Cold Laser Therapy by Dr. Teja Fox

What is Cold Laser Therapy?

First hypothesized by Albert Einstein, Cold Laser Therapy, or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), is a highly effective therapeutic procedure that has been used in clinical treatments by the medical profession for more than 40 years. The technique began in 1967, with experiments for cancer treatment by Dr. Endre Mester, in Semmelweis University, the oldest and most prestigious medical school in Hungary. From his work, other physicians were inspired to devise treatments for a range of medical conditions. In 2002, the FDA approved LLLT for the following conditions (excerpted from Schnee, Alexandra D.C. Spine-Health.com 2009):

  • Muscle and joint pain

  • Stiffness that comes with arthritis

  • Muscle spasm pain

  • Pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Neck pain

  • Low Back pain

  • Wound healing

How does LLLT work?

Cold laser therapy uses non-thermal photons of light emitted through a handheld device about the size of a small flashlight. The light energy passes through the layers of skin and subcutaneous fat until it reaches the target tissue area. The energy emitted is programmed by wavelength (measured in nanometers) to reach and be absorbed by the tissue area being treated. The tissues absorb the energy at the cellular level, specifically, the mitochondria. This triggers a cascade of events, similar to photosynthesis in plants, where the light energy is used to help normalize the tissues cells. Many clinical studies have shown this process leads to a reduction in pain, inflammation/edema, as well as an increase in metabolism, all contributing to reduced healing time.

LLLT Compared with other forms of Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is used in many aspects of medicine. These are classified by the FDA into 3 categories:

Surgical lasers (Class 4) can cut and cauterize tissues.

Non-surgical Class 3A lasers do not heat or damage cellular tissue. They do not penetrate past the skin tissue level.

Non-surgical Low-Level lasers (Class 3B) do not heat or damage cellular tissue. They do have the ability to penetrate into the cellular level of skin and other tissues targeted for treatment below skin level, again, without damaging tissues.

Dr. Fox Mobile Chiropractic Service uses the Multi Radiance Medical LaserStim therapy unit (Class 3B), known as MR4 LaserStim, because of the unique super pulsed light therapy this device provides.


What does “super pulsed” mean? This means the MR4 laser therapy devices deliver 905nm in billionth-of-a-second pulses at the maximum amount of power for the safest, highest concentration of photons of light. This means the unit provides more energy with better tissue penetration and without heat, versus other forms of laser therapy.

What are the advantages of super pulse cold laser treatments?

This peak power and energy means a stronger effect on the tissues, delivered safely, and leading to:

  • Greater reduction of pain

  • Increased micro-circulation

  • Yielding the most therapeutic benefit compared with other forms of laser therapy

How Does the LaserStim unit Dr. Fox Mobile Chiropractic uses work?

The LaserStim unit delivers energy in 3 different wavelengths. This creates a cascade energy effect, allowing for better penetration and absorption. It also uses infrared and LED wavelengths for broad coverage, which includes the shallow depths such as the skin layers. With both preset and sweep programs, the practitioner can vary the energy applied. Sweep programs automatically fluctuate the frequencies of energy. This varies the dose and depth of energy so that tissues do not adapt to treatment with repeated application, thereby retaining maximum effectiveness of treatment over time.

Perhaps most importantly, the MR4 LaserStim unit uses patented TARGETTM (Treatment Area Recognition and Guidance Enhanced Technology) — the LaserStim head uses laser and electrical stimulation to quickly locate the areas that needing the most treatment and then provides a targeted dose of therapy. The benefits of TARGETTM include:

  • Wider list of applications than traditional modalities

  • Provides benefit of light and neurostimulation energy

  • Faster pain relief (often within less than 8 treatments with other laser units

  • Changing impulses prevent tissue accommodation/retains responsiveness to pulses to continue progress in healing over time

Are there any contraindications for using LLLT?

Laser therapy should never be used on eyes or shone directly into the eye. It should not be used on carcinomas or tumors, the abdomen of pregnant women or near the heart of patients with pacemakers. It should also not be used on an open wound or hemorrhage or when there is a fever above 100 degrees.

Since LLLT does not heat up the tissues, it is safe to use around metallic implants or hardware.

For more information on the Multi Radiance Medical LaserStim therapy unit Dr. Fox employs, please check: www.multiradiance.com

SPECIAL OFFER

Dr. Fox is pleased to offer patients your first cold laser treatment free.
Please contact us for more information, or to set up your appointment.

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