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Integrating Photobiomodulation into Acute Injury Treatment Plans: Impacts on Recovery Timelines

Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS

October 1, 2024

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Question

How does photobiomodulation therapy fit into an overall treatment plan for acute injuries, and how does it impact expected recovery timelines?

Answer

Photobiomodulation therapy can be an excellent choice for acute musculoskeletal injuries over other modalities like ice, which causes vasoconstriction. The laser helps reduce inflammation and pain without the need for vasoconstrictive cooling. It's recommended to perform the laser treatment first before any manual therapy. This allows the laser's effects to reduce muscle guarding and pain, enabling better mobility and soft tissue work during the session. The light therapy also initiates delayed physiological responses like increased circulation and natural pain relief over the next 30-40 minutes post-treatment. Overall, using photobiomodulation early in the treatment plan for acute injuries helps optimize the outcomes from the hands-on techniques.

While photobiomodulation has been shown to speed functional recovery, clinicians must maintain realistic expectations regarding healing timelines with their patients. For example, with a grade 2 hamstring strain typically requiring 4-6 weeks, laser may reduce that by 15-20% with optimal treatments. However, the fundamental tissue healing process cannot be drastically shortened beyond those norms. The laser treatments quickly reduce initial inflammation and pain, which can mislead patients into thinking they are fully recovered and ready to return to full activity. Clinicians must continue performing objective tests and setting appropriate timeline expectations, even when the laser provides early subjective improvements.

This ask the experts is an excerpt from the course Laser Therapy: Review of Photobiomodulation and Dosing for Specific Conditions, in partnership with Enovis™ by Mark Callanen, PT, DPT OCS.  


mark callanen

Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS

Prior to joining Enovis’ ™ marketing and clinical education team, Dr. Callanen treated orthopedic patients and managed therapists in an outpatient setting for 18 years.  He has been board certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) by the APTA since 2003. He graduated with his transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2007 from Marymount University in Arlington, VA, after earning his Master of Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University in 1999.   

Dr. Callanen acquired his therapeutic laser acumen after joining LiteCure, LLC and the LightForce® team in early 2017 while serving as their Director of Clinical Development.  LiteCure, LLC was acquired by DJO, LLC in December 2020.  DJO’s parent company, Colfax Corporation, has rebranded as Enovis™, where Dr. Callanen is currently serving as the Director of US Marketing and Clinical Education for the Enovis™ Recovery Sciences Division.  He has made formal presentations on laser therapy to mixed professional audiences nationally and internationally and began lecturing on shockwave therapies in 2021.  Dr. Callanen is also an Adjunct Professor for Belmont University’s Physical Therapy Program in Nashville, TN.  


Related Courses

Laser Therapy: Review of Photobiomodulation and Dosing for Specific Conditions, in partnership with Enovis™
Presented by Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS
Course: #4863Level: Intermediate2.5 Hours
  'could be longer with more visuals on application and calculation/application parameters'   Read Reviews
This course is designed to provide a well-rounded overview of light-based therapy and factors that influence photobiomodulation (PBM). Specific subject matter includes a reference-based review of how light interacts with tissue and impacts different pathologies, as well as dosing concepts for different clinical applications.

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Presented by Adam Strizak, PT, DPT, OCS
Recorded Webinar

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Adam Strizak, PT, DPT, OCS
Course: #3923Level: Introductory2 Hours
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Pain neuroscience education consists of educational sessions for patients describing in detail the neurobiology and neurophysiology of pain and pain processing by the nervous system. Through Pain Neuroscience Education patients have been found to have a reduction in fear avoidance behaviors and are more able and willing to move. This course is an introduction to Pain Neuroscience Education and the basics to get you started. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.

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This course is designed for physical therapists, athletic trainers, coaches, and athletes to more fully understand the limits of peak athletic performance of the aging body, how accumulated trauma, stress, and anxiety contribute to athletic decline and what can be done to slow the rate of decline and enhance performance as the athlete ages. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.

Complex and Chronic Impairment in Concussion
Presented by Laura Morris, PT, NCS
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Course: #4353Level: Intermediate2 Hours
  'Laura acknowledge the different aspects that make this population challenging and helped outline a way to help them'   Read Reviews
This webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.

Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.

Cycling Related Injury: Common Injuries of the Recreational Indoor and Outdoor Cyclists
Presented by Heather Smith, PT, DPT, OCS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Heather Smith, PT, DPT, OCS
Course: #4868Level: Introductory2 Hours
  'The picture examples were helpful'   Read Reviews
With the pandemic and post-pandemic popularity of spin cycling exercise classes, as well as outdoor road biking, an increase in spinning-related injury and pain is ever present in the active population. This course is designed to highlight the mechanics and muscular activation required during the cycle revolution and the implications of speed, stand cycling, and power output on the risk of development of overuse injury.

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