Laser therapy importance in physical therapy of elderly people

The ageing process involves a gradual loosening of the physiological functions of the body. The most common difficulties the elderly experience are: weakened peripheral and central circulation, respiratory diseases, permanently reducing the function of the cardiovascular system, degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, difficulty in movement, lack of coordination, failure of the genitourinary system, chronic pain, depressed, dementia etc. Laser therapy is a relatively new physical procedure. In physical medicine, for instance, low power lasers, that generate analgetic, anti-inflammatory and antiedemous simulative effect, are often used in order to treat many conditions and diseases of the elderly. What's more, in many cases, those conditions and diseases which are common for the elderly, indicate themselves the necessity of laser treatment. Discussion: In degenerative rheumatic diseases laser therapy reduces pain, increases joint mobility, which improves the mobility of the elderly, reducing the risk of falls, and also improving the quality of life of the elderly. In inflammatory rheumatic diseases, the effect of laser beams reduces the inflammation of the joints, swelling and soreness as well as allowing us to keep the disease under control. On the other side, the amount of medications older people take on daily basis, is reduced this way, as well. Diabetic polyneuropathy is often accompanied by severe pain in the legs, disturbances of sensibility, mobility problems all of which can lead to falls and significantly affects quality of life. Laser therapy is considered curtail in treating this sort of a disease. Laser acupuncture is also important in medical treatment after a stroke; can be used as an aid in the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, diseases of the endocrine system. Conclusion: Laser therapy is easily applied; the treatment itself is painless and relatively of short duration. However, and it is the main problem, it often implies an upfront financial investment, due to the expensive laser therapy apparatus.