What is hilt laser?
The goal of high intensity laser therapy (HILT) is to influence various processes in musculoskeletal system which lead to acute or chronic pain. Pathological processes are caused by degeneration, injuries or poor circulation, and are located in any smaller or larger cavity in the body. The laser beam energy transmitted to the target tissue cells has an anti-inflammatory effect (it reduces inflammation), antiedematous effect (it enhances swelling reabsorption), analgesic effect (it lessens the pain by stimulating nerve endings directly and indirectly) — all of which helps and accelerates tissue regeneration and recovery.
Laser beam, thanks to its features, can be directed precisely to the desired place, while owing to its high power, it can reach the deep tissue too. By combining the photomechanical stimulation and biostimulation, accelerated healing of the tissue and momentary pain relief by nerve endings stimulation is achieved.
The high power of the beam enables greater penetration, so that the necessary dose of energy reaches the deeper tissues when needed. This is important because pathological process are sometimes located in deeper structures, unreachable in the past: certain joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones… Tissue and cell stimulation (biostimulation) leads to the start of a series of biological signals which further influence and accelerate healing and regeneration processes, microcirculation and lymphatic drainage.
When is the hilt applied?
High intensity laser therapy is used for a range of painful conditions, and, if necessary, in combination with other methods of physical therapy.
It is most often used to treat the following conditions:
- after sports and other kinds of injuries (sprained ankle)
- degenerative diseases of peripheral joints (hip, knee, shoulder, small joints of the hands and feet…)
- pain in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae area caused by a number of things
- painful shoulder, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow
- tendon and ligament injuries and inflammation
- pain in foot region due to deformities and encumbrance (plantar fasciitis)
- tension and pain in muscles
- damaged peripheral nerves
How is the hilt applied?
Patients are placed in a comfortable, relaxed position, either on their stomach or back, depending on the region being treated. Both the patient and the physical therapist wear protective glasses. The treatment is painless and it most often consists of two phases. During the first phase, analgesia is carried out, and during the second, biostimulation, when the patient feels gentle warmth. The duration of the treatment can vary depending on the kind of issue being attended. It usually lasts for about twenty minutes.
