What are the two requirements for therapeutic effects in laser therapy?

In laser therapy, achieving therapeutic effects relies fundamentally on two critical requirements: the energy must penetrate to the appropriate tissue depth and be administered at the correct dosage.

Penetration depth is crucial because different tissues in the body absorb and scatter light differently. For therapeutic effects to occur, the laser energy must reach the target tissues, such as muscle or joint structures, where healing or pain relief is desired. If the energy does not penetrate adequately, the treatment will not exert the necessary physiological effects.

Moreover, the correct dosage of energy is vital to ensure efficacy without causing damage. This dosage is typically measured in Joules per square centimeter (J/cm²) and varies based on the condition being treated, the wavelength of the laser used, and the types of tissues involved. Administering too much energy can lead to overheating and damage to the tissues, while too little may fail to elicit the desired therapeutic response.

Understanding these two components – adequate penetration and the correct dosage – is essential for practitioners to optimize laser therapy outcomes and effectively treat their patients.