Various lasers have made their way into different parts of the medical community. For example, there are lasers to help correct nearsightedness, lasers that use heat to penetrate through the skin negating the need for scalpels, high power lasers that burn tissue to remove the skin’s surface, lasers that help in rehabilitation following surgery or injury, and cold lasers that repeatedly demonstrate impressive results in minimizing, managing, and eradicating pain. This article will focus on cold lasers.
Cold lasers use low-energy to encourage tissue restoration. This therapy works to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and allow for faster healing. In short, cold lasers encourage cell repair and regeneration without burning the skin. In fact, they are a tremendous alternative to pharmaceuticals (pain killers), as there is no risk of developing a physical addiction.
What conditions are helped by cold lasers? Here are some common types.
- Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is often characterized by dispersed body pain.
- Muscle strains. Muscle strains can occur in places like the arms, legs, neck, and torso.
- Arthritis. There are different types of arthritis, but the word essentially indicates joint inflammation.
- Bruises. Bruises can occur on almost any body part and is the result of blood pooling.
- Chronic pain. Ongoing pain may be due to different causes (e.g., herniated discs, ongoing inflammation).
- TMJ. Discomfort in the jaw area occurs for reasons such as fatigued muscles or inflammation.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. CTS takes place when the carpal tunnel nerve is constricted.
- Bursitis. Bursitis happens when the bursa becomes inflamed.
How is a cold laser treatment administered? Well, one model is placed on specific body points, similar to acupuncture, to release endorphins and strengthen the immune system. Another type is designed to go directly on painful areas to encourage tissue repair and healing. Different medical conditions often determine the length of time a treatment will take (e.g., a few seconds to a few minutes). Concurrently, a minor injury will typically require fewer sessions (maybe three or four), whereas chronic conditions could necessitate several treatments before benefits are realized.
The conditions listed above are only a few of the many types of problems that have realized relief with cold lasers. Fortunately, this therapy has been a remarkable breakthrough in pain management. In fact, some people even use this treatment to quit smoking and encourage hair growth. Why? Because cold lasers are safe and they work.
Healing Hands Chiropractic Care offers cold laser treatments to their patients as part of a more natural means to healing. Call today to find out if this therapy might be right for you.