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Low Level Laser Therapy
Low Level Laser Therapy, also known as cold laser, is a form of
physiotherapy that uses laser to alter cellular function with a view to
treat an ailment.
LLLT is gaining increasing acceptance in conventional medical,
physiotherapy, acupuncture, dental practice.
Laser Therapy works on the principle of inducing a biological response
through energy transfer, in that the photonic energy delivered into the
tissue by the laser modulates the biological processes within that tissue,
and those within the biological system of which that tissue is a part.
When applied properly, phototherapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has
proved to be very efficient in relieving pain and improving wound healing.
There are a number of clinical uses for LLLT, such as those in medical,
dental, podiatric, chiropractic, osteopathic, and cosmetic applications.
Some of the most popular applications of LLLT currently, however, are in
physiotherapy, veterinary, and acupuncture practice.
Since its beginnings in 1967, when Hungarian physician and surgeon Endre
Mester used ruby and helium-neon (He-Ne) lasers for studies in wound
healing, LLLT has remained an active area of research. While this science
has been around since decades, it is now finding a place in main stream
physiotherapy owing to continuous research in the medical field that prove
without doubt the benefits of LLLT. Laser Therapy has now become as common
a form of treatment as are conventional methods such as diathermy and
ultrasound.
Low level laser therapy has proven to be very effective for many
conditions that have not responded well to other forms of treatment. LLLT
has been thoroughly tested and proven effective in most countries of the
world. It is a well accepted and recommended form of treatment in England,
Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Russia, Israel, Japan, Canada, India,
Venezuela and many other countries in Europe, South America and the Far
East.
The FDA recognizes the legitimacy of this therapy and actively
investigates safety, claims, and labeling for all photonic-therapy
devices.
It is now proven that light has proven effects at the cellular level,
repairing mitochondrial and messenger DNA to support and maintain
metabolism in the cell and promote healing
The effectiveness of Laser for treatment is greatly dependent on factors
such as dose, wavelength, timing, pulsing and duration. Not all
wavelengths of light are beneficial. The therapeutic window lies between
628nm and 930nm. This means, light of wavelengths between 628nm and 930nm
have a therapeutic, or healing effect.
Do any or all wavelengths within the therapeutic window aid healing? No.
One has to bear in mind that photons contained in the light have to "HIT"
tissue to cause healing. As light attempts to pass through different
layers across the cross section of the body, it passes through melanin in
the skin, water, haemoglobin, adipose tissue, and muscle.
Wavelengths at the lower end of the therapeutic window aid healing of
superficial tissue.
Wavelengths at the upper end of the therapeutic window aid healing of deep
tissue.
The Laser therapy machine thus has to be a combination of several
wavelengths most suited to treating not only superficial tissue, but also
have the capacity to penetrate the superficial tissue to reach deep
tissue. Not only should the machine emit the right wave lengths, it should
also deliver the right power and photon density.
Laser therapy today is widely used for treatment of Acute Injuries /
Trauma, Musculo - Skeletal injuries, Inflammatory Conditions, Podiatry,
Degenerative Disorders, Wound Management, Skin Disorders, and De-Addiction
treatments.
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