Low Level Laser Therapy, also known as Cold Laser Therapy, is something you may have heard of when searching for non-invasive pain relief and treatment methods. It can seem iffy to some people – after all, it uses lasers, which are known to be able to cut through tissue, and it is a fairly new treatment. This makes people wonder whether or not Low Level Laser Therapy works and if it’s a treatment method that you can trust.
Over 2000 studies have been published all over the world that show LLLT is safe. Low Level Laser Therapy works to treat a wide array of issues, including pain relief, decreased inflammation, sped up bone repair, and more. Here’s what you need to know about Low Level Laser Therapy and how it works.
What Is Low Level Laser Therapy?
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) goes by several other names, including: cold laser therapy, soft laser therapy, low intensity light therapy, and photobiomodulation (PBMT). This type of laser is different from what surgeons use – you don’t need to worry about it cutting through your tissues. This is because it operates at a lower wavelength, so it doesn’t emit heat like higher intensity lasers do, hence why LLLT is often referred to as cold laser therapy.
LLLT is a type of treatment that uses light radiation in order to accelerate your body’s natural healing process. While Low Level Laser Therapy works with lasers that aren’t strong enough to cut your skin, they are strong enough to penetrate it, which helps them improve your blood flow, decrease inflammation, and promote healing after an injury.
How Does Low Level Laser Therapy Work?
Low Level Laser Therapy works by beaming light energy over the skin of the affected area of your body in order to stimulate your cells’ mitochondria (the powerhouse). When the mitochondria absorbs the particles of light from the laser, this gives it an energy boost. Through the process of light passing through your skin and being absorbed, this fuels the cellular processes in your body, which thus triggers chemical changes to help your tissues regrow and heal, as well as help damaged cells.
There is no damage to your healthy tissue or cells with LLLT. Think of the process of how Low Level Laser Therapy works as similar to photosynthesis – plants absorb sunlight in order to convert it into energy so they can grow, right? When your cells absorb the light energy from the cold laser, it then uses that to increase intracellular metabolism. This results in effects such as: reduced pain, improved tissue growth, improved circulation, better cell communication, and more.
Conditions Cold Laser Therapy Treats
Low Level Laser Therapy works to treat quite a few different conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Tennis elbow
- Carpal tunnel
- Fibromyalgia
- Menstrual pain
- Muscle strains
- Tendonitis
- Joint pain
- Bursitis
- Soft tissue injuries
- Bone healing
- Wound healing
- Blood pressure
- And more
Benefits Of LLLT
This treatment method is on the rise for good reason as more and more studies are done to show its effectiveness and more and more people learn about the benefits of cold laser therapy. Some of the benefits of LLLT include:
- It is a non-invasive procedure.
- It’s safe and typically painless.
- There is no prolonged recovery time.
- It doesn’t involve taking medications.
- It has no recovery time.
- It has no side effects.
- It’s an outpatient treatment.
- It accelerates tissue repair.
- It increases your blood flow.
- It reduces swelling.
- It reduces pain by increasing your body’s production of endorphins.
- It increases lymph drainage, which helps with circulation and healing.
- It speeds up bone repair.
- It re-energizes your cells to let more nutrients in.
- It releases tight muscles.
- It speeds up wound healing.
As you can see, there are many benefits of Low Level Laser Therapy. It’s important to note that while some people notice immediate relief, it can take several treatments in order to see how Low Level Laser Therapy works to promote your body’s natural healing process and find long-lasting relief. Results of LLLT vary depending on the cause of your pain, any other health conditions that you have, and the approach and dose used. LLLT shouldn’t be done if you are pregnant or if you have cancer or epilepsy.
Are You Interested In Low Level Laser Therapy?
Health And Wellness Clinic offer Low Level Laser Therapy among our treatment options. Our chiropractors are trained in how to use this treatment method. Our treatments don’t take very long, but over time, they can provide you with long-lasting relief that can help you to avoid surgery and treat the root cause of your pain. Contact us today to learn more!