Light therapy, also known as “cold laser therapy”, is the process in which medical professionals use infrared light energy emitted from laser diodes to restore cells, heal injuries and bring balance to the body. It’s true, something as simple as infrared laser light can help your body heal itself naturally!
How Light Therapy “cold laser” Works:
When laser light is applied to biological tissue, one is actually applying infrared energy, in the form of photons to the tissue. This energy is absorbed within cells the chromophores, such as cytochromes, porphyrins, flavins and other light-absorbing entities within the mitochondria and cell membranes. The absorbed energy is then stored as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the cells providing its necessary fuel. A small amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) – also beneficial – is produced helping the synthesis of calcium ions and other essential enzymes.
The cell uses this absorbed energy to power metabolic processes, synthesize DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, and other biological materials needed to repair or regenerate cell and tissue components, to foster mitosis or cell proliferation, and restore homeostasis and balance. The end result is that the absorbed energy is used to repair the tissue, reduce pain and inflammation, and restore normalcy to an otherwise impaired biological process.
What Does Light Therapy “cold laser” Do?
- Increase vascularity (circulation) by increasing the formation of new capillaries, which are additional blood vessels that replace damaged ones. New capillaries speed up the healing process by carrying more oxygen as well as more nutrients needed for healing and they can also carry more waste products away.
- Stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is the most common protein found in the body. Collagen is the essential protein use to repair damaged tissue and to replace old tissue. It is the substance that holds cells together and has a high degree of elasticity. By increasing collagen production less scar tissue is formed at the damaged site.
- Stimulate the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the major carrier of energy to all cells. Increases in ATP allow cells to accept nutrients faster and get rid of waste products faster by increasing the energy level in the cell. All food turns into ATP before it is utilized by the cells. ATP provides the chemical energy that drives the chemical reaction of the cell.
- Increase lymphatic system activity. Edema, which is the swelling or the natural splinting process of the body, has two basic components. The first is a liquid part which can be evacuated by the blood system and the second is comprised of the proteins which have to be evacuated by the lymphatic system. Research has shown that the lymph vessel diameter and the flow of the lymph system can be doubled with the use of laser light therapy. The venous diameter and the arterial diameters can also be increased. This means that both parts of the edema (liquid and protein) can be evacuated at a much faster rate to relieve swelling.
- Increase RNA and DNA synthesis. This helps damaged cells to be replaced more promptly.
- Reduce the excitability of nervous tissue. The photons of light energy enter the body as negative ions. This calls upon the body to send positive ions like calcium among others to go to the area being treated. These ions assist in firing the nerves thereby relieving pain.
- Stimulate fibroblastic activity which aids in the repair process. Fibroblasts are present in connective tissue and are capable of forming collagen fibers.
- Increase phagocytosis, which is the process of scavenging for and ingesting dead or degenerated cells by phagocyte cells for the purpose of clean up. This is an important part of the infection fighting process. Destruction of the infection and clean up must occur before the healing process can take place.
- Induce a thermal like effect in the tissue, although there is no heat actually produced from the diodes. The light raises the temperature of the cells which attracts blood supply and nutrients.
- Stimulate tissue granulation and connective tissue projections, which are part of the healing process of wounds, ulcers or inflamed tissue.
- Stimulate acetylcholine release. Acetylcholine causes cardiac inhibition, vasodilation, gastrointestinal peristalsis and other parasympathetic effects. All of which “make you feel better”.
