Therapeutic Medical Laser Technology
How a Markham-based company is leading the way.
By Pam Brodie
Markham-based Theralase Inc. designs and manufactures high quality therapeutic medical laser systems for the safe and effective treatment of acute and chronic pain and wounds, as well as muscle and bone conditions. Theralase has been designing and manufacturing therapeutic medical lasers in conjunction with its European facility since 1975.
What is laser therapy?
Laser therapy provides an external source of pure light energy to the body. The lasers work by supplying the body with energy in the form of photons of light, which allow the body to enhance its own repair. The biostimulating effect of laser therapy provides an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-swelling effect on tissues.
Who can benefit?
People who suffer from a wide range of muscle-skeletal conditions, such as acute and chronic pain related injuries, strains, sports injuries and wounds, can benefit greatly from this fast and painless treatment. Laser therapy can treat a variety of conditions, such as lower back pain, neck pain, arthritis, heel pain, and chronic pain syndromes. Some of the conditions which have responded well to laser therapy include:
Sports injuries:
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Runner’s knee
• Jumper’s knee
• Achilles tendon
• Heel cushion pain
• Sprains, strains
Work related injuries:
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Back pain
• Migraine pain
Pain control
• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
Over the past decade, laser therapy has advanced significantly. Ten years ago, it could only penetrate a few centimeters into the skin; today, just a decade later, it can penetrate up to four inches into the tissue (e.g. right into a knee or hip joint, both of which are very deep structures). This feature has expanded the treatment indications. As a result, treatment no longer deals simply with surface issues such as cuts or blisters: it can now penetrate deep into the muscles and joints.
Who is using laser therapy?
Hospitals and physicians, chiropractors, sports trainers, athletic teams, therapists, professional and Olympic athletes are all users of laser therapy. In fact, lasers are now so portable that professionals and teams can even take their treatment with them on the road.
The medical field continues to embrace this technology. Laser therapy is a valuable - and affordable - tool for treating patients. Clean, fast and effective, with no heat or side effects, it does not hurt the tissue and can be used in combination with other treatments. Clinical studies show it has an efficacy (effectiveness) rate ranging between 60 and 100%, with an average of 85%.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of therapeutic laser therapy are quite remarkable. Patients heal faster, and it improves the quality of tissue. How? Laser light speeds up the growth and reproduction of cell growth, provides faster wound healing, reduces the development of scar tissue resulting from cuts, scratches, burns, or post-surgery, and reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation to provide better joint movement.
And this technology is rapidly changing and improving. Theralase operates a full service, multi-disciplinary rehabilitation clinic in Markham. The Relief Center is used not only to treat patients, but also as a research and education center that can be accessed by healthcare practitioners who are interested in learning more about this ground-breaking approach to therapy and treatment.
For more information about Theralase, or to find a clinic near you, visit their website at www.theralase.com
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
