Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy uses a handheld device about the size of a flashlight that emits low-level (power) laser to the body at a specific wavelength
in order to relieve pain or stimulate healing.
Wavelengths between 632 nm and 905 nm penetrate through the skin, and soft tissues deep enough (2-5 centimeters) to where the light can affect pain, inflammation and tissue repair.
Cold laser therapy has other names including: photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy, low-power laser therapy, and laser biostimulation.
Patients with muscle injuries like sprains and strains, aches, pains, or who are looking for accelerated wound healing would be candidates for cold laser therapy.
Cold Laser Therapy has roots the early 1900s but it wasn’t until 1967 where a surgical professor in Hungary, Endre Mester, was able to document the first therapeutic effects with laser therapy.
Wavelengths between 632 nm and 905 nm penetrate through the skin, and soft tissues deep enough (2-5 centimeters) to where the light can affect pain, inflammation and tissue repair.
[2]
Trusted Source
MedCrave Online Journal of Orthopedics & Rheumatology
Peer-reviewed journal
Written by experts
Go to sourceCold laser therapy has other names including: photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy, low-power laser therapy, and laser biostimulation.
Patients with muscle injuries like sprains and strains, aches, pains, or who are looking for accelerated wound healing would be candidates for cold laser therapy.
Cold Laser Therapy has roots the early 1900s but it wasn’t until 1967 where a surgical professor in Hungary, Endre Mester, was able to document the first therapeutic effects with laser therapy.
[3]
Trusted Source
Academic textbook
Backed by various research articles
Written for professionals
Go to sourceCold laser works by super charging the mitochondria in our bodies. This makes it easier for our bodies to generate energy FASTER and for use in specific functions in healing.
Benefits of cold laser therapy include:
Accelerated tissue repair and cell growth.
Little particles of light called photons are generated in cold laser therapy. These photons flood the cells with energy so they can get nutrients faster and get rid of waste. When the cells found in tendons, ligaments and muscles are hit with cold laser therapy, damaged areas heal faster.
Faster wound healing.
Cold laser therapy stimulates fibroblasts,
keratinocytes,
[6]
endothelial cells
and lymphocytes.
These cells are what make collagen which is very important in repairing damaged tissue.
Trusted Source
Lasers in Medical Science
Peer-reviewed journal
Internationally recognized journal
Leading journal in the field
Go to sourceReducing inflammation.
Cold laser therapy can activate the lymphatic drainage system within a few hours or days
[2]
which results, in a reduction of swelling typically caused by bruising or inflammation.
Trusted Source
MedCrave Online Journal of Orthopedics & Rheumatology
Peer-reviewed journal
Written by experts
Go to sourceDecreased pain.
Improved nerve function.
Cold laser therapy stimulates nerve signals which can help nerve cells reconnect in order to optimize muscle action and reduce nerve pain.
Patients commonly seek cold laser therapy for:
Cold laser therapy is very safe and does not have any long-term side effects. Since cold laser therapy uses a low-power light, treatments are painless, but cold laser therapy isn’t for everyone.
Your doctor might caution against cold laser therapy if:
You do not need to do anything special in order to prepare for cold laser therapy. There are no diet or medication restrictions before or after treatment.
During the initial visit, your chiropractor will ask questions about your problem and do an exam. After the exam, your chiropractor will give you a diagnosis, discuss treatment options, answer any questions you may have, or refer you out to another healthcare provider.
The initial visit is the longest due to the need for examination. Subsequent visits are much shorter.
The goals of the evaluation include:
Specific tests/procedures you may undergo include:
During cold laser therapy, the practitioner applies a laser device that outputs different wavelengths
Treatment in one region takes about 5-15 minutes.
[2]
and energy levels of light directly to the problematic area. The cells in the area absorb the light and energy and promotes healing.
Trusted Source
MedCrave Online Journal of Orthopedics & Rheumatology
Peer-reviewed journal
Written by experts
Go to sourceTreatment in one region takes about 5-15 minutes.
In some cases, there may be a temporary increase in symptoms. This is normal and does not indicate injury, it is a sign of healing.
Cold laser therapy is cumulative; so, each session builds upon the previous one. Typically, acute injuries are treated 2- 3 times a week
Most patients should be able to return to normal activities immediately after cold laser therapy and there are no special precautions after.
Cold laser therapy is cumulative; so, each session builds upon the previous one. Typically, acute injuries are treated 2- 3 times a week
[3]
and chronic injuries are treated 2 times a week, then 1-2 times a week.
Trusted Source
Academic textbook
Backed by various research articles
Written for professionals
Go to source
[3]
Trusted Source
Academic textbook
Backed by various research articles
Written for professionals
Go to sourceMost patients should be able to return to normal activities immediately after cold laser therapy and there are no special precautions after.
There have been over 2000 research studies done showing the various benefits of cold laser therapy.
A systematic review and meta-analysis done in 2017 concluded that cold laser therapy is effective at reducing pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
Cold laser therapy treatments are cumulative. Patients typically start to see results in 10-30 treatments depending on condition and severity.
A systematic review and meta-analysis done in 2017 concluded that cold laser therapy is effective at reducing pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
[15]
Trusted Source
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
Peer-reviewed journal
Non-profit journal
Go to sourceCold laser therapy treatments are cumulative. Patients typically start to see results in 10-30 treatments depending on condition and severity.
In order to back up the information in our articles, Arizona Chiropractic & Holistic Health Center exclusively cites high-quality sources such as peer-reviewed research. We strive to provide accurate, dependable, and trustworthy content based on the best evidence avaliable.
- Bjordal, J. M., Lopes-Martins, R. A., Joensen, J., Couppe, C., Ljunggren, A. E., Stergioulas, A., & Johnson, M. I. (2008). A systematic review with procedural assessments and meta-analysis of Low Level Laser Therapy in lateral elbow tendinopathy (tennis elbow). BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-9-75
- B Cotler, H. (2015). The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain. MOJ Orthopedics & Rheumatology, 2(5). https://doi.org/10.15406/mojor.2015.02.00068
- Turchin, C. (2011). Light and Laser Therapy: Clinical Procedures. Independent Publisher. ISBN13 978-0998391007
- K-LaserUSA. (2009). K-LaserUSA Training Manual and Treatment Atlas. Franklin, TN. K-LaserUSA, LLC.
- Frigo, L., Fávero, G. M., Lima, H. J. C., Maria, D. A., Bjordal, J. M., Joensen, J., Iversen, V. V., Marcos, R. L., Parizzoto, N. A., & Lopes-Martins, R. A. B. (2010). Low-Level Laser Irradiation (InGaAlP-660 nm) Increases Fibroblast Cell Proliferation and Reduces Cell Death in a Dose-Dependent Manner. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 28(S1), S-151. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2008.2475
- Basso, F. G., Oliveira, C. F., Kurachi, C., Hebling, J., & Costa, C. A. D. S. (2012). Biostimulatory effect of low-level laser therapy on keratinocytes in vitro. Lasers in Medical Science, 28(2), 367–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-012-1057-8
- Jaafar, M. K., & Al-Tamemi, E. I. (2014). Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor - Beta on Osseointegration of CpTi Implant Radiated by Low Level Laser Therapy. Journal of Baghdad College of Dentistry, 26(2), 79–86. https://jbcd.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/jbcd/article/view/454
- Agaiby, A. D., Ghali, L. R., Wilson, R., & Dyson, M. (2000). Laser modulation of angiogenic factor production by T-lymphocytes. Lasers in surgery and medicine, 26(4), 357–363. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(2000)26:4<357::aid-lsm3>3.0.co;2-o
- Moore, P., Ridgway, T. D., Higbee, R. G., Howard, E. W., & Lucroy, M. D. (2005). Effect of wavelength on low-intensity laser irradiation-stimulated cell proliferation in vitro. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 36(1), 8–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20117
- Brosseau, L., Welch, V., Wells, G. A., de Bie, R., Gam, A., Harman, K., Morin, M., Shea, B., & Tugwell, P. (2005). Low level laser therapy (Classes I, II and III) for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2010(7). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd002049.pub2
- Stausholm, M. B., Naterstad, I. F., Joensen, J., Lopes-Martins, R. L. B., Sæbø, H., Lund, H., Fersum, K. V., & Bjordal, J. M. (2019). Efficacy of low-level laser therapy on pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials. BMJ Open, 9(10), e031142. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031142
- Hopkins, J. T., McLoda, T. A., Seegmiller, J. G., & David Baxter, G. (2004). Low-Level Laser Therapy Facilitates Superficial Wound Healing in Humans: A Triple-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study. Journal of athletic training, 39(3), 223–229. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15496990/
- Tumilty, S., Munn, J., McDonough, S., Hurley, D. A., Basford, J. R., & Baxter, G. D. (2010). Low Level Laser Treatment of Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 28(1), 3–16. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2008.2470
- North American Association for Laser Therapy. (2010, June 4-6). Safety and Contraindications [Consensus Meeting]. 10th Annual Conference, West Palm Beach, Fl, United States.
- Clijsen, R., Brunner, A., Barbero, M., Clarys, P., & Taeymans, J. (2017). Effects of low-level laser therapy on pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 53(4). https://doi.org/10.23736/s1973-9087.17.04432-x