Cold laser therapy goes by a variety of names including low-level laser therapy(LLLT), soft laser biostimulation, low-power laser therapy (LPLT), and photobiomodulation. Like traditional laser therapy, cold laser therapy uses light to promote healing. However, cold laser therapy uses lower levels of light that do not heat the tissues, hence the term “cold”. It works by targeting low-levels of light onto an area so the body can absorb the red and near-infrared light. The absorption of light stimulates a physiological reaction that promotes tissue regeneration in the affected area. Cold laser therapy uses about 600-700 nanometers (nm) of light to treat superficial tissue and about 780-950 nm to treat deeper tissues.
Did You Know?
Cold laser therapy offers patients the following benefits:
- Increased blood flow
- Improved nerve function
- Decrease in fibrous tissue formation
- Anti-inflammatory
- Increased metabolic rate
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is cold laser therapy right for me?
In combination with chiropractic care, cold laser therapy has been effectively used in treatment for the following conditions:
- Tennis elbow
- Ligament sprains
- Lower back pain
- Tendonitis
- Muscle strains
- Neck pain
- Knee pain
- Sciatica
- Headaches
- Plantar fasciitis
- Whiplash
- Herniated disc
- Arthritis
- Jaw pain/TMJ
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Bursitis
- Muscle spasms
- Inflammation
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
What can I expect when having cold laser therapy?
Cold laser therapy is a painless and non-invasive treatment. When receiving treatment, your doctor will place a laser about the size of a flashlight at the treatment site. Depending on the condition and size of the area being treated, the laser is left in place for about 30 seconds to a few minutes so that the laser beam can effectively penetrate the layers of skin to reach the affected tissue.
How many cold laser therapy treatments do I need?
Cold laser therapy works best with multiple treatments. The exact number of treatments you need will depend on the extent of the condition. In most cases, cold laser therapy works best when performed 2-4 times a week for about 15-minute sessions.
Is cold laser therapy safe?
Cold laser therapy is the safest type of laser therapy because it uses low-intensity light that cannot cut or burn the skin. For this reason, it has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of many conditions.
However, cold laser therapy is not recommended for those with carcinomas, cancerous lesions, or for women who are pregnant. It should also not be used directly in the eyes. Our clinic uses specific glasses over the eyes during any treatment near the eyes.