What’s cold laser therapy?
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Cold laser therapy is low-intensity laser therapy that stimulates healing while using low levels of light.
The technique is called “cold” laser therapy because the low levels of light aren’t enough to heat your body’s tissue. The level of light is low when compared to other forms of laser therapy, such as those used to destroy tumors and coagulate tissue.
Surgical and aesthetic lasers heat the tissue being treated. True to its name, cold laser therapy does not.
Cold laser therapy is also known as:
During this procedure, different wavelengths and outputs of low-level light are applied directly to a targeted area. The body tissue then absorbs the light. The red and near-infrared light cause a reaction, and the damaged cells respond with a physiological reaction that promotes regeneration.
Superficial tissue is commonly treated with wavelengths between 600 and 700 nanometers (nm). For deeper penetration, wavelengths between 780 and 950 nm are used.
Although you’ll feel the laser device touching your skin, the procedure is painless and noninvasive. There will be no sound and you’ll feel no vibration or heat. Each treatment typically takes only a few minutes.
Doctors, dentists, physical therapists, and other medical professionals use cold laser therapy in a variety of ways. The main uses for cold laser therapy are tissue repair and relief from pain and inflammation.
Sports medicine and physical therapy practices often use cold laser therapy in the treatment of minor injuries and sprains, such as:
It’s also used to help reduce swelling and promote healing of the joints and soft tissue.
Dentists use cold lasers to treat inflamed tissues in the mouth and to heal ulcerations. Doctors use it to treat inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other chronic autoimmune diseases.
Pain clinics use cold laser therapy to help people with acute or chronic pain from conditions such as fibromyalgia and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Cold laser therapy is used to encourage skin rejuvenation. Dermatologists use it to treat various skin problems, including:
Cold laser therapy is also used to treat difficult-to-heal wounds, including wounds related to diabetes.
Acupuncturists use cold laser therapy for clients who are uncomfortable with needles. The low-level laser beams can stimulate your acupoints the same way needles do, but without piercing your skin.
The potential for new applications for cold laser therapy is virtually limitless. Researchers are studying its use in hopes that it can help treat a variety of ailments and conditions, including:
The use of cold laser therapy is growing in traditional medical practice and as a complementary or alternative therapy. It’s approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a number of conditions.
Cold laser therapy is considered safe when performed under the care of a doctor or qualified practitioner. On the plus side, it’s also noninvasive and painless. It doesn’t require medication or other preparation either.
That being said, cold laser therapy shouldn’t be used on carcinomas or cancerous lesions. It should also be avoided on the thyroid or eyes for home use. Since the effect of cold laser therapy on unborn children is unknown, it’s suggested that pregnant women avoid this type of treatment.
One of the drawbacks of this therapy may be time. While each cold laser therapy session only takes a few minutes, it may take as long as a month (with as many as four treatments a week) before you can gauge its effectiveness.
It also may not be covered by your insurance.
Cold laser therapy devices are readily available to use at home. If you’re considering purchasing a device for home use, there are a few important things to consider.
First, lasers vary in their output and some may not have the output they claim. Some are actually nonlaser light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Second, some cold therapy products sold for home use make bold claims about what they can do.
Some are marketed to help you lose weight, stop smoking, or grow hair. Others advertise they can treat migraines, high blood pressure, or other problems such as wrinkles. Some of these claims may be unsubstantiated.
Shop for cold laser therapy products.
Millions of Americans suffer from muscle and joint pain. According to a study published in March , health care spending increased from an estimated $1.4 trillion in to $3.1 trillion in . Among the conditions included in the study, back and neck pain had the highest amount of health care spending, followed by other musculoskeletal disorders. In other words, the need for pain-relieving treatment has been on the rise for quite some time.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Best Home Cold Laser Therapy Devices. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
One way to help patients find relief from inflammation and pain is to use laser therapy. The American College of Physicians strongly recommends that clinicians use non-pharmacological treatments such as laser therapy to treat conditions like chronic low back pain. Laser therapy can positively affect musculoskeletal pain and help patients feel better and heal faster. By using laser therapy, physicians can treat patients effectively and avoid prescribing opioids or surgery for pain.
Doctors can offer laser treatment by applying cold or hot lasers. The main difference between cold and hot lasers is maximum power output. However, greater power also increases the risk of injury. It’s worth weighing the pros and cons of hot and cold lasers, so you can choose a device you’re comfortable using and that will offer the most significant benefits to your patients.
In this post, we’ll explore what laser therapy is and how hot lasers differ from cold ones. If you need assistance selecting a cold laser for your practice, we’ll be happy to assist you at Erchonia.
First, to understand how laser therapy works, it’s essential to know what lasers are. Lasers are beams of light that travel at specific frequencies. Light is composed of photons, which are particles consisting of electromagnetic radiation. During laser therapy, a physician places a handheld laser device to the patient’s skin or directly above the affected area. The photons penetrate the skin and underlying tissues, triggering cellular activity and resulting in pain relief, muscle relaxation, decreased inflammation and tissue regeneration. Using lasers to treat pain is called photobiomodulation.
Physicians can use laser therapy can treat a vast range of musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
Laser therapy is also used in veterinary care to treat arthritis and soft-tissue injuries and promote healing after surgery.
Laser therapy is beneficial in treating musculoskeletal conditions for the following reasons:
Hot lasers are known as Class IV lasers. Class IV lasers have a power output above 500 milliwatts (mW). At a lower power range, hot lasers are used for therapeutic purposes. Higher-intensity Class IV lasers can cut tissue during surgical procedures. Class IV lasers are called hot lasers because they can rapidly increase tissue temperatures.
Doctors might prefer hot laser therapy, also called high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), to quickly provide topical heating for tissue and muscle relaxation. This allows physicians to help patients feel temporary relief. Depending on a patient’s needs and condition, they may start feeling better only after a couple of HILT sessions. However, patients with severe injuries or chronic pain may need additional treatments.
Cold lasers are also known as low-level lasers, and they are among Class II and Class III lasers. Cold lasers have a power output of less than 500 mW. These lasers are called “cold” because they do not generate a thermal effect.
Using cold lasers for therapy is often referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT). While cold lasers use less power than Class IV lasers, they have a broader range of FDA market clarences. Physicians apply cold laser to the treatment areas for several minutes, normally ranging from 5-20 minute sessions. They can treat multiple points in a single session, which makes this method especially efficient for patients seeking treatment.
LLLT is nothing new. According to an article published in the MedCrave Online Journal of Orthopedics and Rheumatology, LLLT has been shown to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain, and promote healing in musculoskeletal conditions for over 40 years.
Recent studies continue to support the benefits of LLLT. For example, a meta-analysis from examined published randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effects of LLLT on fibromyalgia. The researchers concluded that LLLT is a safe and effective treatment for fibromyalgia.
Another meta-analysis from reviewed randomized controlled trials to determine if LLLT is an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis. According to the study’s researchers, LLLT significantly reduces heel pain, and its results last for three months after treatment.
A study published in the Journal of Pain and Relief explored the use of the Erchonia FX 635 Class II laser on low back pain. The study found patients continued to experience decreased pain 12 months after treatment. The researchers concluded that LLLT effectively treats low back pain and is a safer alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and opioids.
Chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons and other health care providers might choose LLLT to safely treat their patients’ pain or inflammation without the risks associated with more powerful lasers.
Veterinarians may also use LLLT to treat dogs with chronic pain and conditions like osteoarthritis. According to a study published in March , preliminary findings suggest that LLLT improves the quality of life for dogs with osteoarthritis and increases client satisfaction.
Class IV lasers are categorized by the FDA under product code “ILY”. This category started as a heating pad and has expanded to thermal lasers, which are intended to “provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature for temporary relief of muscle and joint pain and stiffness, arthritis pain, or muscle spasm, the temporary increase in local blood circulation and/or promoting relaxation of the muscle”.
LLLT is a non-thermal process and classified under FDA product code NHN, powered light-based laser non-thermal instrument with non-heating effect for adjunctive use in pain therapy. Blinded and controlled trials are required for new 510(k) indications. LLLT is FDA cleared for Neck & Shoulder, Carpal Tunnel, Plantar Fasttiss, knee, low back, and overall nociceptive musculoskeletal pain.
An article published by Harvard Medical School titled “Biphasic Dose Response in Low-Level Light Therapy” concludes LLLT delivered at low doses tends to work better than the same wavelength delivered at high levels, which illustrates the basic concept of biphasic dose response or hormesis.
If you’re considering investing in a therapeutic laser, there are plenty of factors to consider other than whether a laser is hot or cold. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to select a laser device that meets your needs. To help you through the process, here are some factors to consider and questions to ask yourself:
If you’re a health care provider searching for a safe and effective way to help your patients recover from musculoskeletal injuries and pain, laser therapy is an excellent alternative to medications and surgery. Cold laser therapy allows you to treat patients effectively without the risks associated with high-intensity lasers.
At Erchonia, we can help you select a cold laser device to meet your needs. As a developer and manufacturer of low-level lasers, we are committed to advancing LLLT through clinical and scientific research. We are continually innovating to ensure we offer the high-quality technology clinicians and patients expect.
We offer several types of laser devices designed to relieve pain and treat various musculoskeletal conditions. For example, our XLR8 handheld laser uses LLLT to stimulate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and reduce oxidative stress. Health care providers can use the XLR8 to treat chronic pain, providing a safe alternative to pain medications. The cordless handheld design also makes transporting the device between rooms easier, which reduces setup time and increases productivity.
Our FX 635 laser is the world’s first laser designed to treat chronic low back pain. Using low-level laser technology, the FX 635 reduces inflammation and promotes recovery allowing your patients to finally find relief from back pain. It can offer targeted and precise relief due to its laser diode arms, and it can work well alongside other treatments like muscle massages.
If you’re ready to find a dependable product from the leader of LLLT technology, let us know. Contact us today for information about our low-level lasers, or check out our clinical research to learn more.
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For more information, please visit FDA Approved Cold Laser Therapy Device.