Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is the use of light in the treatment of various conditions. The laser light penetrates the skin and diffuses in the tissue. It is absorbed by cells where it is converted into energy.1 LLLT has been shown to be useful in treating musculoskeletal pain and lymphoedema and is a complimentary treatment to manual lymph drainage.2,3
LLLT is known to aid in reducing pain and inflammation, soften scar tissue and fibrosis, assist in tissue repair and promote regeneration of different tissues and nerves.
LLLT is non-invasive and pain-free and can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other modalities such as massage, manual lymph drainage and lymph taping.
Treatment duration and frequency varies depending on the nature and condition of the injury. It can range from a short single session lasting a few minutes to multiple sessions of 5 to 10 minutes each.
Not all lasers are created equal. There are many different types of lasers with varying power levels, wavelengths and uses. Contact Kim to discuss if laser treatment is right for you before undergoing a course of treatment.
Riancorp LTU-904
Laser Type: Gallium Arsenide Laser Diode (Ga-As)
Laser Wavelength: 904 nanometers
Peak Power: 5 Watts
Pulse Frequency: Low 2500Hz, High 5000Hz
Pulse Duration: 200 nanoseconds
- Karu TI. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of photobiomodulation (low-power laser therapy). IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics. 2013 Sep 18;20(2):143-8.
- Cotler HB, Chow RT, Hamblin MR, Carroll J. The use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) for musculoskeletal pain. MOJ orthopedics & rheumatology. 2015;2(5).
- Tumilty SJ. Low level laser therapy for the treatment of tendinopathy with emphasis on the achilles tendon (Doctoral dissertation, University of Otago).
Liebert A, Bicknell B, Johnstone DM, Gordon LC, Kiat H, Hamblin MR. “Photobiomics”: can light, including photobiomodulation, alter the microbiome?. Photobiomodulation, photomedicine, and laser surgery. 2019 Nov 1;37(11):681-93.
Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS biophysics, 4(3), 337. Published online 2017 May 19. doi: 10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337
Abstract: Photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level level laser therapy is the use of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. The primary chromophores have been identified as cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, and calcium ion channels (possibly mediated by light absorption by opsins). Secondary effects of photon absorption include increases in ATP, a brief burst of reactive oxygen species, an increase in nitric oxide, and modulation of calcium levels. Tertiary effects include activation of a wide range of transcription factors leading to improved cell survival, increased proliferation and migration, and new protein synthesis. There is a pronounced biphasic dose response whereby low levels of light have stimulating effects, while high levels of light have inhibitory effects. It has been found that PBM can produce ROS in normal cells, but when used in oxidatively stressed cells or in animal models of disease, ROS levels are lowered. PBM is able to up-regulate anti-oxidant defenses and reduce oxidative stress. It was shown that PBM can activate NF-kB in normal quiescent cells, however in activated inflammatory cells, inflammatory markers were decreased. One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders, and in the brain. PBM has been shown to reduce markers of M1 phenotype in activated macrophages. Many reports have shown reductions in reactive nitrogen species and prostaglandins in various animal models. PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord.