Cold Laser Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue and is thought to help accelerate the healing process. It can be used on patients who suffer from a variety of acute and chronic conditions in order to help eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasms and increase functionality.
How Cold Lasers Work
Cold lasers are handheld devices used by the clinician and are often the size of a flashlight. The laser is placed directly over the injured area for 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the dose provided by the cold laser unit.
During this time, the non-thermal photons of light that are emitted from the laser pass through the skins layers (the dermis, epidermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin). This light has the ability to penetrate 2 to 5 centimeters below the skin at 90mw and 830 nm.
Once the light energy passes through the layers of skin and reaches the target area, it is absorbed and interacts with the light sensitive elements in the cell. This process can be compared to photosynthesis in plants - sunlight is absorbed by plants, which is then converted to usable energy so that the plant can grow.
When cells absorb this light energy, it initiates a series of events in the cell that is theorized to eventually result in normalizing damaged or injured tissue, a reduction in pain, inflammation, edema and an overall reduction in healing time by increasing intracellular metabolism. 1 Martin R. Laser-Accelerated Inflammation/Pain Reduction and Healing. Practical Pain Management. Nov/Dec 2003 3(6):20-25., 2 Marovino T. Cold Lasers in Pain Management. Practical Pain Management. Sep/Oct 2004. 4(6):37-42.
FAQs
It can be used on patients who suffer from a variety of acute and chronic conditions in order to help eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasms and increase functionality.
Does Medicare pay for cold laser therapy? ›
As things currently stand, Medicare does not cover cold laser therapy, but some private insurers do. As the benefits of cold laser therapy continue to be demonstrated in practice, more insurance providers are opting to cover the treatment for patients.
Do cold laser treatments really work? ›
Bottom Line. There is a mixed bag of scientific research indicating that cold laser therapy may be beneficial for pain relief in certain conditions. However, it may not be effective in improving function in musculoskeletal conditions. (And maybe the placebo effect is at play with some studies.
How long does a cold laser treatment last? ›
Treatment lengths are variable. They can last between three and 20 minutes. Before treatment begins, our chiropractor will determine the extent of your injuries and a specific treatment length. Too little time and the injury might not heal as rapidly as it should.
What are two drawbacks of laser therapy? ›
Laser therapy can result in misdirected or excessively intense burns, bleeding from the choriocapillaris, damage to macular and other ocular structures, and breaks in Bruch's membrane.
What are the negative side effects of cold laser therapy? ›
Cold laser therapy side effects may include bleeding, pain, infection, scarring, and skin color changes. These effects might not be permanent, however. If additional treatment sessions are needed, the side effects may return.
Who should not receive laser therapy? ›
Contraindications. Cold laser therapy should not be used over any suspicious cancerous lesions, or carcinoma, over the thyroid, on pregnant patients, and there should not be direct irradiation of the eyes, as the laser can cause permanent damage to the eyes.
Why is laser treatment so expensive? ›
These factors include the cost of maintenance and repair for the machines, the cost of training and certification for technicians who operate them, and the overhead costs associated with running a medical spa or clinic.
Is cold laser therapy FDA approved? ›
Cold laser therapy is an FDA approved therapy for treating soft tissue injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, tennis elbow, and more.
Does cold laser therapy help arthritis? ›
Cold laser therapy is a type of treatment that uses low levels of light to promote healing for different conditions, such as arthritis, joint pain, and muscle strains. Doctors call it a cold laser as it uses low intensity light to treat inflamed tissue and does not generate heat.
There are no known cases of overdosing on therapeutic laser.
Does cold laser therapy help neuropathy? ›
Cold Laser Therapy is painless and has been proven to decrease neuropathy, decrease inflammation and aide in the healing of wounds and tendons. Peripheral neuropathy is a frustrating, life impairing condition which is all too often inaccurately diagnosed and only treated with medications.
Does laser therapy really work for pain? ›
While you may think that it is far fetched, you can achieve pain relief with light energy from a laser. Laser light energy can stimulate nerve regeneration, relax muscles, accelerate healing in damaged tissues, and reduce inflammation and pain.
How deep does cold laser therapy go? ›
What is Cold Laser Therapy? Low-level-laser therapy harnesses and magnifies energy from the invisible spectrum of light. The therapeutic laser gives these photons of light the ability to reach tissues up to 2 inches below the skin's surface.
Does cold laser therapy help sciatica? ›
Cold laser treatment has proved to be effective in removing pain and increasing mobility from sciatica. Because of this, many medical professionals are recommending it over other traditional treatments.
Does cold therapy reduce pain? ›
Cryotherapy literally means cold therapy. When you press a bag of frozen peas on a swollen ankle or knee, you are treating your pain with a modern (although basic) version of cryotherapy. Cold therapy can be applied in different ways. That can include ice packs, coolant sprays, ice massage, whirlpools, and ice baths.
How long does it take for a cold sore to heal with laser treatment? ›
Two days with laser treatment. Patients often report that cold sores begin to heal immediately after treatment. Three to four days with ointment or cream. Two to four weeks without any treatment.
What does cold laser do to your muscles? ›
Laser Therapy improves blood flow in muscles, ligaments, and joints while increasing circulation, helping flush toxins, speed recovery, and minimize muscle soreness. Cold laser treatments can improve performance while reducing recovery times.
Is cold therapy good for chronic pain? ›
Experts believe that cold therapy can reduce swelling that is tied to pain. It may also reduce sensitivity to pain. Cold therapy may be particularly effective when you are managing pain with swelling. This is especially useful around a joint or tendon.
