Why You Should Try Cold Laser Therapy

It’s painless, side-effect free and has tons of research, what are you waiting for?

We live in a society that is riddled with chronic disease and pain. We can all think of SOMEONE we know (if not ourselves) that experiences pain, inflammation, or debilitating symptoms

every. single. day.

Many people have tried pharmaceuticals or shots and are disenchanted with the ‘band-aid’ like results and detrimental side-effects. There is a growing demand for holistic treatment options that focus on healing the body instead of numbing or muffling it’s cry for help.

As a holistic health practitioner, I’m always keeping my ears and eyes peeled for new ways to help people heal and improve their well-being.

In addition to acupuncture, cupping, nutritional and lifestyle therapy, I have added on Cold Laser to my treatment modalities within the last year.

LASER BASICS

Cold Laser is a therapy known by many-a names:

-low level light therapy (LLLT)

-photo-biomodulation therapy (PBMT)

-low-power laser therapy

It is considered a “cold” laser in opposition to the “hot” lasers that are used in surgical procedures to cut through or burn away tissue. While this may induce a graphic image in your mind, most people do not even feel the painless cold laser’s healing properties at work.(although some notice a super subtle warming or vibrational sensation)

Cold Laser is incredibly safe, non-invasive, pain-free, non-toxic and side-effect free.

It’s well-documented to provide relief from acute and chronic pain, reduce wound-healing and post-surgery recovery time AND relieve inflammation.

The Erchonia laser that I use is FDA approved for the treatment of chronic neck pain, shoulder pain, plantar fasciitis and heel pain, and post-operative wound pain

(although it’s pain-relieving properties are not limited to these specific areas)

It shines two different wavelengths of light, each with a slightly different healing focus.

The red 635nm wavelength of laser light has an anti-inflammatory and healing effect on inflamed or painful tissues. The 405nm violet laser has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which are great for treating acne, infections and other skin conditions.

Together, these two wield a potent healing power that focuses on optimizing our body’s natural healing capabilities.

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BENEFITS OF COLD LASER THERAPY

The Benefits of Cold Laser Therapy are many and include:

• Reducing pain and inflammation
• Treating pain more effectively than NSAIDS or Opioids
• Reducing free radical production and oxidative stress
• Improving blood flow
• Increasing tissue healing time as shown by FDA double-blind studies
• Increasing in cellular energy (production of cellular ATP).
• Increasing in repair of damaged tissue
• Increasing recovery after injury or surgery

– – –

There are over 2000 published studies on

Low Level Laser Therapy reporting it’s effectiveness with no negative side effects

– – –

It has also shown great benefits clinically with:

• Sports Injuries
• Headaches/Migraines
• Acute & Chronic Pain Conditions
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Shoulder Pain / Rotator Cuff Conditions
• Neck Pain
• Low Back Pain
• Sciatica / Leg Pain
• Degenerative or Herniated Discs
• Sciatica
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (such as sports, work or auto accidents)
• Sprains & Strains
• Arthritis & Stiff Joints
• Hip & Knee Pain
• Post-surgical orthopedic rehab
• Fibromyalgia
• Plantar Fasciitis
• whiplash injury
• auto accident injuries
• traumatic brain injuries
• Acute and chronic concussion symptoms
• Post stroke rehab
• Atypical Facial Pain
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Shingles/Herpes Zoster

HOW DOES IT WORK

LET’S GET NERDY

In order to understand how LIGHT can cause a healing affect within the body, let’s all recall the one line most of us can remember from high school biology and talk about…

the Mitochondria: “The Powerhouse of the Cell”

Within the mitochondria, the “energy production factory” within the cell, are receptors capable of absorbing distinct parameters of light.

Just like when we consume a prescription medication, supplement or drug, it is broken down and absorbed by the body by locating a particular matching receptor and binding to it like a puzzle piece. Once it has been bound, a chemical chain-reaction takes place inside the cell and then the body, resulting in a physiological change.

Examples: inflammation is reduced, headache is relieved, anxiety is reduced,

muscles become relaxed

– – –

When we are exposed to particular colors of light, a similar chemical reaction happens at the cellular level

– – –

During a laser treatment, the light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by specific receptors within the mitochondria. The stimulation of these receptors promotes energy production, biochemical reactions, protein and growth factor synthesis, cell growth and proliferation and enhanced blood and oxygen flow.

Similarly to how a plant cell uses sunlight (and the color green) for growth and health via photosynthesis, human cells have been shown to respond to red-violet wavelengths of light in a similar way.

If you really want to travel down the rabbit-hole of photobiomodulation and it’s healing effects click here

WHAT IS A TREATMENT LIKE?

The laser can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.

In my office, we frequently use the laser as an add-on to acupuncture or cupping sessions but I also offer packages of JUST DA LASER for those who prefer to use it solo. It’s included FOR FREE in your first acupuncture or cupping session in order to try before you buy.

I generally use the laser along the spine or brain stem for 30sec to a minute in order to activate the connection between the brain and the body (aka your spinal cord and nervous system). We then use the laser over the targeted area(s) of concern. The entire process can be a few minutes or up to ten depending on the condition and number of areas being treated.

MORE is not necessarily better with LLLT and because the laser is specific and concentrated, we do not need more than a few minutes in each area. Studies show the efficacy of the treatment actually decreases or plateaus with longer applications of the laser.

Because it is painless…Cold laser therapy is EXCELLENT for children and those who are un-easy with the needles.

It also is highly effective on pets and there’s tons of research showing it’s efficacy on animals. This is significant because they do not experience a placebo effect like we humans are able to.

HOW OFTEN AND HOW MANY SESSIONS?

Like many other types of therapy (physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture),

it’s HIGHLY encouraged to purchase a series of sessions to be used 2-3x week.

Because we are modulating your body’s natural healing capabilities, we need frequent and consistent sessions to achieve desired results. If we wait too long in between treatments, our bodies go back to operating in the same dis-‘eased’ state and are not able to gain the healing traction needed to get the results you and I both want.

The number of sessions you will need depends on the severity and duration of your condition in addition to other individually-based factors (diet, lifestyle, medications, and underlying systemic conditions like diabetes, thyroid, cancer, autoimmune, etc). The more complex or chronic the condition is, the more likely you will need more sessions.

In general, 4-12 treatments are necessary to begin the healing process of

tissue, although in some cases relief can be felt immediately, especially when combined with acupuncture or cupping.

(or with other therapies you’re already receiving like chiropractic, physical therapy, massage)

Maximum treatment would be 2x per day per area (must have at least 90min in between treatments), minimum would be 1x per week to still see some results.

So go ahead, tell your mom, your boss, your neighbor and your dog, there’s a new treatment in town and it’s ready to LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

Click BOOK NOW in the upper right corner to get your laser on ASAP

If you have any questions regarding laser therapy shoot me an email!

You can also find more information on Erchonia’s website. I chose an Erchonia laser because they are one of the most reputable and highly researched laser brands on the market.