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What is a Laser?
The word laser is an
acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation. A laser beam is an intense light
source with specific characteristics. These include:
- Monochromaticity:
In laser light, all electromagnetic waves have the same wavelength
and therefore, the same color.
- Coherence: All the photons
in laser light oscillate in the same phase.
- Directionality: Laser light
is highly directional.
- Intensity: Because its radiation
is coherently concentrated on one spot, laser light is very powerful.
This factor gives it tremendous accuracy, making it highly valued
in medical applications.
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What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy is the use of monochromatic light emission from
a low intensity laser diode (250 milliwatts or less) or an array
of high intensity super luminous diodes (providing total optical
power in the 1000-2000 milliwatt range). Conditions treated include
musculoskeletal injuries, chronic and degenerative conditions
and wounds. The light source is placed in contact with the skin
allowing the photon energy to penetrate tissue, where it interacts
with various intracellular biomolecules resulting in the restoration
of normal cell morphology and function. This also enhances the
body’s natural healing processes. The following chart outlines
some of the specific effects of Low Intensity Laser Therapy:
The technology:
This dynamic emerging
technology utilizes superluminous and laser diodes to irradiate
abnormal tissue with photons. These are particles of energy
that are absorbed by a variety of micro-molecules within the
cell, a process which initiates a number of positive physiological
responses. In essence, light energy is converted into biochemical
energy. The result - normal cell morphology and function are
restored. The process is curative and as logic dictates, symptoms
disappear.
Light in its various
forms has been used for healing from the time of the ancient
Egyptian and Greek civilizations. With recent advances in the
engineering of devices and the development of appropriate protocols
for effective therapeutic application, dramatic benefits and
treatment of many complex medical conditions are achievable.
The BioFlex System combines numerous sophisticated engineering
advances with the capacity to control all parameters such as
frequency, duty cycle, energy density, duration, etc. An infinitive
range of protocols can then be delivered to tissue in standard
fashion or a customized basis.
The monochromatic
coherent and polarized characteristics of the therapeutic light
beam permit penetration of deep tissues without affecting normal
cells. Again, it should be noted that the end result is curative
with regard to the pathology, rather than symptom modulation,
the conventional approach for the management of pain.
The advantages
of low intensity laser therapy:
* Non-invasive
* Non-toxic
* Easily applied
* Highly effective
* Cure rate > 95%
* No known negative side effects
Some of the
physiological effects of low intentisty laser therapy:
Short Term Effects
* Production and
release of beta-endorphins (these are morphine like substances
produced by various cells in the body that inhibit the sensation
of pain)
* Cortisol production is increased (cortisol is the precursor
of cortisone). This enables the body to combat the stress associated
with trauma or the disease process
* The short-term effect is significant in 5-10% of cases during
or after the conclusion of the initial treatment, but is not
as important as the long term or cumulative effect
Long Term Or Cumulative
Effect
* ATP (adenosine
triphosphate) production is increased resulting in improved
cellular metabolism
* DNA (deoxyribonucleicacid) production; protein building block
of tissue is substantially increased
* Neurotransmission is facilitated due to elevated levels of
serotonin and aceytylecholine
* Mitochondrial activity is stimulated resulting in cell replication
etc. (i.e. replacement, regeneration and repair of abnormal
cells)
* Modulation of macrophages, fibroblasts and other cells
* Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels)
* Regulates cell membrane potential, essential in Na, Cl and
K ion transfer (electrolyte balance)
* Cytokines and other chemicals enhancing cellular communications
are released
Other Effects:
* The immune response
is stimulated
* Lymphatic drainage is improved
* The histamine response is positively altered
* Production of growth hormone is increased
* The body’s natural healing processes are enhanced
The beneficial physiological
changes noted above are the result of tissue regeneration and
cellular stimulation. Many other positive activities are modulated
including the humoral and cerebral spinal fluid effects which
are highly significant and are currently under investigation
in research laboratories to accurately delineate the scientific
aspects of this process.
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Thermal versus Low Intensity Laser Therapy
High power, or thermal, lasers can produce a substantial amount
of heat. This destructive potential makes high power laser a key
player in industrial applications such as cutting and welding.
Because thermal laser combines power and precision, it also has
many beneficial uses in modern medicine.
In surgical anti-tumor treatments, for example, the heat emitted
by high intensity laser beams can be used to selectively destroy
tissue. Incisions produced by the laser are antiseptic and hemorrhage
is controlled.
Unlike the thermal lasers, the low intensity laser beam is "soft
power" and does not produce heat. Red and infra-red lasers
with power outputs in the range from 10-2000 mW belong in this
category.
Low intensity laser
energy initiates general stimulation and activation of the metabolism,
in turn promoting the occurrence of multiple physiologically beneficial
effects in the repair of human cells. It is widely used in the
medical and cosmetic fields, principally because it is non-destructive
to the target tissue.
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Defining Diodes
There are two types of diodes used in laser therapy. 1) Super
Luminous Diodes (SLD) are designed for the treatment of a large
surface area. These are less powerful than laser diodes and can
be safely applied in larger numbers over a wide area. 2) Laser
Diodes (LD) have higher power output and narrow beams, making
them ideally suitable as "laser probes" for deeper penetration
and for targeting localized pathology.
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What is BioFlex?
BioFlex is a highly sophisticated therapeutic modality that combines
the potential benefits of low intensity laser with super luminous
diodes for the effective treatment of many medical disorders.
Developed and engineered by Meditech International Incorporated,
BioFlex represents the decade's most significant technological
advancement in laser therapy.
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What does Low Intensity Laser Therapy do?
By affecting and reversing the offending pathology at the cellular
level, laser therapy optimises the restoration of injured tissues
to normal function, thereby relieving painful symptoms. The beneficial
effects of laser therapy are cumulative over the course of a series
of treatments.
Additional information
can be found in the Physiological Effects section of our Treatment
Section.
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What conditions
are treated?
Please see the
Conditions Treated section in the Treatment
page for reference on this subject.
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How many treatments are required?
This will vary from patient to patient. Just as every medical
condition is individual, so are the responses to therapy. The
onset of initial pain relief as a result of treatment varies due
to each patient's particular rate of release of endorphins and
cortisol. In a recent clinical report on 151 consecutive cases
using Low Intensity Laser Therapy, 11 treatments was the average
number required for maximum improvement. Whether two or twenty
treatments are required, most patients need not restrict normal
activity during the therapy period, as healing will continue between
sessions. Two distinct reactions occur during therapy; the immediate
due to the release of the body’s own endorphins and cortisone
production and the more important or cumulative effect, resulting
from progressive therapy.
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How does BioFlex compare with other conventional treatments?
For many years, rehabilitation therapies -- including ultrasound,
interferential current and TENS -- have been used extensively
throughout the world to treat pain and stimulate the healing processes.
Unlike BioFlex, however, the healing effects of these treatments
have been disappointing as they only modulate symptoms. In contrast
BioFlex is able to influence the pathology directly at the cellular
level, resulting in therapeutic benefits that are more profound
and generally curative. At best, alternative therapies act as
counter-irritants, creating a transient increase in circulation
and the release of endorphins, providing only temporary symptomatic
relief.
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Who would benefit from BioFlex therapy?
BioFlex is recommended as the treatment of choice for sufferers
of musculoskeletal conditions in rehabilitation, physiotherapy
and sports medicine. Specifically, it can effectively treat many
medical conditions, including acute injuries, degenerative disorders
and wound healing.
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