The following table compares several "alternative" therapies and tries to make distinctions for each technology. This table is targeting patients with pain control issues. All these therapies are appropriate for some patients and all should be considered for dealing with special health issues. The information is presented here for general purposes. You should consult a local practitioner to help select the best therapy for your specific health problems.

 

Cold Laser

Acupuncture

Ultrasound

Electrical Stimulation

Pain Control

Joint, Head, Migraines, Muscular

Joint, Head, Migraines, Muscular

Joint, Muscular

Muscular

Benefits

Increase circulation, faster healing. May reduce inflammation. May permanently eliminate acute and chronic pain.

Increase circulation, faster healing. May permanently eliminate acute and chronic pain

High-energy sound waves penetrate deep into tissue to cause tissue/muscle warming, increased vessel vasodilatation and increase circulation. Short-term changes in cell membrane permeability.

Electrical stimulation produces a mild current that can prevent pain messages from being transmitted to the brain. May raise the level of endorphins (natural pain killers produced by the brain).

Tissues Affected

Absorbed by all tissues including skin, subcutaneous, tendons, muscles, and nerves

Direct tissue contact, may result in bruising and bleeding

Absorbed by white connective tissue

Muscle tissue only

Treatment Times

2-6 Minutes

20-60 Minutes

5-8 Minutes

15-20 Minutes

Body Contact

Dry contact

Penetration of skin

Requires gel or water medium

Requires Electrodes

Patient Comfort

Soft sensation or no sensation

(may feel warm)

May experience pain or spasms while needles are in place

Discomfort with excess heating of tissues (especially if not moving electrode)

Mild to severe discomfort with tingling and potential burning

Use On Children

Ok for use on children

Usually limited to acupressure

Use caution

Use extreme caution

Patient Restrictions

Do not use over suspicious or cancerous lesions, or on pregnant women

Do not use on suspicious or cancerous lesions, or on pregnant women

Not for use with patients with circulation or neuropath conditions, pacemakers, cancer, or pregnant women

Not for use with patients with circulation or neuropath conditions, pacemakers, cancer, or pregnant women

Cautions

Eye protection Required

Proper sanitary procedures require since skin is broken

Potential tissue damage

Potential for burns and blisters
Potential for cardiac arrhythmia. Electrode placement is critical

Administration

Very little training required for safe operation. No License require for  lower power levels.

Therapy must be performed by a well-trained professional to be safe and effective.

Therapy must be performed by a well-trained professional to be safe and effective.

Can be self administered but require proper training to be safe and effective.

Notes:

Also called Low Level Laser (LLL)
Can be used in conjunction with other therapies

Can be used in conjunction with other therapies

 

"TENS" is the acronym for Transcutaneous
Electrical
Nerve Stimulation.
There is significant overlap between these therapies. In some cases, it may be best to use more than one therapy to maximize healing and shorted your recovery period. Each patient and each condition is unique. Always consult a professional when evaluating therapy options including cold laser therapy.