COLD LASER THERAPY

By Erika Alpar, MSPT

The staff at Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, specifically the Physical Therapy
Department, is excited about the recent purchase of a low level laser (LLL), also known
as cold laser therapy or therapeutic laser. Cold laser therapy is a physical treatment
modality that emits photons to specifically targeted areas on the body used by our
therapists to address acute, sub-acute, and chronic pain as well as inflammation.
Administering very focused beams of light of a specific wavelength to an injured or
painful area is supposed to stimulate damaged cells to promote healing, reducing
inflammation and pain. The light energy is absorbed by cellular structures and is
converted into biological energy, inducing the processes of increased local
microcirculation, accelerated tissue repair, reduced pain, decreased inflammation, and
enhanced immune response. The word " cold" does not refer to the temperature of
the laser. Rather, the term cold laser therapy describes the fact that the laser is of low
intensity, not high intensity lasers, which can burn the skin.

Primary applications of cold laser therapy include orthopedic acute, sub-acute, and
chronic conditions such as carpaltunnel syndrome, medial and lateral epicondylitis, and
bicep tendonitis, nerve conduction disorders, acupressure trigger points, and wound
healing. ln the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, cold laser therapy has been
effective in treating paresthesia and numbness as well as improving function and nerve
conduction.

Cold laser therapy is a great addition to an overall pain management program and
treatment protocol to decrease inflammation, decrease pain, and promote tissue
healing.

References:
1. www.wiseqeek.com/what-is-cold-laser-therapy.htm
2. www.medxhealth.com