Which mechanism of laser therapy is responsible for pain relief?

The mechanism of laser therapy that is primarily responsible for pain relief is biostimulation. This process involves the interaction of laser light with tissues at a cellular level, promoting healing and reducing inflammation, which can directly lead to a decrease in pain perception.

Biostimulation works by enhancing cellular metabolism and stimulating the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is essential for energy transfer in cells. This boost in cellular activity not only aids in tissue repair but also modulates pain pathways in the nervous system, contributing to improved pain relief.

While other options like thermal effects and photochemical effects may play roles in laser therapy, they are not primarily focused on pain relief. Thermal effects can induce heat in tissues, potentially providing relief but also risking tissue damage if not carefully controlled. Photochemical effects involve changes at the molecular level that may also contribute, but they are less directly associated with the process of alleviating pain than biostimulation. Cryotherapy, on the other hand, refers specifically to cold treatments that numb pain rather than utilizing laser therapy's inherent mechanisms. Thus, biostimulation stands out as the key mechanism for pain relief in laser therapy.