You needn't be a physicist to know that lasers have been used in various forms of medicine for years. Most lasers, because they harness various forms of energy, give off heat, but a cold laser does not emit heat. The term "cold laser" also refers to low-level light therapy, in which the power and the energy of the laser are kept to a minimum. Cold lasers specifically are gaining in popularity with health practitioners, such as physical therapists, naturopaths, dermatologists, estheticians and chiropractors.
History
As early as 1967, trial therapies were being done to determine the efficacy of cold lasers for specific conditions. Starting in 2002, the Food and Drug Administration had approved several types of lasers for only specific health conditions. Currently, many health insurance companies, such as Cigna, still consider low-level light therapy to be investigational and do not cover the procedure.
Definition
Cold lasers utilize a combination of visible red light or low-level infrared light. This light is intended to be for various medical procedures, according to an article published in the journal "Dose Response" in September 2009. Because the laser does not produce heat, the hypothesized therapeutic value is not thermal, but through light therapy, or photobiology. The light is placed on several areas, through the use of light emitting diodes, on the skin to help treat or relieve pain. Each area of skin is treated for a predetermined time based on the condition, according to the same article above.
Qualifications
To qualify as low-level light therapy, Cigna says the wavelength of the light must be in a range of 600 to 1,000 nanometers. In comparison, the Discovery Channel says all visible light is in the range of 400 to 700 nanometers. The power or output of the cold laser ranges from 5 to 500 milliwatts, whereas lasers used in cutting or surgery put out 300 watts, according to Cigna. The term "cold laser" covers any laser that does not emit heat, but cold lasers that are used for low-level light therapy, or LLLT, do not use much power or watts. While "cold" lasers are used by other professionals, such as dermatologists and ophthalmologists, the watts used are higher output for the purpose of burning and scarring, such as sealing retinal tears.
Action
The light is believed to penetrate the skin, at a shallow depth, to help do several things within the cells. The Washington state Department of Labor and Industries investigated cold laser uses and found the intended therapeutic use includes the following: increasing energy production by the cells' mitochondria, hopefully leading to muscle relaxation, a general increase in endorphins and anti-inflammatory effects, improved blood flow and decreased swelling. The laser that was found to penetrate the skin the best had a wavelength of 904 nanometers.
Uses
Health practitioners have been using cold lasers on various medical conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinopathies, various sprains or strains of tissue, and ulcers, according to the Washington state labor agency. In 2002, two specific lasers were approved by the FDA for use in the temporary relief of pain in carpal tunnel syndrome. In 2004, the FDA approved another specific laser for the temporary relief of iliotibial band syndrome. In 2007, the FDA also approved a cold laser for the temporary relief of inoperative dental pain, according to "MedGadget," an online journal for medical technologies. The FDA also approved several specific lasers for the use of hair regeneration, according to the Hair Foundation.
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