Advanced Cold Laser Therapy

How do COLD LASERS Work?

Cold Lasers are handheld devices that are placed directly over the injured area. Typically, depending on the area being treated, and the number of lasers being used, laser treatments can last between 10-40 minutes. During the treatment, the laser light safely penetrates deep through several layers of skin and fat without injuring a single cell.

Once the cold laser light (photons) reaches the injured tissue it is readily absorbed by damaged, injured, or weakened cells. The light energy interacts and is absorbed by chromophores, specifically cytochrome c oxidase, (light sensitive enzymes in the mitochondria of the cells). By activating these enzymes it stimulates the production of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate, energy of the cell). As a result, this new found energy initiates more ATP to be produced and a cascade of beneficial events occur; including, a reduction in pain, edema, inflammation, improved nerve function, and an increase in the intracellular metabolic rate of the cell which decreases the cells healing time and allows the damaged tissue to repair itself faster.

“The laser treatment speeds up cell repair & stimulates the immune, lymphatic, & vascular systems.” Paul Sibert, M.D., Chief of Neurology at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

What are the differences between hot lasers and cold lasers?

• Hot lasers should not be confused with Cold Lasers.
• High power lasers are also known as hot lasers or surgical lasers. Hot lasers are not placed directly on the treating area. Instead, they are either continuously moved around or they are set up to never come in direct contact with the injured area so at to not burn the patient.
• Hot lasers are used to cut through tissue, burn, heat, or vaporize tissue and are potentially dangerous.
• They can be dangerous if a patient is not being constantly monitored or the person applying the treatment is not trained properly. These lasers, for example, are used during arthroscopic surgery. We do not use hot lasers in our office because these lasers have the potential to burn you. Moreover, most of the research on tissue healing has been completed with Cold lasers, the type Atlas Medical Center uses.
• In addition, don’t be confused by the term cold laser, the actual laser does not produce a cooling effect. Low level laser, (a.k.a cold laser), does not mean that it is ineffective, on the contrary, it simply means that cold lasers operate at a power and wavelength that does not have the potential to harm or damage tissue.
• Every Cold laser has a different power and wavelength. It is important that the appropriate laser is used for your condition. FYI, anything below a IIIB Classification is too low, and has not been proven to penetrate below the skin’s surface.

General Physiological and Biological Effects of Cold Laser

• Increased Metabolic Activity – Cold Laser therapy increases higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for cells. An increase in ATP production by the mitochondria of the cell allows the cell to heal and repair faster. In addition, the cell uses this new found energy, (that was never available before), to use for multiple biologic processes.
• Rapid Cell Growth – Laser light accelerates cellular reproduction and growth due to increased mitochondrial activity.
• Stimulated Nerve Function – Cold Laser light speeds the process of nerve cell healing and repairing.

Neurotransmission is facilitated due to increased levels of acetylcholine and serotonin.

• Faster Wound Healing – Cold laser light stimulates fibroblast (fibroblast cells are the building blocks of collagen) development and accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue.
• Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation – Cold laser light reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from post surgery, sprains and strains, cuts, scratches, or burns.
• Anti-Inflammatory Action – Cold laser light reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints to give enhanced joint mobility.
• Increased Vascular Activity – Cold laser light induces temporary vasodilation increasing blood flow and oxygen to damaged areas

Atlas’ Cold Laser Programs for chronic low back, neck, or shoulder pain uniquely combine Cold Laser Therapy along with Spinal Decompression therapy, and physiotherapy to help reduce pain, inflammation, and improve overall function. All of our Cold Lasers are FDA Cleared and harness advanced Class IIIB or Class IV technology.

In Summary Cold Lasers have shown to:

**If you have cancer or taking immune system suppressants, low-level laser therapy is contradicted. In pregnant women, the uterus should not be irradiated.**

Years of Experience with Cold Laser Therapy

We have completed thousands of individual cold laser procedures and have almost two decades of experience in relieving chronic joint or soft tissue pain with laser therapy.

Besides our experience, our office is unique because whether we are relieving peripheral neuropathy symptoms, knee pain, shoulder, back, neck or hip pain we can utilize 5 different types of cold lasers (oftentimes several are used simultaneously). Our healthcare team understands which laser or lasers are appropriate to use, for the condition and the severity of the problem being treated.

We offer Cold Laser Therapy for the following conditions:

• Knee Pain
• Hip Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Wrist / Elbow / Hand Pain
• Low Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms

** Our low back and neck programs also include non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy; which is an has clinically shown to be very effective for relieving pain from sciatica, pinched nerves, herniated disc, bulging disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, radiating leg or arm pain, and many other spinal conditions. Specifically, for neck and back pain sufferers, using a combination of both Cold Laser and Spinal Decompression Therapy is integral in achieving optimal results. We will customize your treatment plan according to your diagnosis, symptoms, and mobility.**

Patient Success Stories

Watch the videos below to hear our patients describe their experiences with cold laser therapy.

No guarantees are made or implied. Results vary. Like all medical procedures there is a success and failure rate. Patient reviews and testimonials on this site should not be interpreted as a statement on the effectiveness of our treatments for anyone else.