COLD OR LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY (CLT/LLLT)
Introduction
Low-level
laser light or cold laser therapy is compressed light of a wavelength
from the cold, red part of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation.
It is different from natural light in that it is one precise color; it
is coherent (it travels in a straight line), monochromatic (a single
wavelength) and polarized (it concentrates its beam in a defined
location or spot). These properties allow laser light to penetrate the
surface of the skin with no heating effect, no damage to the skin and
no known side effects. Laser light directs bio-stimulative light energy
to the body's cells. The cells then convert the light energy into
chemical energy to promote natural healing and pain relief.
The History of Laser Therapy
The
word "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated
Emission of Radiation. The theory was first described by Albert
Einstein (1879-1955), who paved the way for the development of the
therapeutic laser.
The first low-level therapeutic laser was
developed in 1962. By the end of the 1960's, Endre Mester in Hungary
was reporting an improved healing of wounds through low-level laser
radiation. Since then, scientists and doctors around the world have
been using laser light to treat conditions that can affect all age
groups.
What Is Cold Laser Therapy?
Low-level
or cold laser therapy is the application of red and near infrared light
over injuries or wounds to improve soft tissue healing and relieve both
acute and chronic pain. Low-level therapy uses cold (sub-thermal) laser
light energy to direct bio-stimulative light energy to the body's cells
without injuring or damaging them in any way. The therapy is precise
and accurate; and offers safe and effective treatment for a wide
variety of conditions. The energy range of low level laser light lies
between 1 and 500 mW (milliwatts), while for surgical lasers the energy
range lies between 3000 and 10000 mW. Our office uses the Microlight
830 device, which is a 90 mW unit.
How Does Cold Laser Therapy Work?
Low-level
lasers supply energy to the body in the form of non-thermal photons of
light. Light is transmitted through the skin's layers (the dermis,
epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin) at
all wavelengths in the visible range. However, light waves in the near
infrared ranges penetrate the deepest of all light waves in the visible
spectrum. When low level laser light waves penetrate deeply into the
skin, they optimize the immune responses of our blood. This has both
anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects similar to steroids. It
is a scientific fact that light transmitted to the blood in this way
has positive effects throughout the whole body, supplying vital oxygen
and energy to every cell.
Relieves acute and chronic pain , Reduces inflammation, Helps generate new and healthy cells and tissue
Low-level laser therapy does not require constant, ongoing treatments, as is often required with traditional chiropractic or physiotherapeutic treatments. Many acute and chronic conditions can be improved or eliminated with laser use.Conditions Treated With Cold Laser Therapy:
· Pain Relief
· Arthritis and Sport Injuries
· Migraine Headaches
· Lower back pain, Sciatica and Neck pain
· Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI)
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)-FDA Approved
· Tendonitis, Numbness/Tingling
· Fibromyalgia
· Sprains and Strains
· Golfer's & Tennis elbow