Low Level Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) also referred to as Cold Laser Therapy, low power laser, biostimulation laser, soft laser, or therapeutic laser is much less powerful than Class IV High Power Laser Therapy. This means that it is also much less effective and recently considered old technology. Despite it being less effective than High Power Laser Therapy it is still nonetheless effective in treating arthritis, tendinitis, lower back pain, neck pain, mid back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, ankle pain, foot pain, plantar fasciitis, Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Muscle Strains, Ligament Sprains, etc. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or Cold Laser Therapy is still more effective than ultrasound and other rehabilitative therapy modalities. Ultrasound, interferential current and tens are widely used in rehabilitative therapy throughout the world. It is reported that in the United States alone, five billion dollars are spent on ultrasound therapy annually. Most independently motivated therapists are aware that minimal benefit derives from these techniques. At best, they act as counter-irritants, create a temporary increase in circulation and the release of endorphins. They are definitely not a factor in the healing process despite producing temporary relief of symptomatology. Class IV High Power Laser Therapy, on the contrary, is effective in restoring tissue to its normal state, i.e., it acts to reverse the pathology and thereby relieves symptoms. Initially there is a varying degree of pain relief due to the release of endorphins and cortisol produced by the body itself, but the more important effect is the cumulative factor, which is curative over the course of a series of treatments. These may vary from one treatment to as many as twelve or more. Each case is as individual as are the responses to therapy. Moreover, in most instances, patients activities need not be restricted as healing continues while activity goes on.