The DelRe Protocols » low level laser therapy

LLLT = Low Level Laser Therapy

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:48:45 +0000

LLLT = Low Level Laser Therapy

Let’s review:

LLLT has been demonstrated to be both safe and effective in cases where biostimulation is deemed helpful. Biostimulation is the stimulation of biological elements and systems. I focus on chronic conditions, as opposed to acute conditions. I have very little experience with acute conditions, because my early personal experiences increased scar tissue deposition, and I only use LLLT for scratches and cuts, but not for anything worse. The same goes for strains and sprains; I do not use LLLT for new strains or sprains. This is because of the risk of too much scar tissue deposition. I know the research shows that it is helpful for such, but it should be done by a sports-related healthcare provider who has experience and training in the use of LLLT on acute conditions.

I don’t usually see those kinds of cases. Regarding the spine, I generally stay away from the spine with LLLT because of the relatively small risk of an aggravation of osteoarthritis. I know that the research says otherwise, but I find that OA generally becomes aggravated when illuminated with LLLT. I must say that I don’t have the best and latest equipment.

Soft tissues are much easier to illuminate with no negatives and reliable positives. Since I am a chiropractor, I am limited to using treatments such as the one below on only myself. It is interesting to me, because I have already treated myself in the past for the same problem.

This is a synopsis of a Russian research paper which demonstrated that LLLT and famitodine was a good combination for treatment of Primary chronic gastroduodenitis (PCG):

[Laser therapy and famotidine in complex restorative treatment of primary chronic gastroduodenitis]

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)…How Much Is Enough? Too Much?

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:10:08 +0000

Low Level Laser Therapy

LLLT

Researchers who are involved in low level laser therapy are producing more knowledgeable information. What I mean is that they have learned from past research, and are coming up with more knowledgeable questions, and more detailed answers. The early researchers weren’t exactly sure about dosages and protocols, and we still aren’t sure today. We are, still, narrowing it down, bit by bit.

One of the classic cells that can be counted on to respond to LLLT is the fibroblast. Fibroblasts are cells that lay down a microscopic framework of a thin web, if you will, of tough tissue. They also vary, and produce other types of tissues as well. They are called into action when there has been injury and cell destruction. They are called into action with repetitive stress.

The researchers of this study chose injured fibroblasts to work on, and used a red (HeNe) (632.8 nm) laser for two consecutive days. The cells received 2.5, 5,, and 16 J/cm2, in three different groups. Three treatments at 2.5 J/cm2 or 1 treatment at 5 J/cm2 produced significant cell multiplication and movement. 16 J/cm2 inhibited the same functions, as well as decreasing ATP production. This is interesting because one of the things LLLT is known for is that it typically increases ATP production.

I feel that 1-2 J/cm² (10-20 seconds) is a good range to use for a 100 mW therapeutic laser. With small 5 mW lasers, it is different. Because of the high time of illumination factor, we can see results with as little as 0.3-1.0 J/cm2. A 5 mW laser pointer moved against the skin, covering 1 square centimeter, will put out up to 0.3 J/cm2 every 60 seconds.

Effect of Multiple Exposures of Low-Level Laser Therapy on the Cellular Responses of Wounded Human Skin Fibroblasts
Denise Hawkins, Heidi Abrahamse. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. December 2006, 24(6): 705-714. doi:10.1089/pho.2006.24.705.

Harvard Study moves LLLT forward

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:18:34 +0000

Harvard and LLLT

From Harvard comes a nice synopsis of low level laser therapy, (LLLT.) It is interesting to see the graphs which show how the response of tissues to LLLT continue to vary according to how long and how powerful of a dose is given. As with drugs and other treatments, there is a point of diminishing return, and the positive tissue response actually decreases with dosages above a threshold.

There is a lot of variety of dosages covered, giving pause to all who use LLLT in their offices.

I was gratified to see that the low dosages I recommend in my book “Rejuvenation” were backed up in parts of this research paper:

Abstract:

http://dose-response.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&id=doi:10.2203/dose-response.09-027.Hamblin

Full Version:

http://dose-response.metapress.com/media/253xqnrglgcw5bm4ek0j/contributions/a/4/3/6/a436330255602073.pdf

Diabetic Neuropathy No More

admin — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:26:39 +0000

No more diabetic neuropathy? Well, if all cases were treated with coherent light early enough, that statement may become a reality. No more diabetic amputations? Why not? It is being done all over the world, but in isolated areas. There is a physical therapy clinic in West Virginia that has a steady stream of patients sent by doctors who have been educated about this way of treating diabetic patients.

With over three decades of research and thousands of published research papers, (with the numbers growing exponentially,) coherent light therapy, (also known as low level laser therapy, low intensity laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, LLLT, LILT, and cold laser therapy) has been shown to be safe and effective when properly used.

While there are some research papers which do not come up with significant results, this always seems to happen, no matter whether a method is useful or not. I say it is safe to try for yourself, if you follow some direction. Then you can decide for yourself, while the scientists debate. There is little debate about safety, because it has largely been proven over the past 30 years.

The laser book titled “Rejuvenation” covers over 40 common ailments and diseases, and shows an ordinary person how to use a common red laser pointer, the kind kids buy, to treat many conditions at home, from diabetic numb feet to tooth and gum complaints.

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Comparison between Wound Healing in Induced Diabetic and Non diabetic Rats after Low-Level Laser Therapy Aug 2006, Vol. 24, No. 4: 474-479 Sylvia Bicalho Rabelo , D.D.S., M.S.D. Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D), Universidade do Vale do Paraiba

Systemic Eﬀects of Low-Intensity Laser Irradiation on Skin Micro circulation in Patients with Diabetic Microangiopathy. Andreas Schindl, Georg Heinze, Martin Schindl, Heidemarie Pernerstorfer-Schönd and Liesbeth Schindl. Microvascular Research Volume 64, Issue 2, September 2002, Pages 240-246

Eﬀects of near-infrared low-level laser irradiation on micro circulation. Yasuyo Maegawa, MD, Toshiyuki Itoh, MD, PhD, Toyoshi Hosokawa, MD, PhD, Kazuhiro Yaegashi, MD, PhD, Mayumi Nishi, MD, PhD. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Volume 27 Issue 5, Pages 427 – 437

Symptomatic Reversal of Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes. Alan B. Kochman, Dale H. Carnegie, and Thomas J. Burke. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association Volume 92 Number 3 125-130 2002

What is a Trigger Point?

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:08:44 +0000

Trigger Points

What’s a Trigger Point?

A trigger point is a tiny bit of muscle tissue that has died and is rotting, (in easy to understand terms.) Because it is irritating to the surrounding muscle cells, they spasm locally, and keep the gunk trapped there. It died for the same reason part of the heart dies in a heart attack: lack of oxygen. It suffocated.

An interesting sign of a “full-blown” trigger point is that not only does it hurt a lot when pressing a finger into it, it also sends pain to seemingly unrelated parts of the body. A great example of this is with a trigger point in the infraspinatus muscle. Say what? Well, it is the muscle that coats the bottom 70% of your “wing-bone”, your scapula. The scapula is a reliable place to find trigger points. It makes sense…it can’t really contract very well because it is “glued” to that bony plate we call the scapula. So the circulation there is bad, to begin with. A perfect breeding ground for trigger points.

If you “squish” a trigger point in the infraspinatus muscle, you will often cause pain radiation up into the shoulder, or down the arm. The thing is, there are no nerves connecting these areas, and so there never was an answer until recently. Some folks speculate that these unrelated tissues are indeed related from embryonic times. As the tissues separated to form the body, they still carry some connection, so that a person will feel pain that seems to refer far away from the trigger point.

Low level laser therapy, (photodynamic therapy,) has a remarkable effect on trigger points, however, I believe they still need to be deeply massaged at least once, to help clear out the dead cells, and the irrititating chemicals they catabolize, (degrade, breakdown,) into.

Low Level Laser Therapy with Trigger Points Technique: A Clinical Study on 243 Patients

ZLATKO SIMUNOVIC. Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery. AUGUST 1996, 14(4): 163-167. doi:10.1089/clm.1996.14.163.