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Low level laser therapy is the application of laser light over injuries and lesions to stimulate healing within those tissues. Lasers are best known for their ability to cut, but do not confuse Low Level Lasers with cutting or high powered lasers!
Low level lasers, under various names such as cold laser, soft laser, biostimulating laser, photo stimulation diodes and many others, have been used for over 30 years in many countries as therapeutic energy to bring about favorable biological effects in both animals and humans.
Laser irradiation of tissue cultures has shown that units of light energy (photons) are absorbed by enzymes which react to light within the cell. Visible red light is absorbed within the mitochondria, and the infrared light is absorbed at the cell membrane. In a mammalian cell, this results in a change in membrane permeability, increased ATP levels and increased DNA production. The photons picked up by the cell membrane result in improved membrane stability and increased activity of the ATP-dependent Na/K pump. Because cell metabolism is influenced by Na/K movement across the membrane, increasing the gradient will affect the flow of ions and hence the overall metabolism of the cell.
On a tissue level, it has been shown that irradiation by laser light results in increased collagen and epithelial production and production of new capillaries and an increase in density of the capillary bed. Reductions in scar tissue formation and keloid adhesions also occur. A reduction of pain and inflammation results from this treatment, as does the stimulation of nerve regeneration, muscle relaxation and atonicity (lack of muscle tone). There is also an indication that laser light therapy helps to increase the immune system response. (From Low Level Laser Therapy Provides New Treatment Possibilities, Dr. Melyni Worth, Ph.D., World Equine Veterinary Review, Vol. 3, No. 3, 1998).
Red light aids in the production of ATP in cells which increases cellular health and energy. The radiation (energy) in normal cells stimulates adjacent cells to divide in the normal process of regeneration and healing. Laser light stimulates abnormal tissue to activate normal intercellular radiation, thus stimulating the normal healing process to start again. The photons produced by laser light normalize tissue by activating enzymes within cells. One activated enzyme within a cell triggers a chemical reaction in which more enzymes are activated in a domino-type effect. Low level laser therapy has no effect on normal tissue. Photons will only be absorbed by cells that need them. (From the Holistic Bird Newsletter (www.holisticbird.com/HBN01/decjan/pages/laser.htm)
According to Low Level Laser Therapy by Jan Turner & Lars Hode (Prima Books), low level laser therapy:
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Reduces pain by causing the production of natural pain killers - endorphins |
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Reduces inflammation by suppressing inflammatory enzymes that create swelling, redness, pain, and heat and enhances the release of anti-inflammatory enzymes |
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Enhances lymphatic drainage, which increases circulation and speeds healing |
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Stimulates the release of helpful healing enzymes |
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Releases tight muscles (both smooth and striated) that create chronic pain, joint problems, and decreased mobility |
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Speeds bone repair by stimulating fibroblastic and osteoblastic proliferation. |
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LLLT in the correct frequency appears to be anti-viral, antifungal, and anti-herpetic |
In Europe, where laser treatment is a well-accepted methodology, it has been used for treatment of traumatic, inflammatory and overuse injuries, pain relief and healing of arthritic lesions, reduction of abscesses, and treatment of persistent non-healing wounds such as cold sores and ulcers. This type of therapy has also been used to prevent or minimize keloid formation, scars and adhesions, to reduce edema, and to reduce pain from surgery and other treatments. Use of low level laser therapy can also encourage the formation of collagen (which can reduce wrinkles) and also cartilage in damaged joints and the repair of tendons and ligaments. In addition, laser light can be used to stimulate acupuncture points in a noninvasive, pain-free manner.
WHAT DOES LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY DO?
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has demonstrated the ability to significantly accelerate and enhance the body's natural defenses. It repairs components in the presence of injury, inflammation and certain disease processes. It does this through the action of photo-bio-stimulation of light reactive biological receptors (chromophores) in the body.
By modifying the effects and limiting the duration of inflammation as well as enhancing specific repair and healing processes, LLLT is consistent in providing pain relief, reducing injury damage and loss of function. It also works to facilitate more rapid repair and stronger healing of tissue structures.
Multiple clinical studies have noted the following results of LLLT:
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Increased collagen production |
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Enhanced nerve regeneration |
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Increased vasodilation |
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Reduced inflammatory duration |
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Increased cell metabolism |
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Decreased pain perception |
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Increased cell membrane potential |
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Reduced edema magnitude |
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Increased microcirculation |
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Increased tissue and bone repair |
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Increased lymphatic response |
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Increased enzyme response |
Low level laser therapy (lazer therapie) has been successfully utilized as alternative medicine for:
There are 230 positive studies done by 81 universities from 37 different countries showing from 80 to 95% success using
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on over 24 different dental procedures:
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Alveolitis (bone infection) |
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Anesthetic — used alone to replace or in conjunction to enhance the depth or profoundness of dental anesthetic |
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Aphthae ulcers (canker sores) |
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Bleeding — postoperative bleeding control |
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Caries — Used prior to drilling to PREVENT tooth hyperemia and postoperative pain |
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Dentitio dificlis — pain around the coronal tissue of either primary or permanent teeth |
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Endodontics — root canal — used to flush bacteria out of dentinal tubules and reduce pain associated with root canal |
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Extraction — used before and after to control bleeding, pain, and speed healing |
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Gingivitis (bleeding of the gums) |
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Herpes Zoster (cold sores) |
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Hypersensitive dentine - usually at gum line — many over the counter tooth pastes are sold with less benefit than LLLT |
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Implantology — reduces inflammation, speeds healing, reduces inflammation, and increases bone growth |
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Jaw fractures |
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Leukplakia (precancerous tissue) |
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Lingua geografica |
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Lip wounds |
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Mucositis associated with cancer medications |
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Nausea — used prior to taking impressions to prevent gagging |
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Nerve injury |
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Oedema (swelling) |
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Oral surgery |
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Orthodontics |
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Pain regardless of the cause |
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Pediatric dental treatment |
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Periodontics |
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Prosthetics — denture sores |
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Secondary dentin formation |
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TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint and associated muscle disorders) |
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