Archive for Cold Laser

Cold Laser for Dummies

by Steven Hines, DC
May 1st, 2011

LASER is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Cold laser or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) was first approved by the FDA for use in the United States in 2002. The theory was first introduced by Albert Einstein in 1917, and the Hughes Research Laboratories announced the first working laser in 1960. For medical purposes, laser was first used in 1963 to coagulate retinal lesions and was first used in wound healing studies on mice in 1967.

We grew up with laser beams in Star Trek and other science fiction movies which destroys matter. The reality today is that the military has developed a laser that will knock a man down from hundreds of yards without killing him, shoot drones out of the sky, and shoot down rockets in flight. There are lasers that can penetrate and cut steel in the automotive industry and there are medical lasers used in eye surgery. These types of lasers are considered hot lasers which can cut, burn, and destroy human tissue. We are talking today about cold lasers which act as a catalyst to speed up the healing processes in the human body. The absorption by the skin of these cold laser wavelengths is referred to as photobiomodulation and/or photobiostimulation.

Chiropractor Rogers AR Cold Laser Machine image
Photobiostimulation or photobiomodualtion is the process where a chain of chemical reactions is triggered by exposure to light. This stimulation of light changes the oxidation status (speed) of the mitochondria which leads to enhance ATP synthesis (Krebs cycle). This stimulation of light also increases the cell membrane’s permeability by enhancing the sodium/potassium pump, and therefore, providing the cell with more energy and creating a conducive environment for the natural healing process to take place.

This natural healing process takes place in a variety of increased cellular effects including: cell growth stimulation, increased cell metabolism, improved cell regeneration, initiation of the anti-inflammatory response, reduction of swelling, reduction of scar tissue, nerve function stimulation, reduction of the production of substance P, decreased production of histamine, and the increased production of endorphins (the body’s own natural opiates). All of these processes aid in decreasing pain and inflammation and promoting cell regeneration by the body’s own natural healing response.

Cold laser or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is administered by using an applicator or wand placed onto the surface of the skin at the point of pain (POP) or the injured/damaged tissue. Treatment times are variable from approximately 2min-10min. There is usually no patient awareness or pain from cold laser treatment. In over 3000 published papers on the treatment and utilization of cold laser therapy, there are no documented side effects. In fact, cold laser therapy has an accumulative and persistent effect on the treated tissues for days following treatment.

Since 2002, chiropractors, osteopaths, allopaths, podiatrists, veterinarians, and other health care professionals have used cold laser for the treatment of the following conditions, but not limited to: Soft tissue injuries such as carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, sprain/strain injuries. Degenerative joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Neurogenic pain such as shingles, fibromyalgia, and diabetic neuropathy

The first lasers suitable for treating pain became available in the late 1970’s and ever since then, laser therapy has been widely used in Western Europe. Today, after 2002 approval by the FDA, cold laser therapy has gained traction in the US.

Call us today at (479) 636-3021 to schedule your visit and experience the relief you deserve.

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Why I Use a Cold Laser in My Practice

by Steven Hines, DC
April 28th, 2011

In 2002, the FDA approved the use of cold laser for treatment of acute and chronic applications for physiological (neuromusculoskeletal) disease processes. I have witnessed the progress of these clinical trials of treatment protocols and clinical outcomes since 2002 and beyond. It, therefore, became necessary for me to include this modality in my practice.

Since utilizing this modality in my practice we have seen the benefits for relieve of osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel disorder, frozen shoulder, and sprain/strain injuries.

Chiropractor Rogers AR Cold Laser Treatment image
Unlike high-power medical lasers, which are widely used to cut and burn tissue, Low Level Lasers (LLLs) or cold lasers penetrates the surface of the skin with little or no heating effect and no potential tissue damage. The energy is directed deep into treatment area stimulating the body's cells which convert the light energy into chemical energy to promote natural healing.

The chemical energy is called the photon. "Treatment with laser therapy is not based on heat development but on photochemical and photobiological effects in cells and tissues. [Lasers] cannot penetrate the tissue more than a fraction of a millimeter, so there is no other primary responding tissue other than the outer part of the dermis."

Still, such irradiation has "secondary systemic effects." Therefore, the light "leads in turn to a number of secondary effects (secondary responses), which have been studied and measured in various contexts: increased cell metabolism and collagen synthesis in fibroblasts, increased action potential of nerve cells, stimulation of the formation of DNA and RNA in the cell nucleus, local effects on the immune system, increased formation of capillaries by the release of growth factors, increased activity of leukocytes, transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, and a great number of other measured effects."

Therefore, "deep light penetration is not a necessity per se in biostimulation. The possible reason for this is that cells in the tissues subjected to the light produce substances that then spread and circulate in blood vessels and lymphatic systems."

Cold laser therapy or Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been proposed for a wide variety of uses including pain relief, wound healing, tuberculosis, and musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other neurological dysfunctions. There is sufficient anecdotal evidence in the peer-reviewed literature to conclude that LLLT is effective for these conditions, however, large, well-designed clinical trials are required to demonstrate the effectiveness of LLLT for the proposed conditions.

At this time, the use of LLLT for all conditions remains experimental, investigational, and unproven. Nevertheless, there are over 3000 peer-reviewed studies to suggest the benefits of cold laser therapy without adverse side-effects.

Call us today at (479) 636-3021 to schedule your visit and experience the relief you deserve.

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Our Video Introduction – Comment Below and Let Us Know What You Think

by Teri Hines, DC
April 27th, 2011

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Chiropractic Care in Rogers Arkansas with Cold Laser Therapy

by Teri Hines, DC
April 4th, 2011

Here at Hines Health Chiropractic Clinic in Rogers, Arkansas my husband and I attend several chiropractic care seminars to stay current on the latest technique in safe, comfortable chiropractic care.

At our most recent seminar my husband had purchased yet another new gadget that I feared would end up in the chiropractic gadget bone yard. It was a hand held laser that proclaims to speed up the healing process….

Rogers AR Chiropractic Cold Laser Therapy image

So I reviewed its merits in the brochure:

  • Reduction in tissue swelling by suppressing inflammatory enzymes
  • Reduction in pain by production of endorphins
  • Enhanced lymphatic drainage which speeds healing
  • Release tight muscles improving mobility
  • Faster bone repair by stimulating ballistic activity

I didn't really give it much thought until I saw the results of this laser in our practice. Several of the patients had presented with unrelenting pain patterns that did not seem to be responding completely with their chiropractic adjustments. We provided a package of 10 laser treatments to these patients if they wished to utilize this new therapy service at our clinic.

Our first patient to use the laser was a runner who had trained diligently for his first marathon and developed a medial knee irritation that was preventing him from training.

The next patient was an elderly female patient with osteoarthritis in the knees that was causing tissue swelling so pronounced that walking was a problem.

Then a young soccer player had a severe sprained ankle in the middle of the season and was currently using crutches.

The last patient to use the laser therapy that week was a computer analyst with carpal tunnel who had been to a M.D. and was prescribed pain relievers, muscles relaxers, and an anti inflammatory.

Although each of the above patients had vastly differing physical complaints, they all had one thing in common – none of them elected to finish their series of treatments. I questioned the patient's as to why they had elected to discontinue and the response was that since they had no more pain or swelling and asked if they could reserve their remaining sessions for a later date.

And so after seeing first-hand the results from cold laser therapy I am now happy my husband purchased this gadget at the seminar.

Call us today at (479) 636-3021 to schedule your visit and experience the relief you deserve.

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