Cold Laser Therapy for Arthritis and Pain

Cold Laser Therapy for Arthritis and Pain

  20 Sep 2022

Introduction

Cold laser therapy is a new treatment option for arthritis pain and inflammation. It works by stimulating the body’s natural healing response to inflammation, reducing pain and stiffness due to arthritis. A non-invasive and non-drug treatment low level laser therapy Sydney is doing well for arthritis and pain.

What is cold laser therapy?

Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive, painless treatment. Laser beams are directed at the skin to stimulate healing by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair.

Cold lasers can be used to treat many conditions including musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis or back pain, gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS and Crohn’s disease, cardiovascular disorders like atherosclerosis or heart disease and even cosmetic treatments such as hair removal or wrinkle reduction.

There are two main types of cold lasers: low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT). Low-intensity LILT is often used for chronic pain management because it does not involve burning the skin with heat like traditional lasers do. High intensity lasers deliver more energy into deeper tissues but may cause damage to healthy tissue if not used properly so they are not typically used on people who have thin skin or sensitive eyesight

How does a cold laser work?

How does a cold laser work?

When your body is injured or has a disease, your cells need more ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) to keep the healing process going. A cold laser stimulates the cells in your body with light energy that is absorbed into the cell and converted into ATP. When the body has enough ATP, it can heal itself from injuries and diseases such as arthritis.

What is cold laser therapy used for?

Cold laser therapy is used to treat a wide range of conditions. It can help relieve pain, inflammation and swelling, as well as some types of cancer. Cold laser therapy may be used to help with wound healing and in the treatment of sports injuries. The benefits of cold laser are mostly related to its ability to increase blood circulation in damaged tissues by stimulating cell regeneration. This can lead to improved tissue health and healing time.

How effective is cold laser therapy?

Cold laser therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing pain, swelling and inflammation. It can also improve range of motion and reduce the number of pain medications taken. In fact, several studies have found that cold laser therapy is just as effective as traditional treatments such as physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications (1).

One study looked at the effects of both cold laser and hot water immersion on patients with knee osteoarthritis (2). The researchers found that both treatments were equally effective at reducing pain and stiffness but only hot water immersion improved range of motion.

Another study compared the effects of both conventional physical therapy treatment and a combination treatment involving exercise with either active or placebo laser on people suffering from chronic low back pain (3). Those who received both active or placebo laser along with exercise showed greater improvements than those receiving only conventional physical therapy treatment alone.

What should I expect during treatment?

Cold laser treatment is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that treats pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. There is no downtime after your treatment. Treatment time can be as little as 5 minutes per session, which means you can return to normal activities immediately afterwards.

What are the side effects of cold laser treatments?

Some people may experience temporary redness, swelling or bruising. Some people may experience temporary numbness or tingling. Some people may experience temporary headaches. Some people may experience temporary nausea. Some people may experience temporary fatigue, dizziness and/or other side effects that are usually mild and quickly subside as a person’s body heals from their pain condition. Consult your doctor if you have questions about possible side effects of cold laser therapy for your specific condition

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments it will take to see a significant improvement in your pain and mobility depends on a few factors. These include:

  • The severity of your arthritis
  • How long you’ve had it
  • How active you are

If you have a mild case of arthritis, one or two sessions may be all you need to get back on track. If your symptoms are more severe, however, then it may take a little longer for the laser therapy to start working its magic. That’s why it’s so important for patients and doctors alike to communicate about what treatment plan will work best for them going forward.

Are there any risks with cold laser therapy?

  • Cold laser therapy is considered low risk. In general, the side effects one might expect from cold laser therapy include temporary redness or swelling, but these are very mild and should resolve within a few days of treatment. Some people may also experience small scabs on the skin where a cold laser was used, which would fall under this same category. If you experience any of these side effects during or after your treatment, speak with your doctor about it immediately.
  • People with certain skin conditions should not use cold laser therapy. These include:
  • freckles (also known as lentigines)
  • sunburns (even if they are old)
  • hemangiomas

Cold lasers provide relief for many, but it isn’t for everyone.

Cold lasers are not for everyone. Some people may experience a bad reaction to cold laser therapy, and others may not get relief from their condition. If you have a history of certain health conditions or allergies, it is recommended that you talk with a doctor before trying any kind of treatment.

Cold lasers can be expensive and require a doctor’s prescription. Additionally, they are not covered by insurance in many cases.

Conclusion

Cold lasers can be a great option for people who are looking to reduce pain and inflammation, but they aren’t right for everyone. If you have questions about whether or not cold laser therapy is right for your condition, talk to your doctor before making any decisions or you can quickly contact us here tsavowellness.com.au