Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), or “cold laser”, is a technology which has been proven to be remarkably safe, painless and effective in treating both acute injuries and chronic pain of various types. It was introduced in the 1960’s, so it can’t really be called “new”, but researchers have recently been uncovering more and more conditions that are responding to laser therapy. It has been shown to be particularly helpful in stubborn, persistent, and “difficult-to-treat” conditions, including chronic back and neck pain, arthritis, nerve conditions, plantar fasciitis and other joint and muscle pains, especially when combined with chiropractic care.

         When most people think of medical lasers they think of laser scalpels and laser eye surgery. These use high power, or “hot” lasers. Low level laser works completely differently and causes healing by affecting how the cells go about the healing process. Laser light stimulates the cells in the body that repair tissue, reduce inflammation and reduce pain. Healing is accelerated and in stubborn, chronic conditions, healing can often be activated.

        The best remedy for any health problem is the one where our bodies are healing the problem in a natural way. Low level laser therapy does exactly that by encouraging the body to heal on its own. With laser therapy here is no heating of the skin or tissue and the treatments are noninvasive and pleasant.

         Research has shown that laser treated tissue is more normal with less scar tissue. Laser therapy can even be used to enhance muscle repair and growth as well. This fact has caught the NFL’s eye and many other professional sports and organizations. The short list of who is using laser therapy: the Navy SEALS, the U.S. Army, the U.S.A.F., special forces of many different counties, NASA, the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, and on and on. Over 50 countries’s Olympic teams rely on laser therapy to treat their athlete’s injuries and enhance performance.

          Low level laser therapy is being used in hospitals and clinics around the world. Harvard Medical School is producing impressive research papers and is working with the Wellmon Center for Photomedicine, which uses all laser and light based treatments.

           Low level laser therapy is FDA cleared and has been for years and can be used for many conditions which other therapies cannot. There are very few contraindications and, in most cases, patients experience improvement in just a few short sessions. By combining chiropractic care and laser therapy, we bring the best of both worlds together.

Shining the Light on Laser Therapy

Christopher Carraway, D.C., D.I.B.C.N., C.L.S.