Research on the Benefits of Laser Therapy

What health problems have shown benefits from Laser Therapy?

Soft Tissue Injuries Tendinopathies Back and Neck Pain Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Myofascical Trigger Points Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) Sprains, Strains Repetitive Strain Injuries Chondromalacia Patellae Planter Fascitis Degenerative Joint Conditions Rheumatoid Arthritis Osteoarthritis
Neurogenic Pain Herpes Zoster (Shingles) RSD/CRPS Post-traumatic Injury Trigeminal Neuralgia Fibromyalgia Diabetic Neuropathy Chronic Non-Healing Wounds Venous Ulcers Amputee Stumps Diabetic Foot Ulcers Burns	What does research demonstrate: Injuries treated with laser therapy heal faster Laser Therapy has a strengthening effect on tissue repair Laser Therapy improves blood flow & lymphatic drainage It is an effective means of relief for many pain syndromes It can improve immune response

Low-level laser therapy

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT; also known as biostimulation and photobiostimulation) is a form of phototherapy that involves the application of low-power monochromatic and coherent light to injuries and lesions in order to stimulate wound healing. LLLT has been shown to increase the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair, resolve inflammation and provide pain relief (supporting literature is reviewed later in the article). Lasers are already used in a variety of medical and surgical fields, including dentistry, chiropractice, osteopathy, physiotherapy, cosmetic, pain attenuation, wound healing and acupuncture to name but a few (e.g. Walsh, 1997).

The effects of LLLT are photochemical, not thermal, and the responses of cells occur due to changes in photoacceptor molecules (also known as chromophores [molecules which are able to absorb photonic energy]; Tuner and Hode, 2002), such as porphyrin. The exact mechanism of action of LLLT is not completely understood. However, it is known that during laser irradiation cells absorb photonic energy that is incorporated into chromophores, which, in turn, stimulates cellular metabolism (Pinheiro et al, 2002).

The chromophore is able to transfer the absorbed energy to other molecules and thus cause chemical reactions in surrounding tissue. The acceptor molecules' kinetic energy is increased, thereby activating or deactivating enzymes, which, in turn, are able to alter the physical and/or chemical properties of other macromolecules (for example DNA and RNA; Matic et al, 2003; Takac and Stojanovic, 1998) in order to facilitate wound healing. Energy which is delivered to the cells produces insignificant and minimal temperature changes, typically in the range of 0.1-0.5[degrees]C (Nemeth, 1993).

Dr Francis Phelps III

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