Cold Laser for Pain

In 2002, after decades of successful use of cold laser therapy for pain management in Europe and Asia, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved cold laser therapy as a safe and effective solution for pain and inflammation.

Significance

• Chronic pain from musculoskeletal conditions or injury can significantly affect the quality of daily life. Oral pain medications often have risks and side effects. Cold lasers offer an effective way of relieving pain without complications or side effects.

Features

• Without the use of heat or high energy (which can burn or damage tissue), cold laser therapy involves the use of low-level energy lasers, delivered in multiple panels from an overhead or hand-held device that targets the affected area. Procedures are brief, painless, and are free of downtime or recovery time.

How It Works

• Cold lasers work by penetrating the skin surface to reach the affected cells deep in the soft tissues. The low-energy stimulates the cells' mitochondria and triggers cell functions that reduce cell abnormality (which causes pain and inflammation), and accelerate healing.

Benefits

• Healing continues after treatment sessions. Unlike other types of laser treatment, cold lasers do not use heat or high energy, so there is no risk of burning or tissue damage. Patients benefit from pain reduction without side effects or risks, which come with medications and surgical treatments.

Drawbacks

• The only significant drawback of cold laser treatment is that it requires multiple, consistent treatments, and may require eight to 30 treatment sessions for full effects, depending on the patient's condition.