Technology Overview
In 1917,
Albert Einstein established the physical principle of “Light
Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation,” thus paving
the way for the development of the laser. In June 1960, Theodoro
H. Maiman constructed the world’s first laser using a ruby
crystal, now known as the ruby laser. In 1965, doctors Sinclair,
Knoll and Mester pioneered the way for therapeutic lasers
through their research with human tissue. These lasers do not
cut or destroy tissue, but biostimulate the tissue creating a
therapeutic curative effect.
Therapeutic
lasers work by supplying energy to the body in the form of
non-thermal photons of light. The body is able to absorb this
external energy on a cellular level and transform light energy
into chemical energy, which the body uses to accelerate the
normal healing rate of tissue for a wide range of ailments.
Laser
Light vs. L.E.D Light
When people
are introduced to laser therapy there is often confusion as to
the difference between Laser light and L.E.D light. Laser is an
acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation. A laser is referred to as a
coherent beam of light. Laser light is coherent because all of
the light waves stream out in the same direction and phase. If
one points a laser on a surface close to them, the laser light
will have a noticeable diameter. If one pulls the laser further
from that surface the diameter and intensity of the light will
not change. L.E.D lights are referred to as non-coherent. In
other words the light that is emitted from an L.E.D spreads out
in all directions and are out of phase. If one points a L.E.D on
a surface close to them, the L.E.D light will have a noticeable
diameter. If one pulls the L.E.D further from that surface the
diameter of the light will become larger and more diffused.
Laser
and the Language of the Body
The text you
are reading is obviously written in English. You can read and
understand these words and ether accept or reject the content.
What if it were written in an unfamiliar language—Spanish,
Japanese, German, Korean, or Swahili? Would you understand the
content? Would you be able to make rational decisions based on
what you can piece together? Like most people, probably not.
This is the dilemma our bodies have when being treated by
various therapies. Our bodies do not communicate in ultrasound
or electrical stimulation—it communicates in coherent light. In
the book, Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis by James
L. Oschman, multiple references are made to the communication
within the body—from cell to cell as coherent (laser) light. It
makes sense that we should stimulate the body with the same
language that the cells in the body communicate. That is why
there is so much success with wound healing, neurological
rehabilitation, and illness reversal when using LLLT.
Measuring Light
Light occurs
in wavelengths and is measured in nanometers. A nanometer (nm)
is one billionth of a meter, which can be represented by
scientific notation as 10-9 meters or .000000001 meter = 1nm.
The visible spectrum of light occurs in range of 380 – 760nm.
Below 380nm we have ultraviolet light and above 760nm we have
infrared light. Although all levels of light can have biological
effect, most laser research suggests that the most advantageous
levels of stimulation for healing purposes occur in the 630 –
640nm range. The biological effects that have been measured in
this range have been proper oxygenation and detoxification of
the cell, DNA replication, and regeneration of damaged nerve
tissue.
Tune
in on Laser Communication
When
listening to your radio, you must first choose a station— such
as 102.7 KIIS FM. Similarly, when purchasing a laser, you must
first choose a wavelength of light. Most lasers on the market
used by professionals are in the red or infrared range. The
advantage of using a red laser over an infrared is treatment
time. It is much safer to use a red (630-640nm) laser over an
area for a longer period of time without worry of damaging
tissue. This makes it ideal for an unattended therapy. When
working with infrared (760nm or higher) lasers more caution
should be taken with treatment.
Pump up
the Volume
The output
of a laser is measured in Watts. It is easier to understand
output as the volume of the laser. For example: when the
Beatles’ song, “We All Live in a Yellow Submarine,” is playing
on the radio, one can raise or lower the volume without
affecting the message of the song. One can lower the
output/volume of the song, “we all live in a yellow submarine,”
and it occurs as a faint whisper possibly inaudible. Or one can
blast the song, “WE ALL LIVE IN A YELLOW SUBMARINE,” and damage
our eardrums. Regardless of the output/volume the message
remains the same. The same occurs with laser. The output will
not change the laser wavelength (i.e. 635nm); it will only
determine the intensity. Also keep in mind that there is a big
movement in the laser industry that high powered infrared laser
is the best way and most efficient way to use LLLT. The only
thing better is the deeper penetration faster. Remember
Absorption and not penetration is the key to efficient Cold
Laser Treatments. With our lower powered Red Beam lasers
we will compete with any higher powered infrared laser and show
how to
# 1, Get
quicker and more efficient results.
# 2,
longer lasting results with fewer treatments.
# 3, the
real miracle’s of LLLT
{activating the nervous system}.
Hot
Laser
Most lasers used by medical professionals on the market are
“HOT” or high powered lasers. Hot lasers are lasers that have an
output larger than one Watt and ability to increase the
temperature of what it is contacting—Ouch! Hot lasers are used
for a variety of procedures from cutting and cauterizing tissue,
removing tarter from teeth, hair removal, and even eye surgery.
Cold
Laser
Cold Laser is the common term for a Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
device. It is considered cold laser because it will not increase
the thermal temperature of what it is contacting. When dealing
with LLLT, the output is well below one Watt of energy, usually
measured in milliwatts (mW). In scientific notation this is
represented as 10-3 or .001Watts = 1mW. In the United States the
FDA requires that all Low Level Lasers be 5mW or less at the
point of aperture (where the laser light exits). Although very
few people can actually feel a laser with this output, the
positive biological effects are amazing. A wide range of
professionals have used cold laser therapy with success
including chiropractors, physical therapists, medical doctors,
veterinarians, dentists, etc. The common goal among these
practitioners is improved healing time and results for their
patients.
Results are Rapid and Sustainable
While some patients get immediate results, others usually
require three to six treatments before they notice a lasting
effect. Again, each patient will respond differently according
to his or her own body’s natural healing rate.
Although it
is recommended that you come in daily for the first three
visits, following this two to three times per week is usually
sufficient to maintain your cells in biostimulation. Your
clinician is best able to develop a schedule tailored
specifically to your condition.
There are
three main components of tissue that affect the absorption of
light specifically: water, hemoglobin (pigment that renders
blood red) and melanin (pigment that gives skin its natural
color.) The absorption curves for these three substances versus
the laser wavelength will determine the precise impact that a
particular laser will have on tissue.
This laser
light has the unique properties of monochromaticity, (a single
wavelength,) coherence (travels in a straight line) and defined
location (concentrated beam). These properties are what allow
lasers to penetrate the skin surface, non-invasively, delivering
energy directly to the cells, which the cells then convert into
chemical energy.
True
Lasers versus Super-luminous Diodes
True lasers such as the Quantum System focus all of their energy
in one direction in a very concentrated line. A super-luminous
diode, on the other hand, diffuses its energy in all directions
with only a small percentage of the energy traveling in the
direction of the treatment. A true laser system will deliver 90%
more power to the treatment area than a super-luminous diode
system.
Oshiro’s Studies Confirm This Fact:
“A laser beam travels only in one direction from its source,
unlike a light bulb. The resulting (true laser) beam has a
considerably higher photo density than a monochromatic beam
produced by filtering and collimating a conventional
multi-wavelength light source. In in-vivo tissue targets,
several layers of non-homogenous particulate matter have to be
penetrated before the beam can reach the LLLT targets and it is
the superior photon density of coherent light which ensures this
penetration; even though actual coherence may be lost in the
first few cell layers.”
Generally
speaking, LLLT is remarkable in the fact that it safely and
effectively reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and heals
tissues. In healing tissues, the mechanism increases the
synthesis of collagen—the same matrix found in cartilage. As the
synthesis of collagen is increased, the cartilage begins to
rebuild.
The fact
that therapeutic lasers work by supplying energy to the body in
the form of photons of light and allowing the body to effect its
own repairs allows therapeutic lasers the ability to treat an
extensive list of ailments. Ailments that involve skin, tendons,
nerves, blood vessels or muscles can be treated with therapeutic
lasers.
