With our advancing digital age, the medical sector gets access to many innovative treatment solutions for even the most complicated ailments. One such innovation is cold laser therapy; this entails low-level light for pain relief, inflammation, and more.
Many manufacturers, such as Berman Medical Lasers, design and distribute medical laser equipment for various healthcare needs, practices, and businesses. That said, the treatment is still in its infancy. But its infinite potential for applications continues to drive researchers.
At present, the treatment has various pros and cons against alternative therapies. Here are some of them for you to consider if you seek cold laser therapy:
What is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive alternate form of treatment that stimulates healing within the body’s tissues using low-level light. The specific wavelengths used are low enough not to heat the tissues, so the treatment is called ‘cold’ laser therapy.
The levels of light are also lower than the wavelengths used to destroy tumors and coagulate tissues. Surgical and aesthetic lasers heat the targeted tissue, but cold laser therapy does not.
Conversely, it is also known as:
- Low-level laser therapy
- Low-power laser therapy
- Photobiomodulation
- Soft laser bio-stimulation
How Does it Work?
With cold laser therapy, doctors use different wavelengths and outputs of low-level light to the damaged tissue. The tissue absorbs the light rays, where the red and near-infrared light stimulates a reaction. A physiological response starts within the affected cells that promote regeneration, thereby healing the wound.
For superficial tissues, healthcare specialists recommend wavelengths between 600nm-700nm. But deeper penetration into the tissue layers requires wavelengths between 780nm-950nm. That said, the treatment is non-invasive and painless. Meaning, it doesn’t require puncturing the skin to reach the damaged tissue.
Pros & Cons of Cold Laser Treatment
Here are some pros and cons of cold laser therapy to consider:
Pros
- Non-Invasive – with no needles and no scalpels, you can avoid surgical scars and accidental damage during surgery.
- No Need for Medicines – aside from regular doses of laser therapy, you don’t need other antibiotics or pain medicines with your treatment.
Cons
- Time Consuming – the procedure is incredibly time-consuming and may require months of treatment before you experience any relief.
- Expensive – insurance companies don’t cover cold laser therapy, and if they do, it’s only partially. Thus, it can be costly in the long-run.
