LASER THERAPY FOR NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN
Laser therapy shines a handheld laser on sore neck and shoulder tissue to calm pain and swelling. It is painless, takes about 10 minutes, and is never aimed at the eyes or at the thyroid gland in the front of the neck.
Your physician decides on this treatment and picks its strength. You only get it when it is on your orders.
What is it?
It is a therapy laser, either Class 3B or Class 4, as your physician orders. The light is absorbed by cells in the injured tissue and helps settle pain and swelling.
What does it feel like?
Most people feel gentle warmth or no sensation at all. Both of you, patient and technician, wear eye protection rated for that specific laser. The handpiece never sits still, and once a minute you are asked how warm it feels. The laser is only used behind a closed door marked with a warning sign.
Timed one-on-one: a technician remains at your side throughout and records the clock time it begins and ends.Who should not have it?
- Never toward the eyes, even with goggles on
- Never on the thyroid gland at the front of your neck
- Cancer in the treated area
- Pregnancy, for the belly or lower back
- Medicines that make your skin react to light
- Tattoos or dark moles there, until your physician decides
Before each visit, your technician asks the safety questions out loud. If anything has changed since last time, a physician decides before the treatment starts. Say the word and we stop, any time.
How long does it take?
About 5 minutes for each area, about 10 minutes in all.
What to remember
- Goggles on from start to finish.
- Warm is fine; hot means tell us.
- Report new medicines, since some make skin react to light.
Show us you have it: Practice what you will say, and when, if the area begins to feel too warm. At your next visit we go over it again, and we are glad to repeat any step you want to see twice.
Other treatments in the program
- Neck Decompression Therapy in St. Louis
- Heat and Cold Therapy for Neck Pain
- Vibration Therapy for Neck and Shoulder Injuries
- Traction Chair Therapy for Neck Pain
- Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder and Upper Back Pain
- TENS Therapy for Neck Pain
This is one part of our physiotherapy program for neck pain. Every treatment here is ordered and overseen by a physician who has examined your neck, and none begins until a physician is on site and ready to step in at once.
Find out whether this treatment fits your neck
A physician examines you first and writes the orders. Bring any scans and a list of what makes your neck or arm worse.
12174 Natural Bridge Rd, Suite 302
St. Louis, MO 63044
Next to DePaul Hospital, just off the 270 and 70 junction, west of the airport.