Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), commonly called “cold” laser, has been used worldwide for over 40 years to relieve pain, remove scars, heal wounds, and regenerate nerves. Lasers can be used for acute and chronic pain as well as pre- and post- operative healing and pain. Erchonia was the first company to receive FDA clearance through clinical trials and is the laser used in our office.
LLLT works at the cellular level. Unlike heat lasers which are used in surgery to cut tissue, the cold laser does not generate heat or destroy tissue. Instead, it stimulates healing. It causes the cells to produce a chemical called ATP that is required to run the body and necessary for healing to occur, just like gasoline for a car. LLLT stimulates the cells to produce more ATP, causing the cells to heal faster, reducing inflammation, and reducing pain.
Laser Therapy has been FDA cleared for use with Neck and Heel Pain, but it has also shown great clinical results with:
- Spinal Pain
- Headaches/Migraines
- Acute/Chronic Concussion Syndromes
- Shoulder Pain
- Knee Pain
- Foot Pain
- Herniated Discs/Sciatica
- Shingles/Herpes Zoster
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Tendonitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Are Lasers Safe
Not all lasers are the same. Research demonstrates that lasers in the range of 630-830nm and dose levels ranging from 0.5-10 J/cm2 to be optimum for health benefits. These types of lasers are non-ionizing, non-heat producing and non-harmful. Lasers have been shown to be safer and more effective than many drugs and surgery.
How Many Treatments will it Take
Many patients may see improvement with just one treatment; however, we typically recommend starting with 6-8 treatments to maximize the anti-inflammatory effects.