Lasers and Bodywork — The Soft Tissue Effect

"I’ve felt positive changes from the laser in my clients’ soft tissues that – even given the above list of widely accepted laser effects - I can’t explain.

"With the simultaneous use of laser and manual techniques, tight tissues soften in front of my hands with little effort on my part. Cervical range of motion and joint function returns to normal with six minutes of laser and gentle passive stretching. Scars flatten and change color, hypersensitive areas become pain free so that I can easily work on them without causing the patient discomfort. And the combination of manual therapy with the laser gets much more powerful results than the laser alone.

"In thinking about the properties of soft tissues, I wonder about these effects. It seems that, just like the changes I get with my manual techniques, the laser light is creating a similar changes."

Cathy Ulrich, P.T.,
Certified Advanced Rolfer®
Director of Education

The liquid crystal matrix

It’s been postulated that the connective tissue matrix is a living liquid crystal, a semiconductor that transmits information at times and blocks information at others depending on the circumstances. Liquid crystals are piezoelectric which means that when they’re deformed, they release electrons creating a free flow of energy throughout the matrix. They’re also thixotropic – able to change from a gel state to a solution state depending on their level of energy.

Manual therapists feel the softening that happens when they add energy by applying pressure to the tissues. The tissues soften and change – this is the liquid crystal in action. The therapist's hands are using the piezoelectric effect of the tissue to their advantage, releasing electrons and changing the tissue to a liquid state.

The connective tissue liquid crystal can also have photoelectric properties – releasing electrons when strong light contacts it. So, is it possible that laser light can do the same thing? And when we take advantage of both properties – pressure and light - can we get an even greater change? This certainly seems to be the case in my own clinical experiences.

Low Level Lasers Have Minimal Side Effects

Low level lasers don’t damage tissues no matter how long they are used in the same place. The tissue will stop absorbing light photons and positive benefit will be negated, but the tissue won’t be damaged.

Similarly to manual therapy, chronic conditions may respond to laser light with about 48 hours of increased soreness or pain, mainly due to the release of metabolites. In many cases, pain is reduced or eliminated and it’s important to caution the client to rest rather than test their new found relief. The laser may reduce the pain and shorten healing time, but the patient still needs to give his body time to recover.

Some people report being tired after laser therapy, sometimes extremely tired. Again, the release of metabolites may be the culprit, but the dramatic pain relief that some laser treatments produce can relax a constantly stressed nervous system and the patient feels the need to catch up on rest.

Integrated Laser Therapies and Empowered Connections LLC and their employees make no medical promises or human treatment claims regarding the equipment represented on this website

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