Therapeutic Medical Laser Technology
How a Markham-based company is leading the way.
By Pam Brodie
Markham-based Theralase Inc. has designed and manufactured the highest quality therapeutic medical lasers in the industry since 1975. They provide world-class customer service and training on their technology, enabling their customers to deliver the safest and most efficacious rehabilitation treatments available. Manufactured in Markham, their therapeutic medical lasers systems are sold across North America and internationally.
What is laser therapy?
Laser therapy provides an external source of pure light energy to the body. Cellular proteins within the body convert this light energy into chemical energy which the body uses to stimulate its own repair. The biostimulating effect of laser therapy reduces swelling, eliminates pain and accelerates the healing of tissues.
Who Can Benefit?
People who suffer from a wide range of neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions, such as motor vehicle and workplace injuries, chronic pain conditions, repetitive strain injuries, sports injuries, wounds, burns, and other conditions affecting the skin, will greatly benefit from this fast and painless treatment.
Conditions that have responded well to laser therapy include:
Sports injuries:
• Joint sprains and muscle strains
• Ligament, tendon and capsule tears and strains
• Bursitis and joint inflammation
Work related injuries:
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Back, neck and shoulder pain
• Foot pain
Pain control:
• Sciatica and Herniated Disc pain
• Shingles and Cold Sores
• Tension Headache and Migraine pain
• Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
Skin Conditions:
• Diabetic ulcers
• Burns
• Cuts and wounds
Over the past decade, laser therapy has advanced significantly. Ten years ago, lasers could only penetrate a few centimeters under the skin; today, they can penetrate up to four inches into tissue and joints. This feature has greatly expanded the variety of treatable conditions. Treatments are no longer restricted to surface issues such as cuts or blisters: Theralase superpulsed lasers can now deliver energy deep into injured muscles and joints.
Who is using laser therapy?
Hospitals and physicians, chiropractors, physiotherapists, sports trainers, athletic teams, athletic 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. It is even safe to use over pace makers and other metal, plastic or ceramic prosthetic devices. Clinical studies demonstrate it has an effectiveness rate ranging between 60 and 100%, with an average effectiveness of over 85%.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of therapeutic laser therapy are quite remarkable. Patients heal faster and it improves the quality of the tissue. How? Energy provided by the laser light accelerates cellular reproduction and growth. This in turn provides faster wound healing, reduces the development of scar tissue from cuts and surgery, reduces swelling from sprains providing better joint movement and stimulates the recovery of nerve function.
Theralase continues to partner with the medical community, through ongoing clinical trials, to further extend the boundaries for the application of therapeutic lasers and the development of new technologies.
The Clinic
Theralase operates a full service, multidisciplinary rehabilitation clinic in Markham. The Pain Relief Center provides patients with a safe, effective and painless therapy that uses the body’s own natural healing systems to relieve pain, increase joint mobility, increase tissue integrity and promote cell regeneration. The Center is used not only to treat patients, but also as a research and education center that can be accessed by healthcare practitioners 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 or call toll-free 1.866.843.5273.
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
