LASER THERAPY BENEFITS
• Non-Toxic
• Non-Invasive
• Easy to Apply
• No Side Effects or Pain
• Extremely Safe
• Cost Effective for Patient
• Highly Effective for Patient (>90% efficacy)
• Growing Acceptance of Laser Technology
• Superior Alternative to: Analgesics, NSAID’s, Other
Medications, Other Modalities
• Reduces Need for Surgery
• Virtually No Contra-Indications
Therapeutic Laser Biological Effects
Rapid Cell Growth – Laser light accelerates cellular reproduction and growth.
Faster Wound Healing – Laser light stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue.
Increased Metabolic Activity – Higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells and
thus greater production of the basic food source for cells, Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP).
Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation – Laser light reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from: cuts,
scratches, burns or post surgery.
Anti-Inflammatory Action – Laser light reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints to give enhanced
joint mobility.
Increased Vascular Activity – Laser light induces temporary vasodilation increasing blood flow to damaged areas.
Stimulated Nerve Function – Slow recovery of nerve function in damaged tissue can result in “dead” limbs or numb areas.
Laser light speeds the process of nerve cell reconnection to bring the numb areas back to life.
Current Search / Relevant Findings Specific to the Effects of Low Level Laser
Cellular Effects:
* Enhances mast cell degradation (C. Diamantopoulos ’94)
* Increased DNA synthesis (Mester et al., ‘85)
* Enhanced RNA production (Gam ‘77)
* Increased ATP synthesis within mitochondria (Passarella, ‘94, Baxter, ‘94)
* Stimulates phagocytic activity of neutrophils (Piller & Thelander ‘98)
* Increases macrophage activity (Kitchen & Partridge ‘91)
* Increase in cell proliferation (Baxter & Diamantopoulos ‘94)
* Increase in number and degranulation of mast cells (El Sayed & Dyson ‘94)
* Release of growth factor from mononuclear leukocytes (Shields et al, ‘92)
* T-cell and B-cell inhibition (Mester et al, ‘85)
Tissue Effects:
* Accelerates fibroblast proliferation (Lam ‘96)
* Increase in fibroplasia (Baxter ‘94)
* Conversion of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts (Baxter,’94)
* Increase in angiogenesis (Ghali & Dyson, ‘92, Baxter ‘94)
* Increased collagen synthesis and deposition (Enwermeka ‘88, ‘90)
* Increased lymph vessel diameter (Piller & Thelander ‘98)
* Accelerates angiogenesis (Ghali & Dyson ‘92)
* Reduced inflammatory cell infiltration of synovium
Systemic Effects:
* Prevention of traumatic nerve degeneration (Schwartz et al ‘94)
* Increased in nerve conduction latency, promoting analgesic effect (Baxter et al, ‘90)
* Reduced formation of scar, hyperkeratotic lesions (Abergel et al, ‘84)
* Stimulating effect on the formation of callous at fracture site (Kokino et al, ‘85)
* Accelerates oedema resorption (Piller & Thelander ‘94)
* Regeneration of capillaries (Maier et al, ‘90)
* Enhanced collagen synthesis and matrix / tissue remodeling ((Lam ‘86)
* Reduced response to painful stimuli (Baxter ‘92) * Regulator of local tissue inflammation (Palma et al, ‘91)
* Enhanced tissue repair (Lasers in science and medicine-supplement ‘92)
* Fracture consolidation accelerated (Trelles & Mayayo, 81)
* Enhances lymphatic and vascular regeneration (Piller & Thelander ‘94)
Author: Elizabeth Reid, P.T., CAWC.
Short Term Effects:
* Production and release of beta-endorphins (these are morphine like substances produced by various cells in the body that
inhibit the sensation of pain)
* Cortisol production is increased (cortisol is the precursor of cortisone). This enables the body to combat the stress
associated
with trauma or the disease process
* The short-term effect is significant in 5-10% of cases during or after the conclusion of the initial treatment, but is not as
important as the long term or cumulative effect.
Long Term or Cumaltive Effects:
* ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production is increased resulting in improved cellular metabolism
* DNA (desoxyribosenucleicacid) production, the protein building block of tissue is substantially increased
* Neurotransmission is facilitated due to elevated levels of serotonin and aceytylecholine
* Mitochondrial activity is stimulated resulting in cell replication etc.
* Modulation of macrophages, fibroblasts and other cells
* Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels)
* Regulates cell membrane potential, essential in NA+, CL and K+ ion transfer (electrolyte balance)
* Cytokines and other chemicals enhancing cellular communications are released
Other Effects:
* The immune response is stimulated. Higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads
for blood
cells and a more effective immune system are induced by laser light.
* Laser light stimulates fibroblast development in damaged tissue
* Lymphatic drainage is improved. Laser light activates lymph vessels to allow the affected tissue to drain interstitial
fluids, reducing the inflammatory process.
* Vasodilatation of the circulatory system results in greater oxygen and fuel delivery to the affected area
* Laser light reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns or following surgery
* Laser light reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints to give improved joint mobility.
* Slow Laser light also increases the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action.
* The histamine response is positively altered. Stimulation of the healing process is accompanied by relief of symptoms
* Production of growth hormones is increased. Laser light accelerates cellular reproduction and growth.
* It should be noted that many other positive physiological activities are modulated and extensive research is currently
in progress to fully explore these changes.
