Cold laser therapy is one of those things that sounds a lot more complex and intimidating than it is. Developed about four decades ago, cold laser therapy has been used for all kinds of joint inflammation and as a treatment for musculoskeletal pain.
Let’s find out more about this treatment.
What Cold Laser Therapy Is
You may have heard of laser being used in a range of surgical and medical procedures. Cold laser therapy (CLT) utilizes similar laser technology to treat pain and swelling in any area of your body. CLT works best when used in situations where the pain and inflammation are located in an area that’s deep underneath the skin.
CLT works by focusing light energy on your skin. This can be done without the need for a surgeon or operating room because CLT lasers use low-level frequency, as opposed to surgical ones that can cut or burn your skin.
The CLT device is used to beam a light pulse for about 30 seconds to a minute. This sounds underwhelming, but CLT has worked for many people, given that they stick with it. You may need a few sessions before you see noticeable effects.
Conditions CLT Treats
CLT does more than relieve pain and inflammation. It also boosts injury healing, circulation, and tissue regeneration because of the laser’s ability to open vessels wider and allow for blood to circulate better.
That’s why CLT can be used by physical therapists to aid PT for people who have joint pain, osteoarthritis, nerve pain, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, and more. CLT works as a useful tool for post-operative rehab, work-related therapy, and PT for active living for seniors.
However, since CLT just reduces pain and swelling without addressing the root cause, it should be used alongside other techniques. Your physical therapist will probably assess your concerns, conditions, pain level, and other factors before they decide on the treatment plan.
Is Cold Laser Therapy Right for You?
Whether CLT works for you or doesn’t is a conversation you should have with your physical ther
apist. They can assess your condition and the effectiveness of the CLT better than anyone. A physical therapist will likely observe and continuously evaluate how useful any technique or tool is turning out to be with your unique case.
Just make sure you check in with your therapist if you feel like your pain isn’t manageable or if you want to discontinue the treatment. Cold laser therapy could be a lifesaver, or it could be entirely useless.
Make an appointment with our physical therapists in Augusta, GA, today! We even offer specialized physical therapy services for women.