Things to know about Cold Laser Therapy:

Cold laser therapy, whose specific name is Low-Intensity Laser Therapy, is a medical treatment that uses low-power laser with various objectives. The most common being the treatment of pain and inflammation. It can sometimes also be seen by other names, such as LPLT (Low-Power Laser Therapy).

The development of cold laser therapy began in 1967 at the hands of Endre Mester, a student at the University of Semmelweis (Hungary), who experimented with the effect of low-intensity laser on the skin of mice with skin cancer. The name cold laser does not refer to the temperature of the laser itself, but rather to the high-intensity laser that can burn skin and tissues.

Clinical applications:

The most widespread clinical application of cold laser device therapy is pain relief. It is generally used within a pain control program in patients with chronic diseases that present with inflammatory conditions, especially those that affect the locomotor system: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, or muscle contractions.

This laser treatment is generally not recommended as a substitute for other treatments and is not recommended for use without medical supervision.

In the field of acupuncture, some practitioners have suggested that cold laser therapy can be used in the same way as acupuncture and acupressure if the laser is directed at specific points on the body for stimulation. This type of laser therapy is called laser acupuncture.

Some studies suggest that it may be effective in promoting wound healing, in the treatment of chronic periodontitis or infection around dental implants, but it has not been possible to accurately identify the most effective dosage parameters and wavelengths.

Effectiveness:

There is some controversy surrounding cold laser therapy in the medical setting. Although there is a scientific explanation for its possible effects, these have not yet been firmly proven, hence it is usually classified as an experimental or developing therapy. Patients interested in this type of therapy should seek qualified professional advice before making a decision.

There is no consensus on the ideal location to direct the laser too, for example, whether it is better to target the nerves or the joints. There is also no consensus on which wavelengths to use, dosage, or duration of treatment.

Despite this, there are LLLT protocols that have proven to be of medium effectiveness, in many cases similar to placebos, in the short-term improvement of pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, neck pain, tendinopathies, and other chronic joint disorders.