Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) also known as cold laser therapy, is an alternative method of natural treatment offered in our office. With this form of therapy, the injured part of the body is exposed to 4 laser diodes of low intensity, which stimulate the mitochondria of the cells in order to effectively enhance the healing process. What makes our low-level laser treatment very popular in Encinitas is the quick initiation of healing, immediate decrease in levels of pain including middle back pain and upper back pain, a decrease in inflammation, and NO KNOWN SIDE EFFECTS.
The term LASER is actually an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
Effects of LLLT:
- Reduce inflammation can happen within hours to days (1)
- Pain Relief: such as TMD/TMJ (2), tendinopathies (3), and neuropathic pain (4).
- Increased speed of tissue regeneration in fibroblasts (5), keratinocytes (6), endothelial cells (7), and lymphocytes (8,9).
- Reduction of pain and swelling associated with lymphedema (10,11).
RESOURCES
- Cotler HB, Chow RT, Hamblin MR, Carroll J. The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain. MOJ Orthop Rheumatol 2015;2(5): 00068.
- Cavalcanti MF, Silva UH, Leal-Junior EC, et.al.Comparative Study of the Physiotherapeutic and Drug Protocol and Low-Level Laser Irradiation in the Treatment of Pain Associated With Temporomandibular Dysfunction. Photomed Laser Surg. 2016 Nov 29. [Epub ahead of print].
- Tumilty S, Munn J, McDonough S, Hurley DA, Basford JR, et al. Low level laser treatment of tendinopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Photomed Laser Surg 2010; 28(1): 3-16.
- Chen YT, Wang HH, Wang TJ, Li YC, Chen TJ. Early application of low-level laser may reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75(3):572-7.
- Frigo L, Fávero GM, Lima HJ, Maria DA, Bjordal JM, et al. Low-level laser irradiation (InGaAlP-660 nm) increases fibroblast cell proliferation and reduces cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Photomed Laser Surg 2010;28 Suppl 1: S151-S156.
- Basso FG, Oliveira CF, Kurachi C, Hebling J, Costa CA. Biostimulatory effect of low-level laser therapy on keratinocytes in vitro. Lasers Med Sci 2013 28(2): 367-374.
- Szymanska J, Goralczyk K, Klawe JJ, Lukowicz M, Michalska M, et al. Phototherapy with low-level laser influences the proliferation of endothelial cells and vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta secretion. J Physiol Pharmacol 2013;64(3): 387-391.
- Agaiby AD, Ghali LR, Wilson R, Dyson M. Laser modulation of angiogenic factor production by T-lymphocytes. Lasers Surg. Med 2000;26(4): 357-363.
- Moore P, Ridgway TD, Higbee RG, Howard EW, Lucroy MD. Effect of wavelength on low-intensity laser irradiation-stimulated cell proliferation in vitro. Lasers Surg Med 2005;36(1): 8-12.
- Smoot B, Chiavola-Larson L, Lee J, Manibusan H, Allen DD. Effect of low-level laser therapy on pain and swelling in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cancer Surviv. 2015;9(2):287-304.
- Carati CJ, Anderson SN, Gannon BJ, Piller NB. Treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema with low-level laser therapy: A double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Cancer 2003;98(6): 1114-1122.