Low-Level Laser Therapy, also known as "Cold Lasers"
Laser acupuncture is gaining popularity. Why not have a pain-free option? Even the most experienced acupuncturist may have one or two needles that were uncomfortable upon the insertion.
Many acupuncturists in Europe use this as their only form of treatment, and acupuncturists in America are starting to incorporate this into their practice.
The experimentation of using laser therapy started in the 1950's, mainly for treatment of healing of scar tissue and cellular metabolism. In the 1980's lasers started their use of replacing acupuncture needles in practice. Photobiology is the study of how light affects living things, and includes studies of single-celled organisms, plants, animals and humans. Laser acupuncture is a field of study within photobiology.
In 1991 a study in Russia used a low-level laser to stimulate acupuncture points. They found that light traveled under the skin from one acupuncture point to another, but never traveled to places that were not acupuncture meridians. This study showed the body has a unique fiber optic network using the acupuncture meridians and acupuncture points. Studies using brain imaging showed that laser stimulation on acupuncture point Bladder 67 showed measurable effects in the brain when the laser was turned on, and the effects stopped when the laser was turned off.
Multiple published studies have shown good effects of laser acupuncture for the following conditions: hiccups, bed wetting, weight loss, post-operative nausea and vomiting, pain control, surgical anesthesia, dental anesthesia, carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, tinnitus, allergies, stroke-related paralysis, and many more!
There is no pain with a low-level laser, as a matter of fact you cannot feel anything at all! This is a great form of acupuncture treatment for those with needle-phobia, sensitive patients, cases where a needle cannot be used, children, and the elderly. Patients can even purchase a laser themselves and use this as a form of treatment between their regularly scheduled acupuncture treatments. Very safe and zero side-effects.
Acupuncture lasers do not require the use of glasses because they are Class IIIa lasers. These are considered eye safe because the blink reflex is fast enough to prevent any damage to the retina. Because lasers have been shown to stimulate cell growth and repair, it's not a good idea to treat where you don't want cell growth, such as skin cancer.
Classifications of a laser used in acupuncture treatment:
635 nM (Red) -The most common.
Article about low-level lasers treating respiratory disease:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=30028
Article about low-level lasers treating cardiovascular disease:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31494
Article about low-level lasers treating musculoskeletal disorders:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=28152
Article about low-level lasers treating ear disorders:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31602
Randomized Trial - Trauma and Wound Healing
Wound Healing in Animals and Humans with Use of Low-Level Laser Therapy - Treatment of Operated Sport and Traffic Injuries: A Randomized Clinical Study. Zlatko Simunovic, MD, FMH, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, La Caritá Medical Center, Laser Center, Locarno, Switzerland; Anthony D. Ivankovich, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Arsen Depolo, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Medical School, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
Background and Objective: The main objective of current animal and clinical studies was to assess the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on wound healing in rabbits and humans.
Study Design/Materials and Methods: A randomized, controlled study in rabbits initially evaluated the effects of laser irradiation on the healing of surgical wounds. The application of LLLT to human tissues is comparable to animal tissues of similar physiological structure, so a clinical evaluation was subsequently conducted. After surgical therapy for injuries involving the ankle and knee bilaterally; Achilles tendon; epicondylus; shoulder; wrist; or interphalangeal joints of hands unilaterally, LLLT was used in 74 patients for 18 days. Infrared diode laser (GaAlAs) 830 nm continuous wave was used for treatment of Trigger Point (TP) and HeNe 632.8 nm combined with diode laser 904 nm pulsed wave laser for scanning procedures, both applied as monotherapy during the current clinical study. The presence of redness, heat, pain, swelling and loss of function was assessed.
Results: Wound healing was significantly accelerated (25-35%) in the group of patients treated with LLLT. Pain relief and functional recovery of patients treated with LLLT were significantly improved comparing to untreated patients.
Conclusion: In addition to accelerated wound healing, the main advantages of LLLT of postoperative sport- and traffic-related injuries are reduced exposure to side-effects of drugs; significantly accelerated functional recovery; and earlier return to work, training and sport competition, with cost benefit compared to control patients.
Other various case studies:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=28207
Many acupuncturists in Europe use this as their only form of treatment, and acupuncturists in America are starting to incorporate this into their practice.
The experimentation of using laser therapy started in the 1950's, mainly for treatment of healing of scar tissue and cellular metabolism. In the 1980's lasers started their use of replacing acupuncture needles in practice. Photobiology is the study of how light affects living things, and includes studies of single-celled organisms, plants, animals and humans. Laser acupuncture is a field of study within photobiology.
In 1991 a study in Russia used a low-level laser to stimulate acupuncture points. They found that light traveled under the skin from one acupuncture point to another, but never traveled to places that were not acupuncture meridians. This study showed the body has a unique fiber optic network using the acupuncture meridians and acupuncture points. Studies using brain imaging showed that laser stimulation on acupuncture point Bladder 67 showed measurable effects in the brain when the laser was turned on, and the effects stopped when the laser was turned off.
Multiple published studies have shown good effects of laser acupuncture for the following conditions: hiccups, bed wetting, weight loss, post-operative nausea and vomiting, pain control, surgical anesthesia, dental anesthesia, carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, tinnitus, allergies, stroke-related paralysis, and many more!
There is no pain with a low-level laser, as a matter of fact you cannot feel anything at all! This is a great form of acupuncture treatment for those with needle-phobia, sensitive patients, cases where a needle cannot be used, children, and the elderly. Patients can even purchase a laser themselves and use this as a form of treatment between their regularly scheduled acupuncture treatments. Very safe and zero side-effects.
Acupuncture lasers do not require the use of glasses because they are Class IIIa lasers. These are considered eye safe because the blink reflex is fast enough to prevent any damage to the retina. Because lasers have been shown to stimulate cell growth and repair, it's not a good idea to treat where you don't want cell growth, such as skin cancer.
Classifications of a laser used in acupuncture treatment:
- Wavelength: This refers to the color of the laser and is measured in nanometers (nm). At the high end of the color spectrum, we find violet and ultraviolet in the 400 nm range. At the low end of the spectrum, we find infrared light at 700 nm and above. Common acupuncture wavelengths are red, in the 635-650 nm range. Other colors you may find available are blue, ultraviolet and green. Different wavelengths have different applications.
- Output: This refers to the power or brightness of the beam, measured in milliwatts (mW). Most commonly you will find 5 mW lasers for acupuncture—which are classified as IIIa according to the FDA. Though these lasers have a lower-power output, they work well for acupuncture because we work with energy medicine.
635 nM (Red) -The most common.
- The same wavelength produced inside the cells of the body, so it is biologically compatible with the body.
- Stimulatory effect: increases ATP production in the cell.
- TONIFYING effect on an acupuncture point.
Article about low-level lasers treating respiratory disease:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=30028
Article about low-level lasers treating cardiovascular disease:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31494
Article about low-level lasers treating musculoskeletal disorders:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=28152
Article about low-level lasers treating ear disorders:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31602
Randomized Trial - Trauma and Wound Healing
Wound Healing in Animals and Humans with Use of Low-Level Laser Therapy - Treatment of Operated Sport and Traffic Injuries: A Randomized Clinical Study. Zlatko Simunovic, MD, FMH, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, La Caritá Medical Center, Laser Center, Locarno, Switzerland; Anthony D. Ivankovich, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Arsen Depolo, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Medical School, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
Background and Objective: The main objective of current animal and clinical studies was to assess the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on wound healing in rabbits and humans.
Study Design/Materials and Methods: A randomized, controlled study in rabbits initially evaluated the effects of laser irradiation on the healing of surgical wounds. The application of LLLT to human tissues is comparable to animal tissues of similar physiological structure, so a clinical evaluation was subsequently conducted. After surgical therapy for injuries involving the ankle and knee bilaterally; Achilles tendon; epicondylus; shoulder; wrist; or interphalangeal joints of hands unilaterally, LLLT was used in 74 patients for 18 days. Infrared diode laser (GaAlAs) 830 nm continuous wave was used for treatment of Trigger Point (TP) and HeNe 632.8 nm combined with diode laser 904 nm pulsed wave laser for scanning procedures, both applied as monotherapy during the current clinical study. The presence of redness, heat, pain, swelling and loss of function was assessed.
Results: Wound healing was significantly accelerated (25-35%) in the group of patients treated with LLLT. Pain relief and functional recovery of patients treated with LLLT were significantly improved comparing to untreated patients.
Conclusion: In addition to accelerated wound healing, the main advantages of LLLT of postoperative sport- and traffic-related injuries are reduced exposure to side-effects of drugs; significantly accelerated functional recovery; and earlier return to work, training and sport competition, with cost benefit compared to control patients.
Other various case studies:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=28207
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