Introduction to Cold Laser Therapy

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What is Cold Laser Therapy?

Cold Laser Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a form of treatment that helps accelerate the healing process in soft tissues by utilizing specific wavelengths of light that can either generate moderate heat or pass through the top layers of skin to deliver their effects 2-5 centimeters below the skin.

How does Cold Laser therapy work?

Cold Laser Therapy is thought to help patients suffering from a variety of acute and chronic conditions to help eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasms and increase functionality. Cold laser therapy uses low-level light energy either in the visible or invisible spectrum to treat a wide variety of conditions including back pain, sprains, tendinitis, arthritis, temporomandibular disorder (chronic jaw pain), carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, leg ulcers, fibromyalgia, etc. Used by many physical therapists, physiatrists, chiropractors, and occupational therapists, it should not be confused with more powerful lasers used in surgery.

Cold laser therapy treatments usually take place by placing the laser device directly on or over the area to be treated for a period of time— typically 30 seconds to several minutes for each treatment and area to be treated. Depending on wavelengths of the lasers employed, typically some of the energy generates heat in the area being treated and other non-thermal wavelengths of light actually penetrate some layers of the skin to a depth of 2-5 cm., penetrating the dermis, epidermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin.

Treatments are typically repeated every other day, with the frequency decreasing over time. But you should follow the directions that come with your device or from your practitioner. You should be aware that infrared lasers, which directly provide heat, may not produce light which is visible to the eye. Thus, it is possible for you to presume that some or all of the LEDs in your cold laser device are not functioning when in fact they are producing infrared radiation to treat your injury.

The FDA has cleared more than two dozen cold laser devices, including some sold on the Internet, for home use for the temporary relief of pain (both in people and in pets) and for stimulation of hair growth. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is noninvasive and painless, and it is free of serious side effects. This makes Cold Laser Therapy an attractive treatment for many seeking treatment without the use of surgery or drugs. Some devices provide an easy to use supplement to (or alternative to) acupuncture.

Who can benefit from using LLLT?

Cold Laser Therapy is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects, including the repair connective and other soft tissues, and is thought to enhance the release pain-relieving endorphins. Our personal experience is that these devices can provide significant benefit for the relief of back and joint pain. It would appear LLLT devices should provide similar benefits to pets suffering similar causes of pain.

Whether you are an athlete looking for a treatment to speed up your healing time, or you are seeking a pain relief treatment in the comfort of your home, you can benefit from using LLLT.
And, of course, who wouldn’t enjoy using a Cold Laser Therapy helmet with a built-in high quality headset to stimulate hair growth while listening to your favorite tunes, book, or podcast?

If you are looking for a treatment to either speed up your healing time or to manage your chronic pain, Cold Laser therapy is an option worth considering. Check out our top choices of Cold Laser Therapy devices.