WHAT IS COLD LASER THERAPY?
Cold Laser Therapy is a treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue and is thought to help accelerate the healing process. It can be used on patients who suffer from a variety of acute and chronic conditions in order to help eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasms and increase functionality.
HOW DOES COLD LASER THERAPY WORK?
Cold lasers are handheld devices used by the clinician and are often the size of a flashlight. The laser is placed directly over the injured area for 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the dose provided by the cold laser unit.
During this time, the non-thermal photons of light that are emitted from the laser pass through the skins layers (the dermis, epidermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin). This light has the ability to penetrate 2 to 5 centimeters below the skin at 90mw and 830 nm.
WHAT DOES COLD LASER THERAPY TREAT?
Cold laser therapy can stimulate all cell types including muscle, ligament, cartilage, nerves, etc., so a number of conditions can be treated by cold laser therapy. Some of conditions that may typically be treated by cold laser therapy include:
- Arthritis pain
- Back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia pain
- Knee pain
- Neck pain
- Tendonitis
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF COLD LASER THERAPY?
Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure, meaning that it does not require a surgical incision. This means that there is no prolonged recovery time.
Laser therapy also does not involve taking any medications, and many patients prefer to avoid taking medications. Studies have so far found that cold laser therapy does not have serious side effects when used properly by a doctor.
COLD LASER THERAPY FAQ’S
Healthcare professionals use handheld devices to provide cold laser therapy. These devices, which are about the size of a flashlight, emit non-thermal pulses of specific wavelengths of light that penetrate 2 to 5 centimeters below the surface of the skin. Light-sensitive cells absorb the light energy, and this stimulates changes within the “powerhouse” of the cells, the mitochondria. Stimulating light receptors within these cells increases the production of the cells energy source, ATP, within the mitochondria. Stimulation also increases intracellular metabolism so that cells make better use of energy, decreases pain and inflammation, improves the synthesis of protein and growth factors, boosts cell growth and proliferation, and enhances blood flow and oxygen concentration to speed healing in damaged cells.
Cold laser therapy stimulates all types of body cells near the surface of the skin, including cells in muscles, nerves, and connective tissue.
Cold laser therapy treats pain from neurological conditions, sprains and strains, and acute and chronic injuries. This treatment can even speed up healing of wounds and fractures.
Cold laser therapy treats a wide variety of conditions, including:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Knee pain
- Arthritis pain
- Fibromyalgia pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
