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| How does Phototherapy work?
When the photons of light penetrate the skin and underlying tissue, they are absorbed by the cell, and converted into energy, thereby the cell membrane permeability is altered, this triggers a cascade of cellular events including: Photo/laser therapy can be used as a single therapy or adjunctive therapy in combination with other therapies. How are phototherapy treatments administered? Laser/Phototherapy devices are positioned directly on the skin with gentle pressure applied. Generally there is no discomfort or sensation associated with treatment. Does phototherapy affect only the area being treated? The affects of Phototherapy treatment can be: |
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A Brief History
of Medical Lasers |
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There are two types of medical lasers: high power and low power. High power lasers are used to cut through tissue. Low-level lasers, on the other hand, are used to stimulate tissue repair through a process of bio-stimulation. The word "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The theory was first described by Albert Einstein (1879-1955) who paved the way for the development of the therapeutic laser. The first low level therapeutic laser was developed in 1962. By the end of the 1960's, Endre Mester in Hungary was reporting an improved healing of wounds through low level laser radiation. Since then, scientists and doctors around the world have been using laser light to treat conditions which can affect all age groups.
Low level laser therapy is the application of red and near infrared light over injuries or wounds to improve soft tissue healing and relieve both acute and chronic pain. Low level therapy uses cold (sub-thermal) laser light energy to direct bio-stimulative light energy to the body's cells without injuring or damaging them in any way. The therapy is precise and accurate, offering safe and effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions. The energy range of low level laser light lies between 1 and 500 mW (milliwatts), while the energy range for surgical lasers lies between 3,000 and 10,000 mW. |
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provides relief for:
• Arthritis/Rheumatism
• Tendonitis
- Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
• Repetitive Stress Injuries
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Neck and Lower Back Pain
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Strains and Sprains
• Migraine Headaches
As scientists have understood more about the nature of light and its positive effects on the body, new techniques and devices have been developed to use light as part of the healing process. This is referred to as low level laser therapy or phototherapy. Phototherapy is an umbrella term that can include light from low level lasers as well as superluminous diodes, also known as light emitting diodes (LEDS). Low level lasers, also known as cold laser light is compressed light, it is different from natural light in that it is one precise colour. Lasers are coherent waves, synchronized, and monochromatic (a single wavelength). Therapeutic light energy can be produced by Low Level Laser Diodes (LLLD) and/or Superluminous Diodes (SLD). These diodes can be within the visible red to the near infrared and infrared electromagnetic spectrum.
These properties allow laser light to penetrate the surface of the skin with no heating effect, no damage to the skin and no known side effects. Specific wavelengths and power levels result in different levels of penetration and cellular effects.
