Injuries that produce inflammation and pain can significantly impact our quality of life. Working with healthcare professionals can provide access to treatments that reduce these symptoms. Cold Laser Therapy is one form of treatment that has seen increasing use in therapeutic settings. Another term for this form of therapy is Low-Level Laser Therapy or LLLT. We will explore LLLT and how it is used to treat injuries and reduce inflammation. After reading this article, you can determine if this treatment is right for you and reach out to your physical therapist for help.
Understanding Cold Laser Therapy And How It Can Help
Many forms of laser therapy are used in the medical industry today. All of them share one thing in common. They use a beam of light known as ‘coherent light’ to produce a beam that can be a powerful tool for treating various forms of ailments. We commonly refer to these beams as lasers, or “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” Cold laser therapy specifically uses a form of low-intensity laser to target and treat inflamed or injured tissue.
Unlike high-intensity lasers, LLLT does not produce enough energy to cut through or damage tissues. Instead, this form of laser treatment is capable of penetrating the skin and stimulating your tissues to promote healing. This is accomplished by stimulating chemical changes within the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell). These changes encourage them to produce adenosine triphosphate or ADP. This substance is the primary carrier of energy throughout our body and is used in almost all of our daily activities.
Achieving this effect requires the light used in the Cold Laser to be at a specific frequency. These results will be produced only when the beam oscillates (imagine waves occurring at precisely spaced intervals) in the 600-1000 nanometer wavelength.
Cold Laser Therapy is an effective method for treating a range of conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Muscle Strains
- Ligament Sprains
- Joint Pain
- Frozen Shoulder
- Bursitis
- Fibromyalgia Pain
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Burns
While studies are ongoing, cold laser therapy can treat inflammation and pain resulting from any form of soft tissue injury. The process is non-invasive and = painless and can help your injuries recover faster. Like any medical treatment, there are a few risks associated with receiving cold laser therapy, including:
- Requiring several treatments to achieve results
- It May be cost prohibitive if not covered by insurance
- It May not be effective for all patients
You must maintain proper expectations when receiving cold laser therapy. Like any form of treatment, it is not a miracle cure and can take time to produce noticeable benefits.
What To Expect As Part Of Cold Laser Therapy
When you’re scheduled to receive cold laser therapy, it can pay to know what to expect. It starts with exposing the body area that your physician will treat. Your physician will provide you with a pair of safety glasses and wear a pair themselves. They will then use a small wand to direct the laser to the target site for 30-60 seconds. Reach out to your wellness specialist for more information about cold laser therapy and how it can help you during your recovery.
