COLD OR LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY (CLT/LLLT)
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 tissueLow-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
· Sprains and Strains
· Golfer's & Tennis elbow