Cold laser therapy is sometimes called low level laser therapy (LLLT) or 'soft laser', amongst others. Endre Mester, in Hungary, is thought to be the originator of this treatment. He treated shaved mice with lasers and noticed that they became healthier than the control group. From here on the idea of light-assisted recovery developed to what it is today.
Since those experiments, more than 30 years ago, beams of coherent light have been used, initially in Canada and Europe mostly, to treat a variety of conditions. The beams range from powers of 10mW to 50 000mW and can be administered as a single beam or a few different beams combined and administered as pulses, rather than a continuous beam, to avoid producing heat as an undesirable side-effect.
At first there were no clear studies that could state that any significant benefit could be gained by being exposed to photons of light from these devices. This meant that initial attitudes towards this treatment were that of skepticism. More research that would provide more conclusive proof was needed.
Now, this non-invasive approach to treating for e. G. Injuries, sprains, strains and pain in joints, appendages and soft tissue, is being treated gaining acceptance by various bodies. The BMJ sports medicine journal, American Physical Therapy Association, World Health Organization among others have noticed benefits to the therapy. The U. S. Olympic Committee, in 2004, officially endorsed low level laser treatment.
There are two types of treatment using these light devices; one that focuses on a small area, and one that covers a broad area of damage. The treatments are employed according to the required outcome. If a treatment type similar to conventional acupuncture is required, where trigger points are targeted, the first method is used. It is often referred to as 'laser acupuncture', a technique that has its origins in ancient times, but is modernized to obviate the need for painful needles, by penetrating to a maximum depth of five inches.
The second type is for treating damaged tissue over a larger area with the purpose of hopefully finding zones within the area that are more damaged than the rest and stimulating healing in those areas. A bigger area also means that treatment can be completed more quickly than the first.
The effects that have been noted as the result of the light-mediated treatment fall into two general categories; reducing pain and inflammation and promoting the healing of body cells to restore damaged tissues etc. This intervention is pain-free and requires no surgery, making it appealing to patients. Usually the treatment is quickly administered by a therapist, doctor or technician, only lasting for up to 10 minutes. The patient must receive anywhere up to 30 treatments, depending on the severity of their complaint, two or three times per week.
The energy transferred to cells by means of the electromagnetic light waves emitted by laser devices during cold laser therapy appears to stimulate the recovery of the body from injury in a number of ways, including increased circulation and higher ATP production, which energizes cells to increase the rate at which they can repair damage. This is a natural process, needing no medication to be taken and facilitates a quick recovery.
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