What is HIL Therapy?
"High Intensity Laser Therapy" (HIL Therapy) is a physical therapy method used to reduce pain, relieve inflammation and accelerate the healing process by penetrating deep parts of the body with high intensity special laser beams.
High Intensity Laser Therapy, also known as photobiostimulation therapy, is one of the most important treatment modalities in modern medicine, having received FDA approval in 2002. The absorption of laser light by cells creates the desired biological changes in the target tissue and accelerates healing in the body.
How Does HIL Therapy Work?
High-intensity laser therapy reduces inflammation and edema, relieves pain and helps the healing process in damaged tissue. It promotes the regeneration of nerve cells, improves communication with the brain and reduces the sensation of pain. By reaching deep tissues, it changes pain memory and prevents chronic pain. It also makes the connective tissue more flexible and mobile and softens the scar tissue.
How Many Sessions Does HIL Therapy Take?
For acute conditions, 1-5 sessions may be sufficient, while for chronic conditions the treatment may extend up to 6-12 sessions. Session duration varies between 10 and 30 minutes. HIL Therapy usually starts to show its effect from the first session. The number and duration of sessions are determined by the specialist physician according to the type of disease.
What are the Differences from Other Lasers?
High Intensity Laser Therapy makes a difference by reaching deeper tissues compared to Low Intensity Laser Therapy (cold laser). Due to its high intensity, it provides shorter and longer treatment in both superficial and deep tissues.
In which diseases is it used?
HIL Therapy has a wide range of treatments and offers an effective solution in the following cases
- Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Relieves pain by reducing inflammation in the joints.
- Soft Tissue Rheumatisms: Treats muscle and connective tissue inflammations.
- Burn Healing: Accelerates the healing process of burns.
- Decubitus ulcer (bedsore): Promotes healing of bedsores.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Relieves nerve compression and pain.
- Tendonitis and Bursitis: Treats inflammation of the soft tissues around the joints.
- Sports Injuries: Accelerates healing in muscle, ligament and joint injuries.
- Radiculopathy and Discopathies: Accelerates recovery in waist, neck hernia, nerve root compression.
- Chronic Osteomyelitis: It is used in the treatment of bone inflammation.
- Diabetic Neuropathy: Heals nerve damage and reduces pain.
- Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): Treats inflammation in the elbow area.
- Dental Diseases: It provides the treatment of inflammation in the mouth.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: Relieves pain in the face.
- Postherpetic Neuralgia Relieves pain after shingles.
- Sjögren's Syndrome: Treats inflammation caused by a disorder of the immune system.
- Bone Healing in Fractures: It allows bones to heal faster.
- Scar Treatment: Accelerates the healing of scars and softens scar tissue.
In which cases is it not used?
HIL Therapy should not be used in some cases:
- On unclosed fontanelles in children
- Pregnant women (especially should not be applied to the abdomen)
- In areas close to cancerous lesions
- On varicose veins (varicose veins)
- In infected areas
- Use with caution in patients with epilepsy and pacemakers
- Close to the eyes (contact of laser light with the eyes at a distance of less than one meter can damage the cornea, so patients and the doctor must wear glasses).
Will there be pain in the application?
No, there is no pain during the HIL Therapy treatment. During the treatment, the laser light creates a warm sensation on the body, which most patients find relaxing and pleasant. Some patients describe the laser light as "like warm sunlight". There are no side effects such as pain, hair loss, skin spots and burns during the procedure. Laser treatment is a very comfortable and safe treatment method when applied by experts.