Class IV Cold Laser Therapy
Cold Laser Therapy is a relatively new technology compared to many alternative therapies. The first Cold Laser was FDA cleared in 2001. Over 4000 studies have been conducted in recent years to validate the effectiveness of Cold Laser Therapy. The FCRC has evolved its services to include Cold Laser Therapy and has experienced tremendous success in the treatment of our patients.
In general, cold lasers can be used in 2 distinct ways:
- Targeting trigger points
- Broad coverage of tissue and bone to reduce pain and stimulate healing
Cold Laser Therapy offers a non-intrusive, non-addicting treatment option to acupuncture, surgery and pain medications and widely used for treatment of the following conditions:
- Acute and Chronic Pain
- Ligament Sprains
- Muscle Strain
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Tennis Elbow
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Back Pain
- Bursitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
Healing With Cold Lasers
The cold laser produces an impulse of light at a specific wavelength (usually 600 to 980nm) that minimizes reflection and scattering but maximized absorption of the energy (in photons) at a desired depth.
The goal of laser therapy is to deliver light energy units from red and infrared laser radiation, called photons, to damaged cells. It is the consensus of experts is that photons absorbed by the cells through laser therapy stimulate the mitochondria to accelerate production of ATP. This biochemical increase in cell energy is used to transform live cells from a state of illness to a stable, healthy state.
Benefits of Cold Lasers
- Easy to Apply
- Extremely Safe
- Non-Toxic
- Non-Invasive
- No Side Effects
- No Pain
- Cost Effective
- Highly Effective (more than 90% efficacy)
- Superior alternative to analgesics, NSAID's and other medications
- Reduces the need for surgery
- Works synergistically with other modalities like Chiropractic and PT
General Therapeutic Laser Biological Effects
- Increased Cell Growth: Laser photons accelerates cellular reproduction and growth.
- Increased Metabolic Activity: Photons initiate higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells and thus greater production of the basic food source for cells, Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP).
- Faster Wound Healing: Cold laser photons stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue
- Anti-Inflammatory Action: Laser photons reduce swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints resulting in enhanced joint mobility.
- Increased Vascular Activity: Laser photons induce temporary vasodilation that increases blood flow to effected areas.
- Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation: Laser photons reduce the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from: cuts, scratches, burns or post-surgery.
- Stimulated Nerve Function: Laser photon exposure speeds the process of nerve cell reconnect ion to bring the numb areas back to life.
- Pain Reduction: Almost all systems have a mode of operation specifically designed to reduce pain.
Today, Cold Lasers are used extensively in the traditional medical industry for everything from cosmetic surgery, eye surgery and heart surgery. The ability to put just the right amount of energy into a critical area of the human body has been a huge advancement in the medical field. Cold Lasers are an important addition to these other established medical laser treatments. Cold Laser Therapy will be a rapidly growing medical treatment option well into the future.
