What is Low-Level Laser or Low-Light Therapy?
Low-level laser and LED therapy or “photobiostimulation”, is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to create therapeutic effects. These effects include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation, and decreased swelling. The light may be provided by a cluster of low power laser diodes or light-emitting diodes (LED). What is its history? The effects of red light on cellular function have been known since 1880. However, the clinical benefits were only discovered by accident during laser safety tests in 1967. The first low-power lasers suitable for treating pain became available commercially in the late 1970’s, and ever since then, laser therapy has been widely utilized in Europe by physical therapists, nurses, and doctors. Now, after FDA approval in 2001, laser therapy is quickly gaining popularity in the USA. Has effectiveness been demonstrated scientifically? Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the clinical effectivene
