What is Low Level Laser Therapy?
LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY DEVICES ARE INTENDED FOR INVESTIGATIONAL AND CLINICAL TRIAL USE
UNDER IRB GUIDELINES IF UTILIZED BEYOND THE CONDITIONS FOR WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN FDA CLEARED FOR.
Low level laser therapy aims to biostimulate. Because of the low power nature of low level lasers, the effects are biochemical and not thermal and cannot cause heating and thereby damage to living tissue. Four distinct effects are known to occur when using low level laser therapy:
A) Growth factor response within cells and tissue as a result of increased ATP and protein synthesis; Improved cell proliferation; Change in cell membrane permeability to calcium up-take.
B) Pain relief as a result of increased endorphin release; Increased serotonin; Suppression of nociceptor action.
C) Strengthening the immune system response via increasing levels of lymphocyte activity and through a newly researched mechanism termed photomodulation of blood.
Parameters for Use of Low Level Laser Therapy Devices
Three parameters are important for clinicians to achieve the best possible therapeutic effects when using low level laser.
A) Selection of the correct beneficial Wavelength
B) The use of the correct Power levels
C) The consistent application of the necessary amount of Energy measured in Joules. Another factor which has to be considered in laser therapy is Pulsing Frequency.
* Wavelength is measured in nanometers.
- It is set in the probe
and cannot be changed
- The 3B lasers are
produced with wavelengths between 600 and 1000nm
Red Light Laser Probes
with Wavelengths between 620 and 675nm. Investigational Use Only!
- Readily absorbed by
the mitochondria and therefore potentially stimulatory
- Excellent source of
stimulation of a range of growth factors
- Red Light does
not penetrate very effectively below the skin surface and
into the tissue below
- Red light is the best
for wound healing or superficial conditions but is not the most
effective way to treat deeper injury
Infrared (Invisible) Laser Probes with Wavelengths between 780 and 950nm.
*
Absorbed through the cell walls (acting differently between cells) and
therefore cell response is more wavelength specific in the infrared
range, responding differently to different wavelengths
*
More penetrative through the tissue,
especially the 7850-830nm range, therefore this range is selected for
treatment through intact skin and pain relief
*
Cluster probes with a range of wavelengths offer the best of both worlds
to a clinician
How to Calculate the
Necessary Energy
Power (watts or milliwatts) is the strength of the probe and is set at the factory by Omega. Clinicians need to know the power of the probe they are choosing to use and also have the probes regularly checked to ensure that they are running to full power. This check can be quite simply carried out by a special measuring device in the Omega systems.
The simple formulae as outlined above shows the calculation necessary to establish the amount of energy which we as clinicians are providing in each treatment. The relationship is Energy (as measured in Joules) = Power × Time. Omega provides detailed literature on the most commonly calculated procedures.
To create a response in the growth factor cells or to provide pain relief it is necessary to make sure that we are delivering sufficient energy
Simply, to increase the energy being delivered by the probe you increase the time of treatment.
Low level laser Pulsing Rate
Pulsing rate equals the number of times per second light is emitted. Research has demonstrated there are pulsing rate specific effects with low level laser therapy. Concise details of optimal pulsing frequencies and energy density requirements are supplied with our laser equipment.
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