Laser Therapy - Med One Medical Group

At Med One Medical Group in Raleigh, we offer advanced laser therapy using state-of-the-art technology that delivers targeted healing energy directly to injured tissues. Our professional-grade laser systems provide powerful therapeutic effects that accelerate recovery, reduce pain, and restore function with no downtime or side effects.

Laser therapy represents the cutting edge of non-invasive pain management and tissue healing. By harnessing precisely controlled light energy, we can stimulate cellular repair processes at the exact location they’re needed most, offering you a safe, effective alternative to medications and surgery.

What is Laser Therapy?

Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a new treatment option that has a proven track record of providing pain relief, reducing inflammation and enhancing the healing process of damaged tissue. Cold laser therapy uses low-intensity light to stimulate the cells of your body, in the injured area, to promote healing and enhance the recover of various tissues, including skin, muscle, joints, tendons and ligaments. Its use in office environments allows individuals to receive treatment quickly and conveniently without downtime.

At Med One Medical Group, we utilize advanced Class IV laser technology that delivers sufficient power to penetrate deep into tissues while remaining completely safe. Our laser systems emit carefully calibrated wavelengths (typically between 600nm and 1000nm) that research has shown provide optimal therapeutic benefits for different tissue types and conditions.

The light energy from therapeutic lasers stimulates cellular mitochondria (the cell’s energy producers), increasing ATP production and initiating a cascade of beneficial effects throughout the damaged or dysfunctional tissue. This cellular stimulation enhances the body’s natural healing processes, producing faster and more complete recovery from injuries and chronic conditions.

How Laser Therapy Works: The Science of Photobiomodulation

The cold laser used in our office has various wavelengths which are used to penetrate deeper into the affected area depending on the condition and location we are treating. The laser stimulates an organelle inside the cell called the mitochondria. The mitochondria produces ATP which is what the cell uses for energy.

Just like our muscles use sugar for energy, the cells use ATP to fuel their various functions. Millions of cells in an injured area are there to repair the damage and inflammation from an injury or just “wear and tear”. When the mitochondria are stimulated using the laser they produce more ATP which means that the cells can now work for a longer period of time doing what they normally do… which means quicker healing, reduced inflammation, reduced pain and speedy recovery.

Enhanced cellular energy production: Laser energy is absorbed by photoreceptors in the mitochondria, increasing ATP production and powering cellular repair mechanisms
Increased microcirculation: Blood vessels dilate, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to injured areas while enhancing removal of waste products
Accelerated cellular repair and replication: Fibroblasts (tissue-building cells) are stimulated to increase production of collagen for faster tissue repair
Reduced inflammation: Pro-inflammatory mediators are decreased while anti-inflammatory processes are activated
Modulated pain signals: Nerve cell membrane permeability is altered, reducing pain signal transmission
Release of endorphins: Natural pain-relieving compounds are increased, providing immediate comfort

The precision of laser therapy allows us to target specific damaged tissues with the exact wavelengths and power densities needed to optimize healing, making it more effective than broader treatment approaches for many conditions.

Benefits of Laser Therapy

Laser therapy at Med One Medical Group offers numerous advantages that make it an excellent choice for patients seeking effective, non-invasive treatment:

Powerful pain relief: Many patients report significant pain reduction even after their first session
Accelerated healing: Recovery time from injuries can be reduced by 30-40% compared to conventional treatments
Targeted treatment: Laser energy can be precisely directed to specific tissues and depths
Non-invasive: No needles, incisions, or tissue damage
Drug-free: Reduces or eliminates the need for pain medications
Cumulative effect: Benefits build with each treatment session
No side effects: Unlike medications, laser therapy doesn’t cause systemic side effects
Quick treatments: Sessions typically take only 5-15 minutes
No downtime: Return to normal activities immediately after treatment

The combination of immediate pain relief and long-term healing makes laser therapy particularly valuable for both acute injuries and chronic conditions that have been resistant to other treatment approaches.

What Conditions Can Laser Therapy Treat?

Laser therapy at Med One Medical Group effectively addresses a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and soft tissue conditions, including:

Acute injuries (sprains, strains, and contusions)
Chronic joint pain and arthritis
Tendonitis and tendinopathy (including tennis/golfer’s elbow and Achilles tendonitis)
Ligament sprains and tears
Plantar fasciitis
Bursitis
Neck and back pain
Disc-related conditions
Neuropathic pain
Sprains of the upper and lower extremities
Repetitive stress injuries
Myofascial trigger points
Torn hamstrings
Osteoarthritis of the knee, ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow wrist and hand
Sacroiliac joint inflammation
Muscles of the upper and lower spine
Chronic hand and foot pain

Our clinical team will evaluate your specific condition to determine if laser therapy is appropriate and develop a customized treatment protocol for your needs.

How Does a Laser Therapy Session Work?

When you arrive for your laser therapy session at Med One Medical Group, you’ll experience a straightforward, comfortable treatment process:

You’ll be positioned comfortably to access the treatment area
Protective eyewear will be provided for you and your practitioner
The laser handpiece will be moved over the treatment area, delivering therapeutic energy to the targeted tissues
You’ll feel a gentle, pleasant warming sensation as the laser energy penetrates the tissues
The practitioner will adjust treatment parameters based on your condition and response
Most sessions last between 5-15 minutes depending on the size and nature of the area being treated

During treatment, you may experience a mild, comfortable warming sensation in the treated area. Many patients find the experience relaxing, and some report immediate pain relief during or shortly after their first session. There’s no recovery time needed – you can immediately return to your normal activities.

Cold Laser Therapy vs Hot Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy (low-level laser therapy) uses low-intensity light that generates minimal heat, penetrating tissue without thermal effects to stimulate cellular healing and reduce inflammation at the molecular level.

In contrast, hot laser therapy (high-intensity laser therapy) delivers concentrated energy that creates therapeutic heat, targeting deeper tissues to increase blood flow, relax muscles, and break down scar tissue. While cold lasers focus on cellular regeneration with minimal sensation, hot lasers leverage controlled thermal effects for pain relief and tissue repair.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

The number of laser therapy sessions needed varies depending on your condition and individual factors:

Acute conditions: Typically respond well to 4-6 treatments over 2-3 weeks
Chronic conditions: Generally require 8-12 initial treatments, potentially followed by periodic maintenance sessions
Post-surgical recovery: Usually 6-10 treatments, beginning as soon as cleared by your surgeon

Many patients report noticeable improvement after just 1-3 sessions, with continued enhancement throughout the treatment course. For optimal results, treatments are typically scheduled 2-3 times per week initially, with frequency decreasing as improvement occurs.

The cumulative nature of laser therapy means that each treatment builds upon previous sessions, with results that often continue to improve even after your treatment series is complete. Our clinical team will continuously evaluate your progress and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

How Long Does it Take to Feel an Improvement?

Depending on the individual, and their condition, it could take 3-5 treatments before feeling any remarkable improvement.

What does Laser Therapy Feel Like?

Patients usually feel a warm sensation when the laser is applied. Laser is light therapy, so it may feel like your sitting in the sun. The goal is not to apply heat, but the laser generates heat as it passes through the skin to the affected areas.

Is Laser Therapy Safe?

Laser therapy is recognized as an exceptionally safe treatment modality with minimal risk and no known long-term side effects. Unlike many medications or invasive procedures, therapeutic lasers:

Do not damage tissues
Cause no lasting side effects
Have very few contraindications
Can be safely used alongside most other treatments
Are FDA-cleared for numerous applications

The main safety consideration is proper eye protection, which we provide to both you and your practitioner during treatment. Temporary mild redness may occasionally occur in the treated area due to increased circulation but typically resolves quickly.

Laser therapy is contraindicated during pregnancy, over actively growing cancerous tissue, near the thyroid gland, and in patients with certain photosensitive conditions or medications. Our clinical team thoroughly reviews your health history to ensure laser therapy is appropriate and safe for your specific situation.

Why Choose Med One Medical Group for Laser Therapy?

Med One Medical Group offers superior laser therapy treatments through:

Advanced laser technology: Our Class IV therapeutic lasers provide optimal power and wavelengths for deep tissue penetration and maximum therapeutic effect
Expertly trained practitioners: Our team has specialized training in therapeutic laser application and understands the precise parameters needed for different conditions
Integrated approach: We combine laser therapy with complementary treatments when appropriate for enhanced outcomes
Personalized protocols: Treatment parameters are customized to your specific condition, tissue type, and treatment goals
Comprehensive care: Your laser therapy is part of a complete treatment plan addressing all aspects of your condition

Our patients consistently report significant improvement in pain levels, function, and quality of life following laser therapy at Med One Medical Group, often after experiencing limited success with other treatment approaches.