Laser Facts: Know what you are investing in!
Rating of class 3B lasers for depth and wavelength.
Top ratings are 5 star.
Which laser should you choose?
632.8nm- Helium-Neon ( He He) *
Oldest therapeutic laser
Helium/neon gas mixture
Visible red light
Continuous wavelength
High level of diodes
Very shallow penetration
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633-635nm-Indium-Gallium-Aluminum-Phosphorus (InGaAP) **
Replacing the He-He laser
Inexpensive
For superficial applications
Visible red light
Higher potential power
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694nm-Ruby *
The first laser
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780-890nm-Gallium-aluminum-Arsenide (GaAIAs) ***
Solid medium
Inexpensive (cheap)
Wavelength is varied by amount of aluminum in the diode
Normally continuous wave but can pulsate by turning laser off and on
Greater range of dosages then the above
Semiconductor laser used for biostimulation and surgery
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905nm Gallium- Arsenide (GaAs) *****
Greater depth of penetration of all commonly used lasers
Deeper penetration then the 632.8nm, 633-635nm, 694nm, 780-890nm
Higher peak then the 632.8nm, 633-635nm, 694nm, 780-890nm
Longer wavelength then 632.8nm, 633-635nm, 694nm. 780-890nm
Powerful pulses force light deep into tissue
Wavelength will transmit light further
Biostimulation
*NOTES:
The most common reason for failure is low dosage!
How Laser Therapy Works
Low level laser therapy aims to biostimulate. Because of the low power nature of low levels laser, the effects are biochemical and not thermal and cannot cause heating and thereby cannot cause damage to living tissue. Four distinct effects are known to occur when using low level laser therapy:
A: Growth factor response within cells and tissue as a result of increased ATP and protein synthesis; Improved cell proliferation; Change in cell membrane permeability to calcium up-take.
B: Pain relief as a result of increased endorphin release; increased serotonin; suppression of nociceptor action.
C: Strengthening the immune system response via increasing levels of lymphocyte activity and through a newly researched mechanism termed photo modulation of blood.
Laser is an acronym of "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation".
In this treatment the practical information concerning the use of laser radiation for photobiological stimulation. The treatment material is based on scientific works as well as the experience of specialists in the field of laser therapy.
Cold Laser Therapy
Laser therapy devices were developed to treat all forms of sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions, release and control pain, provide improved wound healing and for laser acupressure without the use of needles. Laser therapy is highly effective and non-invasive form of treatment. The patient feels no pain.
The specially designed parameters will be utilized in the pain and the treatment of muscular - skeletal ailments. 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, Russia, Israel, Japan, Canada, India, Venezuela and many other countries in Europe, South America and the Far East. Doctors in these countries report a 55% to 75% improvement in the alleviation of pain and increase in range of motion and a 75% cure rate. Control and Management of lower back pain and dramatic improvement in degenerative arthritic problems, cervical thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebral conditions as well as sports type injuries such as rotator cuff, tennis elbow, swelling, spasms, repetitive stress injuries, Achilles tendon injuries, wound healing and related conditions. There are even early indications of improvement in tinnitus and TMJ disorders.
Low Level Laser Therapy is also utilized in many dental applications such as post extraction edema, sensitive teeth and gums and benign mouth lesions. A low powered laser procedure does not cut or burn into the skin or affected areas-it stimulates the tissues and promotes healing by penetrating deep into the tissues initializing the process of photo bio stimulation. The patient feels no discomfort related to the procedure. The light energy from the low level laser is absorbed in cytochromes and porphyrins within cell mitochondria and cell membranes. Each case is different and the program utilized varies with the severity on the condition. Typically, patients can expect to feel noticeable improvement after four to six sessions for acute conditions and after six to eight treatments for chronic conditions. While thoroughly tested in many countries outside the U.S., low powered laser therapy has not been approved nor disapproved by the FDA. It is limited to investigational use in conjunction with a treatment program developed under IRB guidelines and supervision. In many instances, low level laser therapy can be a viable alternative to surgery.
