
Reduction of benign tumors formed due to improper development of blood vessel cells in children without pain and scars.
Removal of unwanted tattoos and permanent makeup.
Removal of tumors, moles and calluses without pain and scars.
No side effects.
No long recovery period.
Almost complete absence of contraindications.

The disadvantages of the laser therapy procedure are:

redness of the skin in the area affected by the laser beam, which disappears within a few hours;
the possibility of swelling on the treated surface;
the effectiveness of the procedure depends on the initial natural data of the patient, for example, using laser therapy it is impossible to remove light unwanted hair on dark skin;
removal of papillomas or moles is possible only after consultation with a dermatologist, since a cosmetologist cannot determine whether these formations are benign or malignant;
high price of a course of laser therapy.

OSTEOCHONDROSIS OF THE THORACIC SPINE

It is characterized by a varied clinical picture, which is associated with the anatomical and physiological characteristics of this part of the spine. Despite the fact that the number of discs in the thoracic region is twice as large as in the cervical or lumbar region, clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis are observed much less frequently.

This phenomenon can be explained by the lower mobility of the thoracic spine, the small size of the nucleus pulposus and the small thickness of the intervertebral disc, which less often leads to the formation of hernias, however, thoracic physiological kyphosis (bend) contributes to the formation of anterior and lateral osteophytes.

Osteophytes in the area of the spinal-costal and transverse-costal joints come into contact with the spinal nerves, causing intercostal neuralgia or leading to irritation of the sympathetic trunk and the occurrence of autonomic syndromes. The lower cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic nodes connect at the level of C7 - Th1 (Th1 - 1st thoracic vertebra), then the sympathetic branches extend to the heart, esophagus, bronchi, spine, carotid arteries and recurrent nerve.

From the sympathetic nodes Th5 - Th10, the abdominal nerve is formed, passing through the diaphragm and woven into the solar plexus. Clinical symptoms depend on the compression lesion of a particular nerve trunk.

Before using laser therapy for osteochondrosis, consult our specialists. They will tell you the most appropriate treatment option, the type of device and tell you about its use.

Carrying out a laser therapy procedure in a cosmetology clinic

During a laser therapy session, the patient is in a sitting or lying position. The surface of the skin to be treated must be bare. It is permissible to influence an area of no more than 80 square meters at a time. see. The procedure lasts up to 30 minutes.

Laser therapy is carried out in a course. Depending on the characteristics and severity of the disease, from 3 to 15 procedures performed daily may be required. After a few months, it is advisable to repeat the course to achieve maximum effect.

Typically, laser is used in combination with other therapeutic procedures. They can be performed in one session or with a short interval. Laser therapy is combined with the following techniques:

Healing Fitness;
drug electrophoresis;
Ultrasound therapy;
magnetic therapy;
manual therapy;
hydrotherapy.

Particularly effective is the combination of laser skin therapy and water massage - hydrolaser therapy. The procedure has both local and general healing effects. It is prescribed for severe neurological and psychosomatic disorders, as well as in the presence of diseases of the genitourinary system.

The laser is combined with such types of treatment as:

magnetic therapy;
vacuum therapy;
biosynchronized musical laser therapy;
shower laser therapy;
acupuncture.

Most often, these procedures are prescribed to prevent various diseases. They also have indications and contraindications. Laser puncture is one of the most popular techniques. It is effective in combating swelling, muscle spasms and pain. Laser puncture is indicated for neuroses, osteochondrosis and migraines.

Why clients choose Veronika Herba Beauty and Health Center:

This is a beauty center where you can take care of yourself at a reasonable cost, while your face and/or body will be treated not by an ordinary cosmetologist, but by one of the best cosmetologists in Moscow. This is a completely different, higher level of service!
You can receive qualified help at any time convenient for you. The beauty center is open from 9:00 to 21:00, seven days a week. The main thing is to agree with your doctor in advance on the date and time of your appointment.

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OSTEOCHONDROSIS OF THE CERVICAL SPINE

Cervical osteochondrosis, or osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, due to morphological and functional characteristics, is characterized by various clinical manifestations and, often, the diagnosis is difficult due to the many “masks”. Clinical manifestations are directly dependent on the location of the lesion. Radicular (radicular) syndromes in cervical osteochondrosis are a manifestation of combined damage to often several roots.

Damage to the nerve root can be of the type of irritation, compression or conduction disturbance. With irritation and compression, the main clinical sign is pain, and with a conduction interruption - radicular paralysis. The pain is accompanied by widespread irritation, which leads to poor circulation, swelling and fibrosis of the tissue around the root.

The figure below (Fig. 2) shows the zones of innervation by nerves emanating from the cervical spine. Knowing these zones, it is easy to imagine the clinical picture of damage to one or another nerve root of the cervical spine.

Fig.2

If the C3 root (3rd cervical vertebra) is affected, pain occurs in the left or right half of the neck, a change in taste in the mouth, a feeling of swelling of the tongue, and difficulty moving food with it.

Irritation of the C4 root causes pain in the clavicle, shoulder girdle, atrophy and decreased tone of the posterior neck muscles, leading to an increase in the supraclavicular air cushion, which is a characteristic symptom of irritation of the above root.

When the C5 root is compressed or irritated, pain appears in the shoulder girdle and along the outer surface of the shoulder, and hypotrophy of the deltoid muscle.

When the C6 root is irritated, pain occurs in the neck and scapula, radiating along the outer surface of the shoulder, forearm and thumb, and hypotrophy of the biceps muscle appears.

Traumatization of the C7 root leads to pain in the neck, scapula with irradiation along the outer surface of the shoulder, into the dorsum of the forearm and to the 2nd and 3rd fingers of the hand.