Cold LASER Therapy
What is Cold LASER therapy?
Cold LASER Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been widely used in Europe for over thirty five years in addition to being the subject of numerous studies with over 3,500 scientific papers published worldwide. This treatment has recently gained popularity in North America, especially among elite athletes. There have been no reported side effects to Cold Laser treatments, which are painless and non-toxic.
What foot conditions can be treated with Cold LASERs?
· Joint Pain of the ankle, midfoot, balls of feet and toes
· Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, arch pain
· Tendonitis including Achilles tendonitis
· Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
· Bursitis
· Fibromyalgia
· Strains and sprains
How does Cold LASER work?
When the light of the LASER is applied around the area of pain, the electromagnetic energy is converted to chemical energy within each cell which sets in motion a chain of chemical reactions allowing the healing process to begin. This chemical reaction in the cell allows several things to occur:
· Stimulates Healing and Repair of Tissue
· Increases Tissue Strength
· Reduces Pain as a result of increased endorphin release
· Reduces Swelling & Inflammation
· Promotes faster wound healing
· Stimulates nerve function
· Promotes Cellular Oxygenation & Detoxification
· Increases ATP and activates enzymes in the targeted cells.
· Growth factor response within the cells and tissue as a result of increased ATP and protein synthesis.
· Strengthening the immune system response by increasing levels of lymphocyte activity.
What studies support Cold LASER effectiveness?
Some of the strongest research on cold LASERs relates to their use in treating arthritis pain. The Ottawa Panel, a group of experts that creates evidence-based practice guidelines, lists cold LASER therapy among treatments it recommends for rheumatoid arthritis.
A group of subjects with chronic tendonitis, that had been previously treated unsuccessfully with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, local injections, and/or surgery, had an 87 percent success rate in pain reduction following cold LASER therapy.
In a study involving over 4,000 subjects who had suffered from conditions such as degenerative arthritis; muscle pain; tendinitis and tension myalgia. More than 80 percent of the subjects found a marked lessening of their symptoms following treatment.
In a survey of 116 Irish physiotherapists, cold LASER was ranked first for effectiveness when compared to other common treatment methods for use in pain relief and wound healing.
It is important to realize that cold LASER therapy is NOT a cure-all for all conditions. Different patients will respond differently to treatment.
Is Cold LASER Therapy painful?
No. Cold Lasers do not generate perceivable heat. Therefore, when the laser contacts the skin the patient experiences no warmth or burning as a result of the laser. Most people feel nothing at all while a few may feel a slight tingling during the treatment.
Is Cold LASER therapy safe and are there any side effects?
Cold LASER Therapy has been successfully used around the world for over 30 years, with no reported long-term side effects. In all this time there have been no recorded long-term adverse effects from its use. It is considered to be non-invasive, painless and safe.
What should patients expect with treatment?
Depending on your specific foot condition and duration of pain, 6 to 15 sessions may be required. Treatments can be performed daily or several times per week. Protective goggles must be worn during treatments. Two types of laser probes are used, one for penetration of the tissues close to the skin and one for deeper penetration of tissues. Our next generation cold laser unit consists of five cold lasers in one wand, all operating at the same time which cuts treatment time down to about 3 to 5 minutes.