It seems like every day there is a new gadget or new technique designed to supercharge your health, but what is fact and what is gimmick? Cold Laser Therapy is a relatively new approach to therapeutic pain relief that can seem strange and fantastical to the uninitiated, but it is actually approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for several conditions. Healthline lasers in on this emerging technology in their article “Is Cold Laser Therapy Right for You?”

What is it?

Cold laser therapy uses low-intensity lasers to stimulate healing with low levels of light. It’s referred to as cold laser therapy due to the low light levels that do not heat up body tissues. It has a lower light level compared to other laser therapy types, such as those used to treat tumors and coagulate tissues. In surgical and aesthetic laser therapy, tissues are heated during treatment; however, this is not the case with cold laser therapy. Cold laser therapy can also be referred to as soft laser biostimulation, photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or low-power laser therapy (LPLT).

During application, different wavelengths and strengths of low-level light are directly applied to a specific area of the body. The body tissue absorbs the light. The red and near-infrared light trigger a reaction so that damaged cells will begin to regenerate. Superficial treatment of tissue closer to the skin is usually treated with wavelengths in the range of 600 to 700 nanometers (nm). For deeper penetration, wavelengths between 780 to 950 nm are needed. Patients receiving this treatment will feel the device touch their skin, but it doesn’t hurt, and the entire procedure is noninvasive. There is no sound, vibration or heat, and the treatment usually takes only a few minutes.

Cold Laser Therapy Uses

Chiropractors, doctors, physical therapists and other primary healthcare professionals use cold laser therapy in many ways, often for tissue repair, pain relief and reducing inflammation.

In sports chiropractic or physical therapy, cold laser therapy is effective in the treatment of minor injuries and sprains. Some such examples include pain in the neck, lower back and knees, as well as ligament sprains, muscle strain, tendonitis, bursitis, tennis elbow and pain related to muscle spasms. Reducing swelling in joints and promoting their healing, along with soft tissue, is also a common practice. For patients seeking care through Life Chiropractic Centers, this is mostly likely how cold laser therapy might be used during a care plan.

Other uses that licensed practitioners might use cold laser therapy for include skin rejuvenation in dermatology, wound healing, chronic pain and targeted inflammation relief.

Is Cold Laser Therapy for You?

Whether or not cold laser therapy could be beneficial for you and your particular health goals depends on a few factors. Ideally, it is recommended to receive cold laser therapy under the care of a licensed healthcare professional for the safest and most effective care. There are home treatment devices on the market, but they are not widely studied or evaluated for safety or effectiveness.

In terms of potential drawbacks, cold laser therapy isn’t approved for skin areas that have carcinomas or skin lesions present. Also, cold laser therapy is not a quick fix, often requiring multiple treatments per week for about a month before results begin to show. Thus, it is a treatment that will require patience from patients.