Call it nature’s wonders but almost everything around us has healing effects. Heat and cold therapy has been around for centuries; sound is used in ultrasonic therapy, a great tool for inflammation; light is used in anodyne therapy which started in the late 1990’s for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy and now low-level lasers show a lot of promise in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
Cold laser, or specifically the ML 830 nm low-energy laser gained FDA clearance in February 2002. It is called, cold laser because it’s healing effects is non-thermal or not because of heat. Light energy promotes the process of “PHOTOBIOSTIMULATION.” This photochemical reaction increases metabolism rate and removal of debris at the site of injury thus expediting cell repair. This in turn reduces pain, inflammation, and increases healing time.
The strongest evidence supports the use of cold laser for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Other conditions where it may be helpful is arthritis, overuse injuries, tendonitis, sprains and strains, post-operative pain, tennis elbow and other soft tissue injuries.
The tools to get better is all around us. You don’t have to go very far.
FACTS AND FIGURES
- The ML830 has also been called “The world’s most expensive flashlight.”
- It has a penetration of approximately 5 cm with a 3 cm lateral spread.
- Laser therapy has been around in Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand for 40 years.
- Laser is actually an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
- Laser delivers light that is monochromatic (single color & wave length); coherent (in phase); and directional (collimated).
- Various types of light have been used in