LASER THERAPY IN WOUND HEALING
Wounds are among the most common health problems worldwide. Recent studies have shown that class 4 laser therapy is highly effective in the treatment of internal and external wounds. Some wounds that are commonly treated with this type of treatment option include infected wounds, pressure ulcers, diabetic wounds, arterial ulcers, chronic wounds, surgical wounds, and wounds that just won’t heal.
Common Types of Wounds
Infected wounds
Infected wounds are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues that have been colonized by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Infected wounds can occur due to various reasons such as a cut, puncture, burn, surgery, or medical condition. Signs of an infected wound include redness, swelling, warmth, pain, pus or discharge from the wound, fever, chills, and increased heart rate.
Pressure ulcers
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or pressure sores, often occur due to prolonged pressure on certain areas of the body. Pressure ulcers normally develop in bony areas such as the hips, tailbone, heels, and ankles, and typically affect people who spend extended periods lying down or sitting in one position, such as those with limited mobility or who are bedridden. Pressure ulcers can range from mild reddening of the skin to severe tissue damage, including deep wounds that expose muscle and bone.
Diabetic wounds
Diabetic wounds refer to the injuries to skin and underlying tissues that occur in individuals with diabetes. Diabetic wounds commonly occur on the feet, often due to excessive pressure or trauma. Individuals with diabetes may have reduced sensation in their feet, making it difficult to detect injuries and leaving them vulnerable to developing infections.
Arterial ulcers
Arterial ulcers are wounds that occur on the lower legs or feet due to reduced blood flow caused by arterial insufficiency. Arterial ulcers typically present as deep, crater-like wounds with well-defined borders and a pale, yellow or gray base. They may also have surrounding redness and dry, shiny skin.
Chronic wounds
Chronic wounds are defined as wounds that fail to proceed through the normal phases of wound healing in an orderly and timely manner. These wounds often persist for weeks, months, or even years, leading to significant pain and disability. Chronic wounds may have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, as well as increase healthcare costs.
Surgical wounds
A surgical wound is a cut or incision in the skin that is usually made by a scalpel during surgery. Surgical wounds can also be the result of a drain placed during surgery. Surgical wounds vary greatly in size. They are usually closed with sutures, but are sometimes left open to heal.
Treatment Options for Wounds
Cleaning: Proper cleaning of the wound is essential to prevent infection. The wound should be washed with mild soap and warm water, or as directed by a healthcare professional.
Dressings: Wound dressings help keep the wound clean and protected from further injury or infection. Dressings may include gauze, adhesive strips, hydrocolloids, and other specialized dressings depending on the type of wound and its stage of healing.
Medications: Topical or oral medications such as antibiotics, antifungals, or pain relievers may be prescribed by a healthcare professional to prevent or treat infections, reduce inflammation, or manage pain.
Debridement: In some cases, dead or damaged tissue may need to be removed to promote healing. This can be done through surgical debridement, mechanical debridement, or enzymatic debridement.
Compression therapy: Compression can help improve blood flow and reduce swelling in some types of wounds, including venous ulcers.
Advanced therapies: Advanced therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, or growth factor therapy may be used for chronic or hard-to-heal wounds.
Class 4 LASER THERAPY: It is a type of medical treatment that uses high-powered lasers to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing. It penetrates deeper into the body tissues than other classes of lasers and can be used to treat various conditions such as musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, and neuropathic pain.
“As a veterinarian based in United States, I have been using Class 4 laser therapy to treat animals for several years, and its effectiveness has been remarkable. It’s a non-invasive and pain-free treatment that uses high-energy lasers to promote healing and reduce inflammation in pets. It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, joint pain, wound healing, and post-operative recovery.
In my experience using Class 4 laser therapy, it has been particularly effective in treating chronic conditions such as arthritis. Many older dogs suffer from arthritis and other joint-related issues, and Class 4 laser therapy can provide significant relief from pain and inflammation. My clients have reported improvements in mobility, energy levels, and overall quality of life in their pets after receiving Class 4 laser therapy.”
——Dr. Sophia Lee
[1] Hawkins, D., Houreld, N., & Abrahamse, H. (2005). Low level laser therapy (LLLT) as an effective therapeutic modality for delayed wound healing. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1056(1), 486-493.
[2] Ankri, R., Lubart, R., & Taitelbaum, H. (2010). Estimation of the optimal wavelengths for laser‐induced wound healing. Lasers in surgery and medicine, 42(8), 760-764.
[3] Tong, C., Zhong, X., Yang, Y., Liu, X., Zhong, G., Xiao, C., … & Yang, X. (2020). PB@ PDA@ Ag nanosystem for synergistically eradicating MRSA and accelerating diabetic wound healing assisted with laser irradiation. Biomaterials, 243, 119936.
[4] Schwarz, F., Aoki, A., Sculean, A., & Becker, J. (2009). The impact of laser application on periodontal and peri-implant wound healing. Periodontology 2000, 51(1), 79-108.
[5] Qiao, Y., Ma, F., Liu, C., Zhou, B., Wei, Q., Li, W., … & Zhou, M. (2018). Near-infrared laser-excited nanoparticles to eradicate multidrug-resistant bacteria and promote wound healing. ACS applied materials & interfaces, 10(1), 193-206.
[6] Peplow, P. V., Chung, T. Y., & Baxter, G. D. (2010). Laser photobiomodulation of wound healing: a review of experimental studies in mouse and rat animal models. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 28(3), 291-325.
[7] Khan, M. S., Abdelhamid, H. N., & Wu, H. F. (2015). Near infrared (NIR) laser mediated surface activation of graphene oxide nanoflakes for efficient antibacterial, antifungal and wound healing treatment. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 127, 281-291.
THE SCIENCE AND EVIDENCE BACK IT
The efficacy of laser therapy in wound repair: a meta-analysis of the literature. Photomedicine and laser surgery
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/1549541041438623
Efficacy of three different laser wavelengths for in vitro wound healing
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0781.2008.00362.x
A randomized clinical trial on the effect of low-level laser therapy on chronic diabetic foot wound healing: a preliminary report
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/pho.2009.2680
Medical lasers
Professional CLASS 4 high-power laser therapy machine
Home use
Portable handheld cold laser therapy device
Veterinary use
Laser therapy machine, shockwave physical therapy, widely used in animals