Cold Laser Therapy in Walnut Creek, California
Targeted Light Therapy for Musculoskeletal and Soft Tissue Concerns
Sometimes an area of your body continues to bother you long after you expected it to settle down.
Maybe a tendon becomes uncomfortable every time you exercise. A muscle strain keeps reminding you it's there. A joint feels irritated during certain movements. Or perhaps an injury has made it harder to comfortably return to work, exercise, gardening, sports, or other activities you enjoy.
When appropriate, chiropractic care may include more than an adjustment.
Stojanovich Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. offers Cold Laser Therapy as one of several supportive therapies that may be incorporated into an individualized treatment plan.
Rather than assuming Cold Laser Therapy is right for everyone, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. first considers what you're experiencing and whether this type of treatment is appropriate for your individual situation.
What Is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold Laser Therapy is a form of low-level light therapy that uses specific wavelengths of light directed toward a targeted area.
You may also encounter terms such as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation when researching this type of treatment.
Unlike surgical lasers designed to cut or remove tissue, Cold Laser Therapy uses lower-intensity light as a therapeutic modality.
The light interacts with biological tissue through processes broadly referred to as photobiomodulation.
Treatment parameters including wavelength, dose, treatment area, and frequency matter. That's one reason Cold Laser Therapy should be used according to the specific device, appropriate protocols, and the individual patient's needs.
Cold Laser Therapy for Muscle, Joint and Soft Tissue Concerns
Most people aren't searching for Cold Laser Therapy because they're fascinated by lasers.
They're searching because something hurts or isn't moving the way they want it to.
Depending on your individual situation, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. may consider Cold Laser Therapy as a supportive modality for certain musculoskeletal or soft tissue concerns.
Those concerns may involve areas such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, or other appropriate tissues.
Perhaps you're dealing with soreness following physical activity. Maybe repetitive movement at work or during exercise has irritated an area. You may be recovering from a strain or other musculoskeletal injury and looking for additional support as part of your care.
The specific diagnosis and individual circumstances matter.
That's why we don't begin with the laser.
We begin with you.
How Does Cold Laser Therapy Work?
Cold Laser Therapy delivers light energy to a targeted treatment area.
At appropriate wavelengths and treatment parameters, light can interact with components within cells and influence biological processes. This process is generally described as photobiomodulation.
Researchers continue to study how photobiomodulation may be used for different musculoskeletal conditions, and results can vary depending on the condition, device, wavelength, dosage, and treatment protocol.
For you as the patient, the most important thing isn't memorizing the science.
It's understanding why Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. is recommending Cold Laser Therapy for your particular situation and how it fits into your overall treatment plan.
What Happens During a Cold Laser Therapy Session?
If Dr. Stojanovich determines that Cold Laser Therapy may be appropriate, we'll explain the treatment before beginning.
A specialized laser device is positioned or moved over the targeted treatment area according to the protocol being used.
There are no incisions or injections involved.
What you feel during treatment can depend on the device and settings being used. Many low-level laser treatments produce little noticeable sensation. We'll explain what you should expect with our specific equipment before your treatment begins.
Treatment time can vary based on the area being addressed and the protocol Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. determines is appropriate.
Cold Laser Therapy as Part of Chiropractic Care
Cold Laser Therapy doesn't have to stand alone.
At Stojanovich Chiropractic, it may be incorporated alongside chiropractic adjustments or other supportive therapies when appropriate.
One patient may need chiropractic care combined with a particular supportive modality. Someone else may arrive with a seemingly similar complaint and need a completely different approach.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. considers your health history, examination findings, symptoms, activities, goals, and response to care when making treatment recommendations.
The technology is a tool.
The treatment plan is about the person.
Cold Laser Therapy for Sports, Exercise and Everyday Injuries
You don't have to be a competitive athlete to experience an activity-related musculoskeletal problem.
Running, strength training, recreational sports, hiking, golfing, gardening, home projects, physical work, or simply repeating the same movement day after day can place demands on muscles, tendons, joints, and other tissues.
When discomfort starts interfering with the things you want or need to do, you may begin changing how you move without realizing it.
For active adults in Walnut Creek and surrounding East Bay communities, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can evaluate the problem and determine whether Cold Laser Therapy or another treatment approach may be appropriate.
The goal isn't simply to receive a laser treatment.
It's to help address the musculoskeletal concern that's getting between you and your normal activities.
Cold Laser Therapy After an Auto Accident or Injury
Musculoskeletal and soft tissue concerns can also occur following an auto accident or other injury.
Because Stojanovich Chiropractic regularly evaluates patients following car accidents, Dr. Stojanovich may incorporate supportive therapies into an individualized treatment plan when clinically appropriate.
Cold Laser Therapy is not automatically used for every accident patient. Treatment depends on the nature of the injury, examination findings, health history, and other individual factors.
When diagnostic imaging, medical evaluation, or another type of care is indicated, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can make an appropriate referral.
Is Cold Laser Therapy Appropriate for Everyone?
No.
Whether Cold Laser Therapy is appropriate depends on your individual health history, treatment area, medications, medical conditions, and other factors, as well as the specifications and labeling of the particular laser device being used.
Before treatment, tell Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. about your health conditions, medications, pregnancy or possible pregnancy, photosensitivity, cancer or a history of cancer, implanted medical devices, recent procedures, and other relevant health information.
Appropriate eye protection should also be used according to the laser device and treatment protocol.
If Cold Laser Therapy isn't appropriate for you, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can discuss other treatment options or recommend another healthcare professional when necessary.
Cold Laser Therapy vs. Red Light Therapy: What's the Difference?
It's easy to understand why these terms become confusing.
Both Cold Laser Therapy and Red Light Therapy can fall within the broader field of photobiomodulation, which involves the therapeutic application of particular wavelengths of light.
However, the light source, wavelength, power, treatment parameters, delivery method, device, and intended use can differ.
At Stojanovich Chiropractic, you don't need to decide whether you need Cold Laser Therapy or Red Light Therapy before scheduling.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can evaluate your concerns and determine whether either modality is appropriate for your individual care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cold Laser Therapy
Is Cold Laser Therapy the Same as a Surgical Laser?
No. Surgical lasers are designed for procedures such as cutting or removing tissue. Cold Laser Therapy uses lower-intensity light as a therapeutic modality and does not involve cutting the skin.
Is Cold Laser Therapy the Same as Red Light Therapy?
Not necessarily. Both can involve photobiomodulation, but the equipment, light source, wavelength, treatment parameters, and intended uses may differ.
Does Cold Laser Therapy Hurt?
Low-level laser treatments are non-invasive and often produce little noticeable sensation. Your experience depends on the particular device and treatment settings. We'll explain what to expect before treatment.
How Long Is a Cold Laser Therapy Session?
Treatment time depends on the area being addressed, the equipment, and the treatment protocol. Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. will determine the appropriate parameters for your individual situation.
How Many Cold Laser Treatments Will I Need?
There isn't one treatment schedule that's appropriate for everyone. Recommendations depend on your condition, individual circumstances, response to treatment, and the protocol being used.
Can Cold Laser Therapy Be Used With Chiropractic Adjustments?
When appropriate, yes. Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. may incorporate Cold Laser Therapy alongside chiropractic adjustments or other supportive therapies as part of an individualized treatment plan.
Can Cold Laser Therapy Be Used After a Car Accident?
It may be considered for certain appropriate musculoskeletal or soft tissue concerns following an auto accident. Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. first evaluates the patient and determines which treatments, imaging, referrals, or other care may be appropriate.
Looking for Cold Laser Therapy in Walnut Creek, California?
If muscle, tendon, joint, or other musculoskeletal discomfort is making it harder to work, exercise, stay active, or participate comfortably in everyday life, you don't need to figure out which treatment you need before calling.
That's what the evaluation is for.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. serves patients from Walnut Creek and surrounding Contra Costa County and East Bay communities with individualized chiropractic care and supportive therapies.
Contact Stojanovich Chiropractic to schedule an appointment and find out whether Cold Laser Therapy may be appropriate for you.
