The popularity of cold laser therapy (also known as low level laser therapy or laser biostimulation) has been growing tremendously in recent years. There are tons of companies out there today advertising cold laser treatments that claim to be effective against a wide variety of ailments, from arthritis to nicotine addiction. But does it actually work? And if so, how? Here is a brief overview of low level laser technology and what it can do. The Pioneering Studies of Endre Mester Hungarian researcher Endre Mester is largely acknowledged as the founder of cold laser therapy. In 1967, his experiments with low level laser light led to the discovery that cold lasers had the potential to stimulate tissue repair. Cold laser therapy focused on using the non-destructive attributes of laser light to inhibit or stimulate cell function. This was a radical shift from the typical use of medical laser equipment, which focused on the destructive, thermal qualities of laser light, using lasers to remove or destroy tissue, essentially as highly precise surgical scalpels. Since Mester's pioneering experiments, scientists and medical researchers have been conducting experiments and tests to further the field of cold laser therapy. Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledges the effectiveness of low level laser therapy for the treatment of certain ailments, but it still considers the field to be experimental. Some of the things for which cold laser therapy treatments have been shown to work include: Pain ReliefLow level laser treatments have been shown to stimulate increased levels of beta-endorphins, which are neuropeptides that function as natural analgesics. Accelerated Tissue RepairCold laser light affects tissue cells' mitochondria, which is the part of the cell responsible for the production of chemical energy (ATP). The accelerated production of ATP speeds up the overall activity of the cells, which helps in tissue repair and healing. This method can work for the treatment of skin, bone, muscle, ligament and even nerve damage. Reduced InflammationCold laser therapy has also been shown to help reduce inflammation after an acute body injury by increasing the production of anti-inflammatory compounds in the body, such as prostaglandin. Low level laser light can also reduce the body levels of interleukin, which is a pro-inflammatory component, connected to diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis. Official FDA ApprovalAs medical laser equipment technology has continued to develop and improve, the FDA has officially approved several cold laser procedures. In November of 2006, cold laser therapy was approved for the treatment of lymphedema, and in March of 2009, for the treatment of arthritis and various types of chronic pain. Many of the cold laser treatments advertized online, however, do not have official FDA approval. Make sure to do your homework on any cold laser treatment you are thinking of getting before you go through with it.