Frequently Asked Questions about Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Q. What is a Laser and how does Laser Light differ from daylight?

A. A laser is a device that emits a special form of light. Laser light consists of light waves of a single wavelength in which all the waves reinforce one another, called COHERENCE. If you imagine heavy surf with large waves breaking on a beach instead of many small waves, you get a sense of COHERENT light. The term LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Radiation in this case refers to the coherent light energy released, which produces the laser beam. In contrast, normal daylight is incoherent light. It consists of all of the colors of the rainbow, with wavelengths from 400 nanometers (nm), where the light is a blue color, to the rich, red wavelengths of 750 nm. Our Respond Laser Therapy System generates light at a wavelength of 904 nm; in the infrared spectrum, where laser light is invisible to the naked eye.

Q. What does the phrase Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) mean?

A. Low level Laser Therapy (LLLT) means the use of low powered laser light, in the range of 1-1000mW, to stimulate a biological process. Just as plants exposed to normal sunlight synthesize carbohydrates in the process of photosynthesis, laser light stimulates the formation and release of the body’s own chemical compounds. In LLLT, the infrared laser energy has a stimulating effect on tissues because it increases cellular energy. The laser light energy becomes absorbed by the tissues, stimulating their metabolic processes.

Q. How do you use the laser for therapy? Is it difficult?

A. Treatment is simple and painless. It is similar to holding a flashlight close to the skin and shining the light on it. There is no sensation of pain, nor is there an increase in temperature from the laser. Treatment times vary based upon the size of the area to be treated, and the output power of the laser. Most treatments take 5-10 minutes, although the treatment of acupuncture points takes only 1-2 minutes per point.

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Using the 2400XL laser is simple. Just place the ultra-wide head on the stifle, hold in one place for approximately 30 seconds, and then move to the next spot. In second photo, the ultra-wide head is used to treat a knee just as easily. You treat the front, sides and back of the knee, spending about 5 minutes altogether.

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Q. Are there any negative effects from LLLT?

A. In all the years that low level lasers have been tested in research and clinical applications, no adverse side effects or negative impacts have been reported. This is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies lasers like the Respond Laser Therapy Systems as “Non-Significant Risk” devices, requiring a minimum of safety precautions. The only precaution is that which discourages direct viewing of the laser beam. Care should be exercised not to stare into the laser beam or to point it at the eyes, and the use of safety glasses is recommended.

Q. How long have low level lasers been used for therapy?

A. Low level lasers have been used by doctors in hospitals and clinics in Europe on both humans and animals since the early 1970’s. In fact, the first studies reporting positive effects of laser on wound healing in rats were reported by the Hungarian researcher Andre Mester as early as 1968. In the United States, therapeutic lasers have been used by veterinarians since the late 1970’s. Just recently the U.S. FDA has given marketing approval to laser therapy devices for human use, beginning the trend to widespread use of LLLT in the United States.

Q. In simple terms, what does LLLT do?

A. A huge amount of research data has been collected on the effects of laser therapy (over 2000 double-blind studies) both in laboratory and clinical settings. The following excerpts demonstrate some of the most significant results: (Check the bibliography if you would like to do some in-depth reading.)

1. Wound healing is significantly improved by low level laser therapy, even non-healing wounds, thought to be due to the increased level of collagen brought about by laser treatment. Collagen, the chief constituent of connective tissue, is recognized as the most important ingredient in wound healing. See Dr. Andre F. Mester and Dr. Adam Mester, LLLT and Wound Healing, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., 1989.

2. Increases in blood flow by means of capillary and arterial widening of the lumen of blood vessels, vasodilatation. See Dr. Toshiaki Kami, Effects of Low Power Diode Lasers, Annals of Plastic Surgery, Vol. 14, No. 3, March 1985. (Dr. Kami’s work also showed that the laser light significantly increased the formation of new capillary paths in treated areas, which resulted in increased circulation.)

3. Marked improvement in re-establishment of the lymphatic system after trauma, resulting in reduction of swelling. This is due to the evacuation of dirty proteins by the regenerated lymphatic vessels. (See Dr. P.C. Lieven, The Influence of Laser on the Lymphatic Systems, Presented at the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Eight Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas 4/25-4/28, 1988)

4. Laser light stimulates release of the body’s own killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins Facilitating natural, long lasting pain relief. Dr. Wolfgang Rauermeister, Director of Pain Control Center at Parkwood Hospital, Massachusetts, USA has provided the best explanation of these pain reduction capabilities:
“The laser light stimulates the release of the body’s own pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins from the brain, adrenal glands, and other areas, thus facilitating long lasting pain relief.”

Low level laser therapy is an effective therapy, working in harmony with the body’s own healing and relieving mechanisms. There are no harmful side effects reported from laser therapy.

What Are The Effects of Laser Light on Tissue?

Laser light causes five (5) actions on tissue, which have been documented as the basis for treatment benefits. They are listed below, summarized from medical and veterinary research articles. The articles can be purchased from http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi.

Accelerated Tissue Repair
The most common example of the conversion of light energy into chemical energy is photosynthesis, where plants manufacture food from carbon dioxide and water. Light energy from the sun is the essential item in that process. No reasonable person disputes photosynthesis, it is a well-known process that converts photons of light energy into chemical energy.

The action of laser light on tissue is quite similar to photosynthesis in plants. Photons of light from a laser penetrate deep into tissue and power the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a molecule that is a major carrier of energy from one reaction site to another, in all living cells. Increases in ATP, as a result of laser light, increases the energy available to cells so that the cell can take in nutrients faster and expel waste products. In straightforward terms, the cells of tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired faster when exposed to laser light. How much faster? A good rule of thumb is that healing time is reduced by one-half to two-thirds the time it would normally take, all other factors remaining equal.

Rapid Formation of Collagen
Collagen is the most common protein found in the body. It is estimated that 80% of an animal’s body is made up of this important, fibrous protein. Various types of tissue make up the body. Connective tissue is the most widely distributed, where fibroblast cells produce the tissue fiber. The “extra” energy produced by the laser light is used by fibroblasts to increase collagen production. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair tissue injuries. Perhaps the most common example of collagen is the clear, sticky substance found around open wounds. Wounds are healed, or closed over, very rapidly by the application of laser light. There is also less scar tissue formed when laser light is applied to the are, since the rate of healing is improved.

Beneficial Effect on Nerve Cells and the Production of B-Endorphins
Laser light has a highly beneficial effect on nerve cells which blocks pain transmitted by these cells to the brain. Studies have shown that laser light increases the activity of the ATP-dependent NaK pump. In this case, laser light increases the potential difference across the cell membrane moving the resting potential further from the firing threshold, thus, decreasing nerve ending sensitivity. A less understood pain blocking mechanism involves the product of high levels of painkilling chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins from the brain, adrenal gland and other areas, as a result of stimulation by laser light.

Accelerated Lymphatic System Activity and Reduction in Edema
Everyone wants to reduce swelling in a horse’s leg. The problem is that the veins in the leg are capable of removing only one component of the fluid in the swelling. Blood vessels can remove the water, but not the dirty proteins that are present. If you have a treatment modality that accelerates the blood flow, you have not solved the problem. The lymphatic system is needed to carry away the dirty proteins found in edema. Laser studies conducted in 1987 and 1988 indicate that laser light is capable of doubling the size of lymphatic ducts in the area and rapidly removing protein waste. Another important aspect of the study showed that laser light was capable of “perfect” regeneration of the lymphatic system in the immediate area, no leakage, no confused networks of ducts. In the normal regeneration of lymphatic systems, the ducts are leaky and the duct network is complex and confused, leading to a tendency to have the same problem occur again in the same area.

Formation of New Capillaries and Increased Blood Flow
Many types of therapy will increase blood flow, and laser light does this extremely well. What is not recognized, however, is that the laser will actually increase the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue. This formation is responsible for speeding up the healing process, closing wounds quickly and reducing scar tissue.

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