Podiatrist - Poughkeepsie
22 Fairmont Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
(845) 454-0630
Cold Laser Therapy
What is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold Laser Therapy, or Low Level Laser Therapy (3LT), is light or photon energy with the unique property of being able to penetrate up to 2 inches below the skin surface causing an increase in cellular metabolism with no tissue damage whatsoever. 3LT increases the production of ATP (the cells' chemical fuel) in the mitochondria (the cells' engine). With more energy available, the cell may utilize this fuel to function or operated more efficiently.
View an animation on Cold Laser Therapy below:
How does it work?
During the cold laser process, the body's cells are exposed to photon energy, which in turn increases the cells' metabolism, helps to develop muscle tissue and collagen, improves blood circulation, stimulates tissue repair and the healing of wounds, and stimulates the nervous and immune systems.
The health benefits of cold laser therapy can be roughly divided into three categories:
1) Reduce inflammation
2) Reduce pain
3) Accelerate tissue repair
Reduce Inflammation
Immediately after an acute injury, the body undergoes a complex series of reactions designed to stop bleeding and initiate the tissue repair process. This process normally includes edema, inflammation, and pain. These reactions are designed to protect the damaged area while the body repairs itself. 3LT has been shown to reduce inflammation by increasing the amount of vaso-dilating and anti-inflammatory compounds such as prostaglandin PGI2. It has also been shown to reduce Interleukin 1 (IL-1), a pro-inflammation component that is connected to inflammatory diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis.
Reduce Pain
Laser treatments have been shown to stimulate increased levels of beta-endorphins. B-endorphins are neuropeptides that serve as natural analgesics to reduce pain.
Accelerate Tissue Repair
To speed tissue repair, laser light affects the mitochondria. The mitochondria is the part of the cell responsible for producing ATP (adeno-triphosphate); the chemical energy of the cell. Laser light has been shown to greatly accelerate the production of ATP, thus speeding up the overall activity of the cell. In cells responsible for repairing tissue, including bone, muscle, ligament, skin, and even nerves, this results in an increase rate of repair.
What conditions can be treated?
3LT has been successfully used to treat many conditions such as acute and chronic pain reduction, repetitive stress disorders like carpel tunnel syndrome, soft tissue strains and sprains, inflammation reduction, enhanced tissue wound healing and cell regeneration.
Are there any side effects?
There are over 1500 published studies and not one of them mentions any negative side effects of semi-conductor diode lasers at the 5 milliwatt range.
What makes one laser different than another?
A laser can differ in its wavelength, power source or whether it is continuous or pulsed wave form. The first lasers were used to cut, cauterize or ablate tissue and were classified as "hot" lasers. "Cold", "Low Energy" or "Low Level" lasers are used to enhance metabolic activity at the cellular level through non-thermal reactions.
What is a wavelength? Do the different wavelengths matter?
Light is measured in wavelengths. Different wavelengths have different energy levels and can have various effects on tissue. Lasers found within the "red" spectrum of visible light ("long" wavelengths) have anabolic tissue effects, where as radiation that has wavelengths in the "short" range (ultraviolet, gamma rays, x-rays) have an ionizing effect on cells and can be harmful even in small doses. By definition, lasers used for cold-laser therapy range in power from 5 to 500 milliwatts (0.005 to 0.5 Watts). Lasers less than 5 milliwatts lack the power to induce a bio-stimulatory effect, while lasers greater than 500 milliwatts may cause excessive heating and burn the skin. To put this in perspective, laser pointers that can be purchased at your local drug-store range between 1 and 5 milliwatts. Lasers used for surgery, however, range from 5 to 50 Watts.
Lasers are now being made in virtually every color of the rainbow. Which colors heal?
Cold-laser therapy systems are available in several different wavelengths (colors). They range from green (532 nm) to red (650 nm) to near infra-red (750 to 950 nm). What color is best? A lot depends on what you are trying to heal. Each color reacts differently with the body. Green laser light, for example, is very quickly adsorbed by the skin and blood and can be used only to help heal surface wounds such as bed-sores or diabetic ulcers. Red lasers can penetrate more deeply, but are still generally used for surface conditions such as burns, acne, and hair restoration. IR (infra-red) lasers penetrate much deeper and are used to help heal muscle, ligament, and even bone. Some systems will combine lasers of different wavelengths into a cluster to increase their range of uses.
What is the difference between Lasers and LED's (light emitting diodes)?
A laser is defined as a device that produces intense radiation in the visible or near visible wavelengths. Laser light is unique in that it is close to one specific wavelength and propagates in-phase; meaning that all of the electro-magnetic waves oscillate together in an ordered and aligned way. Together, these conditions make up the term coherency. When the coherent light is columnated, it can travel vast distances with very little loss of power or scattering. While LED's can produce light of single color (wavelength), the light is neither in-phase nor can it be easily columnated. Lasers are also capable of producing much higher power than LED's.
How long are the treatments?
Treatments can vary in time from seconds to minutes depending on the condition. Studies show that there may be a dose dependent response, so it may be more effective to treat at lower doses at multiple intervals then to treat a single time with a high dose.
How long does treatment last?
A treatment plan may vary depending on the condition. For instance, an acute soft tissue injury or open wound may require multiple short treatments initially then the interval between treatments will lengthen as the condition improves.
