It’s often used to treat back pain.
It is non-invasive and seems to get good results for people.
Inconsistent Research
Numerous studies have been done on cold laser therapy, with mixed results.
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Because of the inconsistency, its still considered a controversial treatment.
The authors concluded that the treatment has merit when it comes to pain relief.
Generally, in these cases, medication can be effective.
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Medications commonly used for breakthrough pain include:
However, these drugs can come with side effects.
Surgery is sometimes an option for severe cases that are because of a clear structural problem.
But surgery has risks and the results aren’t always satisfactory.
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Other alternative treatments may help reduce inflammation and joint pain, with a low risk of unwanted side effects.
Radiculopathy symptoms include:
The symptoms typically radiate down the arm or the leg.
Sometimes the body will reabsorb extruding disc material over the course of about a year.
Some people use treatments like cold laser therapy to manage their pain in the meantime.
This study also found that posture education was key to retaining the benefits of LLLT long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cold laser therapy uses low levels of light from a laser to heal tissue.
The treatment isn’t actually cold.
It gets its name because low levels of light do not produce heat.
A cold laser therapy session lasts between 3 and 5 minutes.
Most people do not experience pain relief from cold laser treatment after the first few session.
It can take between eight and 30 sessions to know if it is effective.
Cold laser therapy is typically performed at least twice a week and up to four times a week.
It can take several treatments before you feel any relief.
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Lee YC.Effect and treatment of chronic pain in inflammatory arthritis.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2013;15(1):300.
2011;34(3):153-63.
Childress MA, Becker BA.Nonoperative management of cervical radiculopathy.Am Fam Physician.2016 May 1;93(9):746-754.
2012;21(3):193197. doi:10.5978/islsm.12-OR-10
