This low-intensity laser therapy stimulates healing using low levels of light. Unlike surgical or aesthetic lasers, these levels are not enough to heat your body’s tissue, hence the name “Cold Laser Therapy.”
Other names for Cold Laser Therapy include:
- low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
- low-power laser therapy
- soft laser biostimulation
- photobiomodulation
During cold laser therapy, various wavelengths and outputs of low-level light are applied directly to a targeted area of body tissue, which absorbs the light. It penetrates two to five centimeters into tissues. The light causes a reaction, and your damaged cells respond with a physiological reaction that promotes regeneration. You’ll feel the laser device touching your skin, but the procedure itself is painless and non-invasive. You may feel a slight tingling sensation. There will be no sound. Each treatment usually takes only a few minutes. However, several treatments are necessary before you can gauge its effectiveness.
Medical professionals use cold laser therapy in a variety of ways and mainly for the purpose of tissue repair and relief from pain and inflammation. Cold laser therapy is also used to help reduce swelling and promote healing in joints and soft tissue.
Cold laser therapy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for several conditions. It is considered safe when performed by a doctor or qualified practitioner. It does not require medication or other preparation.