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©Dr. Larry Basch, D.C., CCSP, CCEP www.LaserSpineandSport.com

At Laser Spine and Sport, we have invested in the latest cutting edge 21st Century Technologies so we can help your body heal Quickly, Safely, Naturally.

We combine Professional Superluminous LED Light Therapy along with our High Powered Class IV Laser Therapy, Whole Body Vibration, Myofascial Release Techniques to treat a wide variety of Neuro-Musculo-Skeletal Injuries, Acute and Chronic Pain, Neuropathy, Sciatica, Arthritis, Skin Disorders, Sports Injuries, Disc Pain and Much more, all without Drugs!

Call for your FREE Laser Consultation
21st Century Pain Relief at the Speed of Light
Accelerates Healing & Relieves Pain Fast

Healing Your Pain, Changing Your Life.

We now use the most advanced super high power 30 watt Diowave Laser Therapy along with Superluminous Infrared & Red LED Therapy.
The MOST Powerful Therapeutic Laser in the world is now in the
Inland Empire.

The world's most advanced therapeutic laser treatment has arrived at Menifee Chiropractic one of the first clinics in southern California to use the newly FDA-cleared Class IV Diowave Laser Photobiostimulation therapy. The same laser used by professional baseball and football teams. Our doctors treat patients with painless, relaxing sessions to alleviate pain and heal tissue, for conditions such as:

Arthritis (RA & OA)
Achy/Stiff Joints
Neck & Back Injuries
Shoulder Pain
Tennis Elbow
Muscle & Ligament Tears
Knee & Hip Pain
Trigger Points & Muscle Spasms
Sprains/Strains
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Rotator Cuff Tear
Sciatica (Leg Pain)
Arch Pain
Pain & Healing Following Surgery
Herniated Discs
Foot/Ankle Arthritis
Plantar Fasciitis
Toe Nail Fungus

Ankle Sprains
Achilles Tendinitis
Shin Splints
Poor Circulation
Stress Fractures
Bunion Pain
Nerve Pain
Migraine Headaches

Dozens of Professional & College Athletes use this Advanced Therapy

Now You can benefit from the technology today!

PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ENDORSES LASER THERAPY

Cincinnati Bengals -

We were introduced to the K-laser midway last season and it immediately became an integral part of our treatment options with the Cincinnati Bengal's. It made our low-level laser virtually obsolete and proved to be very helpful in returning our injured athletes to the field quickly. Its sleek design and fool-proof applications makes it easy for any health care professional to bring state of the art therapy into their office.

Paul B. Sparling, MEd, ATC Head Athletic Trainer Cincinnati Bengals

Toronto Raptors -

“ Since starting with the laser , I have had some outstanding results in being able to get our athletes back to the game and practice. ” Chuck Mooney, – Head Trainer, Toronto Raptors

New York Jets -

“….extremely helpful returning our players as quickly and safely to the field of play.”

David Price, Head Athletic Trainer- New York Jets

Boston Celtics-

“The laser therapy device has been an invaluable asset to our team. I would like to thank you for helping to keep our players in the game throughout our 2008 Championship season. This laser therapy device will continue to be part of the high level of care our medical staff provides our players.”

Edward J. Lacerte MEd., PT, SCS, L/ATC, CSC S Head Athletic Trainer for the Boston Celtics®

Toronto Blue Jays -

“We have been using the laser successfully to treat conditions such as plantar fasciitis, hamstring pulls, and other nagging injuries. All the players love the laser. The treatment times are fast and the results are obvious. Our pitching staff use the laser as part of their normal warm up and rehab treatments. The laser is instrumental in getting players back on the field earlier than expected after severe injury. We have used low level lasers in the past, the big difference with the LCT-1000® is the faster treatment times and consistent positive outcomes.” George Poulis, MA, ATC, LAT Head Athletic Trainer for the Toronto Blue Jays®

Miami Heat-

”I have several players now that only wish to have their injuries treated with the laser. We have had great success treating “-itis” problems. Both patellar and plantar fascitis are responding to treatment very quickly and we couldn’t be more pleased.My only regret is that it took me three years of talking and researching to be convinced to acquire a unit.” Ron Culp, NBATA -Athletic Trainer for the Miami Heat

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What is High Power Laser therapy?

High power laser therapy is the state-of-the-art and highly effective method of treating chronic or acute pain and other neuropathies by accelerating the healing process in areas of the body previously only visited by drugs or surgery. The healing process can be expected to be reduced by one-third to one-half the usual time. As the necessary inflammatory process proceeds, natural healing takes place and the pain is alleviated.


How Laser Therapy Works

Cells that are damaged and poorly oxygenated as a result of inflammation, swelling or trauma have been shown to have a significantly higher response to laser therapy irradiation than normal healthy cells. At a cellular level there are photoreceptors, that when stimulated by deep penetrating photons, activate a biochemical cascade of events resulting in increased DNA/RNA synthesis, increased cAMP levels, protein and collagen synthesis and cellular proliferation. The product of these reactions is rapid regeneration, normalization and healing of damaged cellular tissue. Photonic stimulation is the trigger for these metabolic changes. During each session, the Class IV Laser's energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen and nutrients to a painful and damaged area. Published studies have demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of laser therapy for those who suffer aliments, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder and back pain, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, ligament sprains, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), herpes zoster (shingles), burns and more.


Is it safe?

Therapeutic laser therapy is an extremely safe procedure. In fact, in over thirty years of therapeutic laser use there have been zero complications or unwanted side effects. However it should not be used on anyone taking a drug which causes photosensitivity, cancer patients or pregnant women. The doctor will discuss these fully with you during the pre-treatment consultation.

Benefits of High Power Laser Therapy

  • Most conditions begin to show signs of improvement in just a few visits.
  • There are no harmful side effects like those associated with pain medications or surgery.
  • The results of laser therapy, for many individuals, have been shown to last for years.
  • Laser therapy is a safe, pain-free treatment that only takes a few minutes per visit.
  • Laser therapy works well for a variety of painful conditions.
  • Laser therapy is not habit forming.
  • It's effective.

Biological Effects of Laser Therapy

Accelerated Tissue Repair And Cell Growth - accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. No other physical therapy modality can penetrate the bony patella and deliver healing energy to the articular surface between the underside of the patella and the femur. Cells of cartilage, bone, tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired faster as a result of exposure to laser light.

Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation - Laser therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage and acute and chronic inflammatory processes. This point is paramount because fibrous (scar) tissue is less elastic, has poorer circulation, is more pain sensitive, weaker, and much more prone to re-injury and frequent exacerbation.

Anti-Inflammation - Laser light therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect, as it causes vasodilation and activation of the lymphatic drainage system. As a result, there is a reduction in swelling caused by biomechanical stress, trauma, overuse, or systemic conditions.

Analgesia - Laser therapy has a beneficial effect on pain through the suppression of nerve signal transmission over unmyelinated c-fibers that transmit pain to the brain. This means that a greater amount of stimuli is required to create an action potential within the nerve to signal pain. Another pain blocking mechanism involves the production of high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins from the brain and adrenal gland.

Improved Vascular Activity - Laser light will significantly increase the formation of new capillaries (angiogenesis) in damaged tissue that will speed up the healing process. Additionally, it has been noted in the literature that microcirculation increases secondary to vasodilation during laser treatment.

Increased Metabolic Activity - Laser therapy creates higher outputs of specific enzymes

Improved Nerve Function - accelerates the process of nerve cell regeneration and increases the amplitude of action potentials

Immunoregulation - stimulation of immunoglobulins and lymphocytes

Stimulates Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points - stimulates muscle trigger points, restoration of muscular tone and balance.

Studies over the last 35 years have shown clear evidence that therapeutic lasers are highly effective on both chronic and acute conditions including neck and back pain, tendonitis, sports injuries, tennis elbow, and repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. In the area of skin care therapeutic laser therapy has been shown to have a positive effect on acne, eczema, scars and keloids as well as fine wrinkles. Exciting new research is also proving the benefit of therapeutic lasers on such conditions as fibromyalgia, migraines, vertigo, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Advantage of Laser Therapy Over

Other Physical Therapy Modalities

The therapeutic application of laser is not based primarily on the development of heat but on the photobiological effects of coherent laser radiation on cells and mitochondria. This biological effect is termed "photobiomodulation." This positive effect of laser light on tissues is a unique property of laser therapy and is not duplicated by any other conventional physical therapy modality. The list of positive effects is extensive.

Research has documented that laser promotes tissue remodeling, neurological recovery and improved function, improved quality of life in chronic pain states, improved flexibility, faster wound healing, and faster bone deposition in fracture. The primary of biological action of laser results from stimulation of electron chain transport mechanisms in the mitochondria, cell membranes and epithelial tissues. This action causes the release of vasodilating chemicals, the stimulation of DNA and RNA synthesis, and increase in enzyme production, and increase of superoxide dismutase activity, normalization of tissue pH, and increased ATP production. The increase of vasodilation and improved microcirculation will increase the supply of cellular nutrition promoting tissue repair and tissue remodeling. Significant reduction in edema is also noted with studies demonstrating reduced lymph node congestion, reduced lymphedema, and reduction in extremity circumference and extremity swelling following laser treatment.

There are currently thousands of studies surrounding the use of laser for photobiomodulation and suppression of pain. The therapeutic applications of laser are expanding and new uses are being discovered every day!

Call Today for Your Laser Consultation

951 / 679- 4121

More Detailed Info Below

What is High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT)?

L-A-S-E-R is an acronym that stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission or Radiation. In simple terms this refers to light waves of a specific wavelength - both artificial and sunlight usually consist of many different wavelengths of light scattering in all different directions.

Lasers can be used for a number of different purposes. However, Therapeutic Lasers (sometimes called "Cold Lasers", Low-Level Laser Therapy [LLLT] or High Power Laser Therapy [HPLT]) are unique to the field of medicine. Therapeutic Lasers offer a wide variety of benefits to patients and do so while "passing through" the skin (they do not break the skin like surgical lasers). The wavelengths of light actually create physiological changes within the cells of the body - a process called photobiomodulation. These benefits include pain reduction, improved healing time, increased blood circulation and decreased inflammation. Many of the more dramatic therapeutic effects are listed in detail below.

Therapeutic Benefits of High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT)

Numerous clinical studies and research trials have been conducted on the beneficial effects of laser therapy for a whole host of clinical conditions. The following is a simplified list of the more widely studied biological effects of Laser Therapy.

Laser Therapy Effects:

Pain Relief: Laser Therapy relieves pain through several different biological mechanisms. 1) Laser Therapy blocks the pain signals transmitted from injured parts of the body to the brain. This decreases nerve sensitivity and significantly reduces the perception of pain. 2) Laser Therapy also reduces pain by decreasing inflammation and swelling. 3) Laser Therapy also reduces pain by increasing the production and release of endorphins and enkephalins which are natural pain-relieving chemicals within our bodies.

Improved Nerve Function: Laser light speeds up the process of nerve cell reconnection which decreases the time necessary for nerve cells to heal after an injury. Laser Therapy also increases the amplitude (strength) of action potentials (signals sent along nerve fibers) which improves overall nerve and muscle function. Both of these reasons explain why Laser Therapy is so beneficial at reducing the symptoms related to nerve injury - namely sharp pain, numbness, tingling and burning.

Inflammation Reduction: Laser Therapy causes the smaller arteries and lymph vessels of the body to increase in size - a mechanism called vasodilation. This increased vasodilation allows inflammation, swelling and edema to be cleared away from injury sites more effectively. Vasodilation of lymph vessels also promotes lymphatic drainage which also aids in this vital healing process. Bruising is often resolved more quickly as a result of this particular biological effect.

Faster Wound Healing: Laser therapy stimulates the production of fibroblasts which are the building blocks needed to create collagen. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair damaged tissue. Because of this effect Laser Therapy is effective at treating open wounds and burns.

Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth: Photons of light emitted by therapeutic lasers penetrate deeply into the tissues of the body to stimulate the production centers of individual cells. This stimulation increases the energy available to these cells causing them to absorb nutrients and expel waste products more rapidly. This dramatically accelerates the repair of injured tissue leading to faster tendon, ligament and muscle healing.

Improved Blood Flow: Laser Therapy significantly increases the formation of new capillaries (tiny blood vessels) within damaged tissues. With more capillaries bringing more blood to the injury site healing is sped up, wounds are closed more rapidly and scar tissue formation is reduced.

Increased Metabolic Activity: Laser Therapy also has a profound impact on individual blood cells that pass through the laser beam during treatment. The laser light significantly increases the oxygen and nutrient load capacity of the red blood cells (RBCs). This allows for increased metabolic activity and production of certain specific enzymes. Both of these effects can be felt across the entire body and are not just limited to the area exposed to the laser light.

Reduced Formation of Scar Tissue: Laser Therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue (fibrous tissue) following tissue damage related to cuts, burns and surgery. Laser Therapy is able to reduce this formation by speeding up the healing process, improving the blood flow to the injured area and more effectively carrying away waste products - all are mechanisms mentioned above. Faster healing always leads to less scar tissue formation.

Enhanced Immune Function: Photons of laser light are directly absorbed by chromophores (molecular enzymes within cells) that are embedded within most cells of the body. This laser light absorption activates a specific enzymatic process that triggers the production of ATP. ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) is the single most important form of energy that powers ALL chemical reactions within ALL cells of the body. Higher energy production leads to faster and more efficient function - especially true of immune-specific cells that are exposed to Laser Therapy. This improved efficiency aids the immune system in fighting off undesirable microbes and pathogens.

Acupuncture Point Stimulation: Laser Therapy is also an effective alternative to traditional Acupuncture treatment. Traditional Acupuncture delivers therapeutic effects through the mechanical stimulation of "Acupuncture Points" throughout the body. This is achieved by piercing the Acupuncture Points with needles and then twisting the needles by hand, tamping them or connecting them to electrical stimulation devices. Laser Therapy may be used to stimulate the same Acupuncture Points without the need for invasive needling or similar mechanical stimulation.

Cortisone Injections vs. High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT)

Cortisone Injections (also know as Corticosteroid Injections or Cortisol Injections) can be effective at reducing pain associated with inflammation. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory medication that mimics the effects of a naturally existing hormone in our bodies known as Cortisol. Cortisol is released by the body during times of emotional stress or physical trauma.

TOP 5 REASONS TO AVOID CORTISONE INJECTIONS

Reason #1: Blocking the Inflammation Also Stops the Healing

Blocking inflammation often provides significant, albeit temporary, pain relief. However, inflammation is the primary healing mechanism of the body. Inhibiting the inflammatory process with cortisone injections or anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Alleve, etc.) can seriously delay or even stop the healing process. Delayed healing of injured tissue usually leads to the over-accumulation of scar tissue and weakening of the muscles, ligaments and tendons. This often makes the injured tissue even more likely to be injured again in the future.

The inhibitory effects of anti-inflammatory medication (whether oral or injected) has on the healing process are so widely known that they are often used as treatments to delay or stop connective tissue healing (skin, muscle, tendons, ligaments, fascia and bone). One example of such an application is in the prevention of abnormal bone growth within muscular tissue (heterotopic ossification).

Why Laser Therapy is Superior to Cortisone Injections:

  • High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) increases the function of local blood vessels through a process called Vasodilation allowing more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to flow to the injured area.
  • Laser Therapy activates the lymphatic drainage system which allows waste products and damaged cells to be removed more readily. This decreases the painful "swelling" component of inflammation while allowing the "healing" aspects of inflammation to proceed without interference.
  • The photons of light from Laser Therapy deliver high amounts of bioavailable energy directly to the injured tissue which accelerates the cellular reproduction and growth of tendons, ligaments and muscles. In other words these tissues are repaired faster.

Reason #2: Cortisone Injections Only Mask the Pain

Pain following a trauma is often triggered by pressure created by swelling and inflammation. Cortisone Injections reduces this inflammation oftentimes creating significant pain relief. That's the good news.

The bad news is that pain is also a vital part of the healing process. Pain functions much like a smoke detector. When the detector senses a problem it sends out a piercing alarm to warn anybody in the vicinity that they are in danger. Pressure and pain receptors (nociceptors) also send alarm signals to the brain in the form of Pain. The pain is there for a reason - mainly to make sure you don't participate in any activities that might cause you more harm. Blocking the pain with Cortisone Injections can be compared with taking the batteries out of the smoke alarm - the fire (tissue injury) still rages on creating lots of smoke (inflammation) while the occupants of the house remain unaware and in danger.
If you can't feel the pain then you don't know when it is time to stop an activity that may be placing your tendons and other soft-tissues in danger. In extreme cases the tendons, ligaments or muscles can actually suffer a complete rupture. An example of this is when Basketball Great Wilt Chamberlain ruptured a tendon after several Cortisone Injections.

Why Laser Therapy is Superior to Cortisone Injections:

  • High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) reduces pain dramatically just like Cortisone Injections.
  • Laser Therapy relieves the pain caused by swelling while allowing the healing aspects of inflammation to continue. Cortisone blocks both the positive and negative aspects of inflammation which provides pain relief while sacrificing the healing process.
  • Laser Therapy also reduces pain by decreasing nerve sensitivity. If we use the smoke detector example above, Cortisone Injections take the batteries out of the smoke detector while Laser Therapy turns down the sensitivity of the device. Therefore, your body can still "warn" you if you are overexerting yourself while allowing most of your daily activities to continue without pain.

Reason #3: Cortisone Injections Create More Scar Tissue than Necessary

When the healing process in interrupted, interfered with or stopped the result is more than just a delay in healing. The quality of the injury repair suffers in nearly every circumstance. Healing damaged connective tissue is a race against time. Both inflammation and the tearing of nearby blood vessels drive the building materials necessary for healing to the injured area. When the healing is nearly completed phagocytes (microscopic garbage collectors) consume any unnecessary debris leftover from the repair process. If the healing process proceeds without interruption then the phagocytes do a great job and leave very little scar-tissue when they leave. However, Cortisone Injections slow this process to such a degree that more debris is created than can be cleared away leaving a large (macroscopic) pile of scar-tissue.

Why Laser Therapy is Superior to Cortisone Injections:

  • High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) stimulates fibroblast development. Fibroblasts build collagen which is the predominant building block of wound and injury healing.
  • Laser Therapy actually accelerates the healing process (mentioned in Reason #1). The faster the healing process proceeds the less scar tissue is produced as a byproduct.
  • HPLT increases metabolic activity by stimulating the production of healing enzymes and improving the oxygen and nutrient carrying capacity of blood cells. Both of these factors contribute to increased phagocyte activity and efficiency. As mentioned above phagocytes consume and recycle excess scar tissue.

Reason #4: Cortisone Injections Weaken Connective Tissue

In Reason #3 we learned that Cortisone Injections create more scar tissue than is necessary for proper healing.
Why is this important? It is important because scar-tissue is MUCH less flexible than healthy connective tissue. More flexible HEALTHY TISSUE CAN STRETCH farther before tearing while less flexible SCAR TISSUE WILL TEAR relatively easily in comparison.

Multiple studies in animals have demonstrated dramatic reductions in tensile strength of connective tissue injuries that healed in the presence of Cortisone and other anti-inflammatory medication. Tensile strength measures how much a tissue can be stretched before tearing in two. It is often measured by comparing the "load-to-failure ratio" (how much pulling apart leads to tearing apart) of the drug treated group versus a drug-free control group. Dozens of studies have demonstrated reductions in tissue strength between 22% and 41% on body regions ranging from knee ligaments to abdominal muscles. Put simply this means that people receiving a Cortisone Injection in a particular part of the body (low back for instance) are 22-41% more likely to re-injure the same body part because of the tissue weakening caused by the medication.

Why Laser Therapy is Superior to Cortisone Injections:

  • High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) enhances and accelerates the inflammatory process. Weakening of soft tissue caused by Cortisone occurs because the inflammatory healing process is stopped in its track. Laser Therapy keeps the process on track and actually speeds it up!

Reason #5: Cortisone Injections Prevent Your Body from Protecting Itself

In Reason #2 we learned that pain actually fills an important role in the healing process. The same is true of Muscle Spasm. Muscle Spasms work to physically protect the injured tissue by limiting motion and mobility that would otherwise cause harm. In fact the terms "Protective Muscle Spasm" and "Muscle Guarding" are commonly used to describe this "protective" role that Muscle Spasms play.

It is commonly believed that muscles become spasmed due to direct trauma or injury. Although this does happen, it is far more common for both pain and the pressure of inflammation to trigger this protective response. Cortisone Injections generally reduce inflammation which, in turn, alleviates pain. This tends to lessen the "warning signals" that the body relies upon when deciding whether to spasm up a muscle defensively or not.

Without Protective Muscle Spasm the injured body part is now prone to further injury from actions that would normally be prevented by their efforts. Further injury is always associated with delayed healing, increased accumulation of scar tissue and less complete recovery.

Why Laser Therapy is Superior to Cortisone Injections:

  • High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) reduces muscle spasm dramatically just like Cortisone Injections. The muscular pain and spasm is relieved through stimulation of muscle trigger points and acupuncture points. It provides non-invasive musculoskeletal pain relief without preventing the body's inborn protective response.
  • Laser Therapy also reduces muscle spasm by decreasing nerve sensitivity. If we use the smoke detector example above (Reason #2), Cortisone Injections take the batteries out of the smoke detector while Laser Therapy turns down the sensitivity of the device. Therefore, your body can still offer protection with a muscle spasm if an action is performed that could cause harm while still providing significant pain relief during "safe" daily activities.