Cold laser therapy may sound like the kind of treatment one would read about in a science fiction novel. However, over the past decade, it has become a recognized and often preferred magnetic pulse therapy treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain sufferers who wish to avoid invasive procedures.

Cold lasers are handheld, non-surgical devices used in a clinical setting. They work by emitting specific wavelengths of light thereby stimulating activity in the tissue at the cellular level. Once the metabolic rate of the cell is increased it initiates several beneficial biochemical events. The most obvious benefit is a reduction in both pain and inflammation.

For example, a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study reported in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery found that laser therapy significantly relieved osteoarthritis knee pain and swelling in patients. The study also found that the range of motion in the knee joint increased, and there was less sensitivity and tenderness around the knee joint.

In addition to helping reduce pain and swelling in and around the knee joint, research indicates that cold laser therapy may help arthritic knee by doing the following:

Increases production of fibroblasts: Fibroblasts are needed to make cartilage.

Interleukin-1 is suppressed: Interleukin-1 is a protein that, when released, plays a direct role in the destruction of cartilage, it promotes the release of more enzymes that lead to the destruction of cartilage, and this type II collagen from being produced (so that cartilage cannot be rebuilt or replaced). The osteoarthritic knee has high levels of this protein so cold laser therapy inhibits the release of this protein allowing cartilage to be retained.

Improves Tissue Tensile Strength: Cold laser treatment is believed to improve the tissue's intra- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonding thereby improving the strength of cartilage so that it does not wear out or injure easily.

Finally, for individuals suffering from osteoarthritis knee pain, and needing relief from their knee pain, a non-invasive procedure should be preferred, which should be done by a doctor specializing in cold laser therapy for knee pain. You should consider searching.