Laser Light Therapy is a physical modality that emits photons in very specific regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Laser Light Therapy is the most researched and published modality in physical rehabilitation and has demonstrated a multitude of clinical benefits that include relieving pain and stiffness associated with joint pain, relaxing muscle spasms and increasing local blood circulation.

There is significant confusion about the terminology related to Laser Light Therapy. The most commonly confused terms are light sources as they relate to wavelength and power delivered(e.g. Low Level Laser Therapy - LLLT, Super Luminious Diodes - SLD, andLight Emitting Diodes - LED). All of these light sources can be administered therapeutically, but a main difference is the depth of penetration into the body's tissue.

Light Source Diodes - All therapeutic light sources available today are generated by a semi-conductor diode. Low Level Laser, SLD and LED light sources generate different types of light.

LLLT - Low Level Laser Therapy

• Collimated light with a small spot size in the invisible near-infrared range of light
• Wavelength range of approximately 700 to 1000 Nanometers (nm)
• These devices allow light to penetrate deeper into the body than light from SLD"s or LED's and offer greater versatility in the treatment of deep and superficial conditions.
  
  SLD's - Super Luminous Diode
• Non-collimated light with a larger spot size in the visible red or infrared range of light
• Wavelength of 660 to 880 nm
• SLD's overall depth of penetration is less than laser diode generated light, however, it is generally greater than LED's. SLD's are commonly used in the treatment of superficial conditions.
  
  LED's - Light Emitting Diode
• Non-collimated light with the largest spot size in the visible red range of light.
• Red LED's wavelength range is 620 to 690 nm
• This light reaches only a few millimeters into the body's tissues. It is an option when the condition is very close to the surface.