Is Cold Laser Therapy Right for You?

In 1906, Albert Einstein produced the first laser light, however at that time all he knew was that light had special properties. Later in 1960, T.H. Maiman used a ruby crystal to produce a thin red beam of intense light. This intense light beam was later used in 1967 by Endre Mester on rats, where it was discovered that this light had a stimulating effect on the body. Since then, lasers have become a part of the medical world and are used for a variety of different treatments. 

There is also a special form of laser therapy known as cold laser therapy, or low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Like its name suggests, cold laser therapy does not heat tissue in the same way as other forms of laser therapy. This is because cold laser therapy uses low levels of light, while other forms of laser therapy use high-intensity light. When applied to an area of the body, the tissue absorbs red and near infrared light. This stimulates a reaction within the tissues that causes damaged cells to begin regenerating. Overtime, cold laser therapy can help alleviate pain and inflammation. 

If you are currently suffering from pain and inflammation, you are probably wondering if cold laser therapy can help you. While cold laser therapy may not be right for everyone, especially if you are pregnant or have cancerous lesions, cold laser therapy may be right for you if: 

You have a minor injury

Cold laser therapy works well to help tissues recover from minor injuries such as sprains, strains, tendonitis, bursitis, tennis elbow, neck pain, lower back pain, knee pain, and muscle spasm pain. In addition to relieving pain from these injuries, cold laser therapy can also reduce swelling and promote healing. 

You have a fear of needles

If you have been wanting to try acupuncture but cannot get over your fear of needles, then cold laser therapy may be right for you. Acupuncturists are able to use a cold laser to mimic the same type of stimulation as acupuncture needles. This allows you to receive acupuncture treatment without needles. 

You have chronic pain

Patients who have chronic pain may also be ideal candidates for cold laser therapy. Since applying a low level laser to the tissue helps promote the regeneration of damaged cells, it can help alleviate conditions that cause chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia, neuropathy, arthritis, migraines, and various other chronic pain conditions. 

You have a neurological condition

Currently, research is being conducted on using cold laser therapy for neurological disorders. Although it is not set in stone whether or not cold laser therapy can be used to treat neurological conditions, there is definite potential for this someday being the case. In the future, cold laser therapy may be able to treat conditions such as traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, as well as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. 

Overall, cold laser therapy uses a low-light laser to help the body regenerate damaged cells. This can improve the outcome of a variety of pain-inducing conditions and may be right for you if you are currently experiencing pain caused by the aforementioned conditions. However, in order to determine if cold laser therapy is the best pain management solution for you, it is important to schedule a consultation with your local physical therapist.