Dentists use cold lasers to treat inflamed tissues in the mouth and heal ulcerations. Physical therapists and acupuncturists often use them to stimulate acupoints without piercing the skin.
Unlike surgery or long-term prescription medication, cold laser therapy is non-invasive and painless. It’s also a quick way to start encouraging your body to heal itself!
What is it?
Unlike the high-intensity laser that surgeons use to cut tissue, the cold laser light therapy (LLLT) does not feel hot or burn the skin. Instead, the photons that are emitted by the small wand with the light-emitting diodes are absorbed by the mitochondria of your cells and activate a chain reaction to increase cellular energy aka ATP production.
As a result, healing takes place faster, which is why it is an effective pain relief treatment. It also reduces swelling, stimulates collagen synthesis and decreases fibrous scar tissue formation – all of which can improve your quality of life when traditional pain medications don’t provide adequate relief.
You can find out if you are a candidate for this unique, non-invasive treatment by scheduling an appointment with one of our providers. Call any of our Northeast Spine and Sports Medicine New Jersey locations today to speak with a friendly staff member or book your consultation online!
How does it work?
Cold laser therapy uses a wand-like device with multiple light-emitting diodes to penetrate your skin without burning or cutting. These photons boost the cells’ adenosine triphosphate production, increasing the energy that your cells use to heal themselves and reducing inflammation.
Dentists use this type of laser to treat ulcerations in the mouth, pain clinics offer it for injuries of soft tissue and joints, and acupuncturists place them on the skin instead of needles to stimulate acupoints. Veterinarians also use it to promote healing in animals after surgery or wounds.
Though the research supporting its effectiveness is limited, some health professionals consider it a viable option for people who want to avoid medications or invasive procedures. But you should discuss it with a physical therapist or other healthcare laser therapy fo professional to decide if it makes sense for your injury. You may need to receive several treatments before you see positive results. And insurance providers typically don’t cover this service because it’s considered experimental.
What are the benefits?
Cold laser therapy is a non-heating, painless treatment that uses different wavelengths of light to trigger your body’s natural healing processes. The lasers are handheld devices the size of flashlights that your physiotherapist will hold over the injured area for a few minutes.
Laser photons stimulate cell growth, which speeds up collagen synthesis in damaged tissues. This is the most abundant protein in the body and forms muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia, bones and skin. Increased collagen leads to reduced scar tissue formation. Laser photons also cause vasodilation, which increases blood flow to the injured tissue and delivers more oxygen and nutrients.
Additionally, laser photons stimulate the immune system and activate macrophages, which clear cellular debris and toxic waste from cells. The result is faster healing and less inflammation. However, cold lasers should not be used over suspicious cancerous lesions or carcinoma, over the thyroid and should never be directly irradiated into the eyes for home use.
Are there any side effects?
Cold laser therapy has been shown to have an impressive array of benefits. It helps reduce pain and speed up healing of your injuries, but the results may vary from person to person.
It’s called “cold” laser therapy because the wavelengths used aren’t strong enough to heat body tissue or cause damage. Your healthcare professional will use a small hand-held wand to touch your injured area with the laser’s light-emitting diodes.
Your body’s damaged cells respond to the laser’s light by triggering a physiological reaction that promotes regeneration and heals your injury. The laser light also causes a vasodilation, which increases blood flow and removes fluid from swollen areas, further reducing pain and inflammation.
Many companies sell cold laser devices online. It’s important to choose a certified and experienced practitioner who is familiar with the equipment and settings that work best for your injury. Using the wrong device could make your injury worse. Your doctor or physical therapist will provide training on the optimal settings for your particular needs.
