LASER BASICS: A laser is an electronic-optical device that emits coherent light radiation. The term "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A typical laser emits light in a narrow, low-divergence monochromatic (single-colored, if the laser is operating in the visible spectrum), beam with a well-defined wavelength. In this respect, laser light is in sharp contrast with such light sources as the incandescent light bulb, which emits light over a wide area and over a wide spectrum of wavelengths.

The first working laser was demonstrated in 1960 by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories. Since then, lasers have become a multi-billion dollar industry. The most widespread use of lasers is in optical storage devices such as compact disc and DVD players, in which the laser (a few millimeters in size) scans the surface of the disc. Other common applications of lasers are bar code readers, laser printers and laser pointers.

In industry, lasers are used for cutting steel and other metals and for inscribing patterns (such as the letters on computer keyboards). Lasers are also commonly used in various fields in science, especially spectroscopy, typically because of their well-defined wavelength or short pulse duration in the case of pulsed lasers. Lasers are used by the military for rangefinding, target identification and illumination for weapons delivery. Medical lasers are used for internal surgery and cosmetic applications. ( from Wikipedia.org)

HOW LLL WORKS: We all know that light readily penetrates water. If you walk into a swim pool it is easy to see 10 feet deep. In the ocean light might filter 50 feet deep or more. Even in the Rock River, if you opened your eyes you could probably see a few feet but I wouldn’t recommend it without goggles.

Our bodies are about 70% water so laser light penetrates readily. Early experiments with tissue cells in petri dishes showed laser light to cause cells to respond with increased metabolic activity and was termed photobiostimulation. Later experiments have shown laser to speed cellular activity and regeneration in live subjects. There have been over 1500 LLL studies done most of which show benefits. Those that have not shown benefits have been criticized for their low dose. For more information go to the Swedish site laser.nu on the web.

LLL AND DOSE: Lasers are graded as Class I, IM, II, II M, IIIR, IIIB and IV. The generally recognized wavelengths which are therapeutic are from 600 nanometers to 1000 nm. Wavelengths up to 700 nm are visible and appear red but the higher wavelengths are invisible to the human eye.

Class I: Are lasers which are safe under normal use. The maximum permissible exposure cannot be exceeded. They have no biological effect.

Class IM: Lasers which are safe for all conditions except when passed through magnifying lenses such as telescopes or microscopes. They are large beams and are more divergent. There is some damage to the eye possible when the beam becomes concentrated.

Class II: Are safe due to the blink reflex and are limited to visible light only and a power no more than 1 milliwatt of continuous wave. An example would be most laser pointers. If the blink reflex is inhibited eye damage could occur.

Class IIM: Like Class I are large and divergent

beams and are safe due to the blink reflex unless viewed through a magnifying lens.

Class IIIR: Are safe if handled correctly but viewing of the laser light should be restricted. Visible light is limited to 5 milliwattts. Other restrictions apply to pulsed light and non visible wave lengths.

Class IIIB: Will damage the eye if viewed directly but indirect viewing is not harmful. Continuous lasers with both visible and invisible wavelengths are limited to 500 milliwatts of power.

Class IV: Includes all lasers with more power than the Class IIIB laser. By definition a Class IV laser can burn the skin and can cause potentially devastating and permanent eye damage if viewed directly or diffusely. These lasers can ignite combustible matierials and are used in many industrial, scientific, and medical applications. ( info on lasers from Wikipedia.org)

THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT : Studies on laboratory animals have shown laser light to speed healing of every tissue tested - cartilage, bone, skin, mucosa, tendon, and ligament.

Typical testing involves cruelty to animals, unfortun-ately. Two groups of laboratory rats have the front leg broken by the researchers. One group receives laser photobiostimulation and the other doesn’t. Three weeks later tissue slides are taken and compared. The laser light group have statistically significant increase in osteo-blasts, which are the early cellular formation of bone.

This same type of testing can be done with the other tissues. The exception is skin and mucosa, and that is simply observed with the observation being the laser group heals faster. Again, please look at laser.nu on the web.

As mentioned earlier the wavelength which seems to affect tissues is between 600 and 1000 nanometers. The lower wavelength does not penetrate very deeply and therefore is used frequently for skin blemishes and burns, oral membranes, nail beds, etc .... anything near the surface. The higher the wavelength the deeper the penetration so 600 would not likely work well for a bad hip socket where the offended tissue is 3 or 4 inches deep.

Lasers can be pulsed or continuous. Continuous laser is self explanatory. Pulsed means that the light is interrupted by either a physical or an electronic switching device which has the effect of lowering the dose.

OUR LASER: We weighed the pros and cons of Class IV verses the other lasers. We ruled out class IIIR as being underpowered and unlikely to fill the needs of larger people and even the larger body parts ( such as the hip) of smaller people. Let’s face it... there is a big difference between the knee of a laboratory rat and the average man, woman, or child.

Then we ruled out Class IV because to prevent the burning of tissue the Class IV lasers are "detuned", that is they are made weaker by pulsation. In effect, we could not use the power safely and effectively. In some regards, it would be like having a Porsche to drive in downtown Chicago... lots of power and nowhere to go with it.

We purchased a Class IIIB laser with two attachments. The first probe is a single 250 milliwatt diode which generates an 810 nanometer laser with a 600 nanometer pointing light. (The 810 nm laser is invisible to the eye. ) This laser would work well for small problems near the surface, such as a tendon on a thumb, finger or toe, or an the face for TMJ or trigeminal neuralgia, and other uses. It is also made to use on acupuncture points and can be used to help stop smoking, for weight loss, or for any other purpose for which acupuncture is used.

The second probe has five diodes at 810 nanometer clustered together with a 600 nanometer aiming light. Each laser is 500mw so there is 2500mw total available. The benefit of clustering the lasers is the total power available enters the Class IV range without the risk of tissue damage. This laser would work well for shoulders, knees, hips, plantar fascia, and other larger, more diffuse areas of pain and dysfunction. This larger laser has 500 times the power of the best seller on the market just 5 years ago.

Both lasers are continuous therefore dosage is maximized and treatment times are minimized. It is safe, it won’t burn tissue, and we use safety glasses to eliminate eye exposure.

We are finding that most insurance policies do not cover laser treatment. I’ve read several "position papers" on the internet put out by the major insurers. As would surprise no one, the insurers site the studies where laser had no benefit and use those studies as the basis for there refusal to reimburse. There is not any critical analysis of the failed studies, such as low dose, just the pronouncement that laser has no benefit.

One interesting exception is medicare supplements and many of them do cover. Our fee for a laser session is $60. Discounts are available when paid at the time of service. We will package a treatment plan as low as $30 per session. We figure we have to find a fee which is within reach of the masses. Most conditions need between 5 and 10 sessions. Keep in mind the change which occurs is at the cellular level and involves metabolism. You likely will not sense an immediate change but a gradual improvement as the tissues regenerate.