Dr. Johnson provides the latest powerful technology to his patients. He provides laser therapy, which is FDA approved, to improve healing and inflammation of tissue.
Dr Johnson uses a very powerful Class IV laser which can penetrate extremely deep into the musculoskeletal tissue. Most class IV laser diodes shine with between 3 to 7.5 watts of power. Dr. Johnson’s laser has 30 watts of power which penetrates where lesser lasers can’t reach. The use of this laser tremendously improves healing time, pain reduction, increases circulation and decreases swelling.
Lasers therapy has been researched in European countries for several years and is now available here in this country. Laser therapy produces exceptional results in extremely short periods of time.
The number of treatments required depends on the nature of the problem and the length of time the patient has been affected by it. We have seen some conditions improve with only one treatment, however some chronic conditions that have been present for an extended period of time may require as many as 10 treatments and perhaps more with extreme cases.
There are no known side effects from laser therapy, however laser therapy is contraindicated for patients taking light sensitive drugs, use in areas injected by steroids within 7 days, and is not to be used over the Thyroid gland or in the eye.
The laser works by creating vasodilatation which brings more oxygen to the cells. It stimulates the lymphatic system, pulling edema and inflammation from the area. ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) production is stimulated in the cells helping them have the energy to function normally. The pain reflex is broken, offering immediate relief of pain. In other words, “it brings in the good stuff and gets rid of the bad stuff”.
Dr. Johnson is known for innovative treatments, and feels strongly that laser therapy is an asset for the care of his patients. In conjunction to laser therapy, he also provides advanced physical medicine procedures including Sedative Stretching or MUA, spinal flexion distraction, active assisted stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, computerized spinal decompression, ultrasound therapy, interferential stimulation, deep tissue massage to name a few. He has studied and researched the field of laser therapy and has earned a credential in its use. He is proud to be the first doctor in Sarasota County to make 30 watt Class IV theraputic laser’s cutting edge technology available to our community.
What is Laser or Light Therapy?
The word “LASER” is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser Therapy or “photobiomodulation”, is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near infrared) to create therapeutic effects. These effects include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling.
What is its history?
Credit for the development of laser theory is generally given to Albert Einstein. In his theory “Zur Quantum Theories der Strahlung”, published in 1916, he first used the name Stimulated Emission.
The effects of red light on cellular function have been known since 1880 however the clinical benefits were only discovered by accident during laser safety tests in 1967. In 1967, a few years after the first working laser was invented, Endre Mester in Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary, wanted to find out if laser light could cause cancer. He took some mice, shaved the hair off their backs, divided them into two groups and gave a laser treatment with a low-powered ruby laser to one group.
They did not get cancer and to his surprise the shaved hair grew back more quickly on the treated group than the untreated group. That was how “laser bio-stimulation” was discovered.
The first low-power lasers suitable for treating pain became available commercially in the late 1970’s. Ever since then, laser therapy has been widely utilized in Europe by physical therapists, nurses and doctors. Now, after FDA approval in 2001, laser therapy is quickly gaining popularity in the USA.
Has effectiveness been demonstrated scientifically?
Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of laser therapy. Among these, there are more than one hundred rigorously controlled, scientific studies that document the effectiveness of laser for many clinical conditions.
Research on the Benefits of Laser Therapy
What health problems have shown benefits from Laser Therapy?
Soft Tissue Injuries
- Tendinopathies
- Back and Neck Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Myofascical Trigger Points
- Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Sprains, Strains
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Chondromalacia Patellae
- Planter Fascitis
Degenerative Joint Conditions
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
Neurogenic Pain
- Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
- RSD/CRPS
- Post-traumatic Injury
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetic Neuropathy
Chronic Non-Healing Wounds
- Venous Ulcers
- Amputee Stumps
- Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Burns
What does research demonstrate?
- Injuries treated with laser therapy heal faster
- Laser Therapy has a strengthening effect on tissue repair
- Laser Therapy improves blood flow & lymphatic drainage
- It is an effective means of relief for many pain syndromes
- It can improve immune response