Cold laser therapy, or low-level laser therapy, is a noninvasive light therapy used to accelerate your body’s healing process, reduce inflammation and swelling, and soothe sore muscles.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help injuries heal faster, cold laser therapy also has many additional uses. It is also FDA-approved to help target stubborn areas of fat, serving as a popular alternative to liposuction and other invasive weight loss treatments and surgeries. 

A growing body of evidence produced through clinical trials and similar efforts shows that low-level laser therapy leads to the following notable benefits. 

1. Pain Relief

Cold laser therapy can be an effective alternative to prescription painkillers, which may cause dependency issues in some patients. Unlike prescription pain pills, low-level laser therapy is non-habit-forming. It helps reduce your pain levels by minimizing nerve sensitivity, reducing inflammation and helping block the pain receptors in your brain. 

2. Weight Loss

Studies show that cold laser therapy is a proven metabolism booster that has the potential to accelerate weight loss by turning the material in your fat cells into liquid form. The process then encourages your fat cells to open up, allowing liquified fat to drain out of them and flush through your body’s lymphatic system. 

3. Inflammation Reduction

Clinical studies show that low-level laser therapy is a safe alternative to anti-inflammatory supplements and has positive effects on wound care and inflammation related to neck, shoulder and back pain. The process helps dilate your blood vessels and encourages your lymphatic system to drain parts of your body that swell or inflame due to trauma or injury. Patients looking for how to reduce inflammation caused by sciatica, sports injuries, disc issues, tendonitis or knee pain may also find cold laser therapy to be an effective method of reducing inflammation and associated pain.

4. Cell Growth

Cold laser therapy can also accelerate cell growth and enhance vascular activity, helping repair your body’s tissues in a safe and effective manner. The faster cells grow and repair, the faster you recover from injuries. Research shows that this type of therapy may prove especially beneficial in speeding up the healing of tendons, ligaments and muscles and that it also helps you recover faster from open wounds or burn injuries.

5. Scar Tissue Reduction

Low-level laser therapy helps decrease the formation of fibrous, or scar tissue, which in turn helps make scars caused by cuts, lacerations, scratches, burns or surgical procedures less noticeable. 

6. Immune System Health

Your body’s immune system helps it fight infection and disease, but everything from stress to diet can compromise its strength and effectiveness. Cold laser therapy boosts your immune system’s abilities by accelerating the production of lymphocytes and immunoglobulins. This allows your immune system and lymphatic system to function at their best, speeding up healing throughout your body. 

7. Skin Rejuvenation

Many patients also turn to cold laser therapy to help heal and rejuvenate their skin. The process may prove beneficial in reducing scars and improving the skin condition of patients dealing with acne, dermatitis, edema, psoriasis, vitiligo, persistent rashes or other skin issues. 

Often favored by patients with sports injuries, burn injuries, skin issues, extra pounds, or acute or chronic conditions, among other ailments, cold laser therapy continues to gain traction as a safe, non-invasive alternative to many other treatment methods. Click here to learn more or schedule an appointment.