5 Most Innovative Laser Treatments for Healthcare

Laser treatment is still considered as a relatively new and modern healthcare method, however in the past decade or so it has proven itself as a wonderful option for treating a number of problems and ailments. The way in which laser treatment works is in using a beam of light to burn, cut or destroy either some skin tissue, or an unwanted growth or entity on or in the body.

The word laser naturally conjures up images of some Star Wars style colorful beam, however the term itself in the medical industry is actually an acronym and it stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”. You learn something new every day, huh? This article takes a look at some of the most innovative ways laser treatment is used in the healthcare industry.

Pain Relief

Not so many people are aware of this but lasers can actually be used as a pain relief option – particularly where the pain affects the back or spine. Perhaps a person has an incredibly painful spinal condition from which they long for some relief. Alternatively, ailments such as sciatica and lumbago that can cause back pain can linger around and persevere for extended periods of time causing a lot of discomfort. Instead of  overdosing on painkillers or spending your days trapped in bed with back pain, a heat compress on your back and feeling sorry for yourself, you could opt for LLLT laser treatment.

This treatment uses wavelengths of light and lasers that move  in waves through the area and the tissue in order to speed up the healing process so that you can be free from pain and back to being healthy and active in next to no time.

Endovenous Laser Therapy

Varicose veins are a dreaded and unsightly ailment that can affect your legs and lower body. Varicose veins rear their ugly heads when our veins become enlarged and start to look red and angry. Typically you cannot really see your own veins through your skin but if you have varicose veins, they will likely appear as red, spidery and spindly.

This can be triggered as a result of standing around in one position for extended periods of time (for example, if you have a job that requires that you stand upright behind a service counter in one spot for hours on end and you do the same job for many years, over time, this will put pressure on your legs and lower body and increase the likelihood of you getting varicose veins). Similarly, if you have a sedentary office job and you sit in obscure positions (i.e. sitting with one leg crossed over the other for the majority of the day) then it can cause varicose veins.

The scary thing about this is that despite what people may believe, varicose veins are not just restricted to older people. In fact, they can launch their attack on your legs at virtually any age. Historically, varicose veins were treated by vein stripping (not the most pleasant process in the world but arguably also not as bad as it sounds!) Vein stripping means having the veins in question completely removed. However thanks to medical developments and laser therapy magic, EVLT (Endovenous Laser Therapy) is now more commonly used instead.

The lasers work their magic by painlessly gliding over the veins to remove the unsightly appearance and close them off. Quick, painless and effortless, this is without a doubt one of the most innovative methods for laser treatment in the healthcare industry. Read more on how Endovenous Laser Therapy works here.


Vision Correction

This has been around for a while now but we are still astounded and impressed by the way in which lasers are used for vision correction. Afterall, it’s almost godlike isn’t it? Giving someone the gift of sight with the use of lasers.

Cancer Treatment

Cancer remains at large as one of the biggest killers in the United States and the developed world. Researchers are coming along in leaps and bounds in their search for treatments and cures, and although there is no fix available as of yet, the medical industry has made significant progressions in recent years. One way in which they have progressed is in their application of laser treatment to seek and destroy cancerous cells. There are a variety of different laser treatments used in this manner.

As an example, one form is LITT aka Laser Induced Interstitial Thermotherapy. This treatment involves implanting an access route for lasers into a tumor, and heating it to temperatures high enough to destroy the tumor. This is just one of several laser treatment methods developed to help in the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Skin Treatments

In a similar manner to the magical way in which lasers can provide the gift of sight, they can also provide *drumroll please* – a whole new face! Okay well not exactly a new face, but lasers can aid significantly in improving the surface, texture, and appearance of your skin for both cosmetic and medical practices.

For example, if you have a painful or sensitive mole or beauty spot then that can easily be removed with laser therapy as the lasers will glide over the imperfection in question and gently burn it off. If you have an insecurities about your skin then you can have it resurfaced with lasers in order to create a much smoother, even texture.

Laser treatment on your face can even work to essentially rewind the clock as the treatment often removed or reduced the appearance of wrinkles while resurfacing. It doesn’t get much better than that really does it?

Make sure to do your research – and only have your treatment done by a professional. This is a very important step you don’t want to forget. If you experience any of the above, consider getting a laser treatment done. Doing so may change your life in a positive way.