In this post, we’re going to take you through the benefits of cold laser therapy for pain relief. We’ll also explain how this treatment works and which conditions it can help, so you can decide whether it’s a good choice for you.
We’ll wrap up by explaining how Our Chiro Chiropractor Brisbane can help get you on the path to recovery with cold laser therapy.
What Is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold laser therapy (also known as “low-level laser therapy” or “LLLT”) is a laser treatment that uses low levels of light to stimulate healing. It is often used by chiropractors as part of a customised package, which may include other treatment techniques.
The reason it’s called “cold” is because the low intensity used is not enough to heat the body tissue being treated.
During treatment, a laser device emitting light waves is applied to the affected body area. Your body tissue absorbs the light, setting off a chain reaction. Your damaged cells react to the light in a process that triggers and speeds up natural healing.
What many patients love about this treatment is that it’s painless and there are no sensations of heat or vibration. It’s also quick and works well.
A review (1) that looked at a range of studies on cold laser therapy found it effective in reducing pain and inflammation. The review also suggested that it is suitable as a complementary therapy for chronic pain.
Which Conditions Is It Good For?
Cold laser therapy can be used for many common conditions, including:
- Sprain
- Strains
- Lower back pain
- Knee pain
- Neck pain
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Swelling and inflammation
What Are the Benefits of Cold Laser Therapy?
Let’s move on to the benefits of cold laser therapy.
- Promotes natural healing: Cold laser therapy stimulates the body to heal naturally. It provokes a reaction that increases blood flow to the affected area, which in turn leads to the body healing itself.
- Non-invasive: This treatment is non-invasive, which also means it has minimal side effects. Your chiropractor will apply the laser device on the affected area, but you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the process.
- Versatile: Cold laser therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, both acute and chronic.
- Reduces pain: We know from scientific research that cold laser therapy successfully reduces pain. For example, this review (2) looked at a number of trials of cold laser therapy on patients with joint pain. It concluded that cold laser therapy was effective in reducing pain.
- Reduces inflammation: Cold laser therapy also works for inflammation. This means it can be used for conditions like arthritis, as evidenced by this review (3). It found that cold laser therapy can work well as a standalone or complementary therapy for inflammatory conditions.
How Can Our Chiro Chiropractor Brisbane Help?
Looking for a chiro near me? Here at Our Chiro Brisbane, our experienced chiropractors offer a range of treatment options including cold laser therapy.
Whether you’ve had a recent injury or are living with a chronic condition, you could benefit from cold laser therapy given by one of our expert therapists.
When you come for an appointment with us, your chiropractor will assess your needs and devise a customised treatment plan to address your issues.
This can include cold laser therapy, as well as other treatments like manual manipulation or remedial massage. The goal is to find a treatment — or a combination of treatments — that works for you.
Why not contact us to find out more or book an appointment online today?
Our Chiro Brisbane is a friendly, local chiropractic clinic serving Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Newstead, Teneriffe, and surrounding areas.
References
1. Dima, R., Francio, V., Towery, C. and Davani, S. ‘Review of Literature on Low-level Laser Therapy Benefits for Nonpharmacological Pain Control in Chronic Pain and Osteoarthritis’, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2018 Sep;24(5):8-10.
2. Jang, H., and Lee, H. ‘Meta-Analysis of Pain Relief Effects by Laser Irradiation on Joint Areas’, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, Vol. 30, No. 8.
3. Wickenheisser, V., Zywot, E., Rabjohns, E., Lee, H., Lawrence, D. and Tarrant, T. ‘Laser Light Therapy in Inflammatory, Musculoskeletal, and Autoimmune Disease’, Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 2019 Jul 2; 19(8): 37. Doi: 10.1007/s11882-019-0869-z.
