Low Level Laser Therapy Improves Shoulder Pain from Injury

Low-level Laser Therapy with Exercise Improves Shoulder Pain

Abrisham SM, Kermani-Alghoraishi M, Ghahramani R, Jabbari L, Jomeh H, Zare M.  Clin Rheumatol. 2011 May 4. [Epub ahead of print]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21538218

Recently, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has gained a lot of attention particularly because it has been hypothesized to accelerate tissue repair, improve microcirculation, and generate anti-inflammatory effects. To explore the clinical utility of LLLT, Abrisham SM et al conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to evaluate the effect of LLLT with exercise among patients with subacromial syndrome (diagnosed based on clinical presentation and physical examination).

• Eighty participants were treated by exercise therapy programs (e.g., strengthening, stretching, mobilizations) in clinic and at home (10 clinic sessions during 2 weeks).
• Patients were randomized so that 40 patients received infrared laser radiation (wavelength 890 nm in pulse mode; 2 to 4 J/cm²) at three points on the shoulder (coracoid process, posterior glenohumeral joint, and lateral rotator cuff tendon)  for 2 minutes at each site (6 minutes total). Among patients with biceps tendonitis a fourth point was treated.
• The remaining 40 patients received a sham laser treatment from a unit that appeared to be working. Patients were not allowed to take analgesics or NSAIDs during the study period. A blinded physician measured active and passive shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, external rotation) with a goniometer. Pain was also recorded. Following treatments both groups had less shoulder pain and improved shoulder range of motion (all measures). Based on change over time, the LLLT with exercise group had more improvement in pain and shoulder range of motion (all measures) compared to the exercise-only group.

 The authors suggest that results support the use of LLLT with exercise therapy in relieving shoulder pain and improving range of motion among patients with subacromial syndrome.

The authors suggest that results support the use of LLLT with exercise therapy in relieving shoulder pain and improving range of motion among patients with subacromial syndrome.

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http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Happy-Holidays-and-Special-Gift–from-Pacific-Laser-Therapy-Centers–LLC-.html?soid=1103352564945&aid=GsTDWxz4wt0

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Happy-Holidays-and-Special-Gift–from-Pacific-Laser-Therapy-Centers–LLC-.html?soid=1103352564945&aid=GsTDWxz4wt0.

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How Does Cold Laser Restore Our Mind and Body: Turning Back Our Biological Clock?

For centuries humankind has used the healing power of light to restore, heal, and revitalize the mind and  body. Never before has modern science embraced the healing power of biostimulatory coherent light energy (aka low level l.a.s.e.r.). Cold laser has caused a literal paradigm shift in the way health practitioners treat the mind and body.

Although cold laser is one of many complimentary therapies to assist in healing and restoration of our mind and body, this exciting technology has helped millions “turn back the clock.”

 How Does Cold Laser Turn Back Our Biological Aging Clock?

• The laser accelerates cellular reproduction and growth. Faster wound healing.
• The laser stimulates fibroblast development in damaged tissue. The reduction in recovery time is an important consideration. Increased metabolic activity. Helps the body increase output of specific enzymes, greater oxygen to blood cells and more effective immune response are induced by laser.
• Reduced fibrous tissue formation.
• The laser reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns, or following surgery. Anti-inflammatory action. The laser reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints to give improved joint mobility. Increased vascular activity.
• The laser stimulates lymph and blood circulation, to allow the affected tissue to have the best possible circulation. Stimulated nerve function. Slow recovery of nerve function in damaged tissue can result in “dead” limbs or numb areas. Laser will speed the process of nerve cell reconnection to bring the numb areas back to life. Laser also increases the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action.
• These physiological changes affect macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, mast cells, bradykinin, nerve conduction rates and the energy communication pathways throughout the fascial network (liquid crystalline living matrix). The energy transferred to the cell can increase its kinetic energy, and activate or deactivate enzymes or alter physical or chemical properties of main macromolecules.
• The mitochondria are the “Powerhouse” of the cells and make ATP which is needed for the life enhancement process of every cell. Research has shown that the cells of your body actually communicate with each other through coherent light.
• Specific pulsations, known as hertz, that can be programmed with the laser frequency allowing the practitioner to talk “cell talk” with the body. Specific pulsations have been shown to create different physiological responses of the cell.
• This is extremely important when working with a variety of injury and disease conditions to promote healing. When a tissue becomes diseased or injured, the metabolism of the cell is decreased, the laser creates an increase in metabolism and cell communication immediately.

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Cold Laser is Used Regularly by Tiger Woods and Troy Glauss, MVP 2002 World Series

Cold Laser Therapy Provides a Drug-Free, Non-Invasive Approach To Pain
Reduction
by Eliot N. Bolan, MS, MBA & Susan G. Korn,
MA, MBA

As published in IN Business, Newton-Needham Chamber of
Commerce newsletter, April 2006.

Soon pills, shots and some invasive surgery may become passé. There are newer
ways to help relieve aches and some diseases, and Newton has its very own
proprietors – Eliot Bolan and Susan Korn – to offer a number of these
alternatives to staying and getting healthy.

Their company, 21st Century Healing, captured the interest of Channel Five’s
Chronicle recently which featured them on an episode entitled Building a Better
Body.

“Susan spoke about our customized nutritional supplement program with Ideal
Health,” Bolan said, “and I had the opportunity to demonstrate our Q-Series Cold
Laser, which is a drug-free, non-surgical approach to accelerated healing and
wellness.”

Following is an article by Bolan and Korn that explains what one of these
alternatives – Cold Laser Therapy – is and what it can do for you.

You know how therapeutic it feels to sit in the sun and soak up its rays.
There actually is a good reason for that. Look at our houseplants. Once they
sprout, they cannot continue to grow without light. It doesn’t matter if the
light is natural or artificial. Without some source of light, they will shrivel
and die. Just like our plants, human cells require light energy to thrive.

Normally, the body supplies its own energy for metabolic activity. But what
if the body is having problems functioning due to a serious injury or aging? How
can we add the energy that our cells need? More and more people are turning to
Cold Laser Therapy. Laser light, tuned to specific frequencies, stimulates
metabolic processes at the cellular level. In other words, light can stimulate
healing.

Cold light lasers – unlike hot cutting lasers — produce a very thin beam of
light in which high energy is concentrated. There are an increasing number of
reports of great success with Cold Laser Therapy for a wide variety of
applications including: sports injuries, carpal tunnel, migraines, rheumatoid
arthritis, smoking cessation, weight loss, TMJ and Fibromyalgia. Upwards of
2,500 clinical journal and magazine articles as well as books have been
published discussing this new pain reduction technique. Currently there are
hundreds of research studies on-going around the world.

Most importantly, Cold Laser Therapy appears to be completely safe. In over
1,500 published studies there are no reports of negative side effects. Cold
Lasers are safe, non-toxic and non-invasive, and have been classified as a Class
I non-significant risk (NSR) device by the FDA.

Athletes already have discovered the benefits of using this therapy. A
December 2005 article in Training & Conditioning magazine, noted that
professional athletes like Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong successfully
used Cold Lasers during most of the Tour’s 21 stages to unlock tight quadriceps
before the start of a stage and to stimulate tissue repair after the race. Other
star athletes including Tiger Woods and Troy Glaus, MVP of the 2002 World
Series, have incorporated cold lasers into their lives as well.

The same article referenced Ellen Spicuzza, RN who treats members of the New
England Patriots. Spicuzza uses Cold Lasers to treat contusions, sprains,
plantar fasciitus, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and more.

“The laser is basically good for anything that’s inflamed because it
expedites the healing process,” Spicuzza explained.

Dr. Andrew Weil, in his very popular Self Healing newsletter (March 2006)
referenced rheumatologist Dan Muller, from the University of Wisconsin Medical
School, who stated he is excited about promising evidence for low-level laser
therapy … to relieve pain and morning stiffness in hands from rheumatoid
arthritis.”

Other healthcare professionals and users of the new therapy are just as
enthusiastic. Dr. N. Rakowsky, with a medical practice in Florida, said, “I have
used the Q-Series Cold Laser since June 2002. This is the most profound therapy
I have ever experienced. Every single condition for which I use the laser showed
dramatic improvement.”

A woman in Indiana described a friend’s experience… “I have a friend whose
15-year-old daughter is diabetic and was taking 22 units of insulin per day.
Using Cold Laser Therapy on her pancreas and pancreas accupoint points, she has
been able to reduce her insulin needs to only two units per day, and has been
stable at this level for over two years.”

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Study Shows Cold Laser Promising Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Treating Fibromyalgia with Cold Laser Therapy

Since poor healing of muscle tissue and chronic pain are characteristic traits of fibromyalgia, laser therapy is an important part of any treatment plan. Two of the major benefits of cold laser therapy is stimulation of tissue healing and decreased sensations of pain. A 1997 study of 846 people with fibromyalgia reported in the Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine and Surgery demonstrated that two-thirds of the patients experienced improved pain and mobility with cold laser therapy. Another study published in Rheumatology International in 2002, showed that those who received laser therapy had a significant improvement in pain, fatigue and morning stiffness.

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Cold Laser Therapy is for the Birds- LITERALLY!

                                                      Low Level Laser Therapy conducted by the HolisticBird Study Group written by Angela Carpenter

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been used in Europe, the Far East and Australia for decades and has just within the last few years begun emerging in the United States.  It has recently been given FDA approval for veterinary use.  These are not the high powered lasers that have partially replaced scalpels in the operating room, but a method of treatment using photon/light therapy as a healing modality.  Photon therapy includes the use of low level lasers and/or L.E.D. ‘s. 

LLLT can be used for a wide range of healing purposes including:  wound healing, dermatitis, eczema, softening scar tissue, edema, cysts, muscle inflammation, nerve injuries, rheumatoid arthritis (osteoarthritis seems to be unaffected, according to some studies), hematoma, pain relief, to trace meridians, and as an alternative for acupuncture.  Ailing organs may benefit from the light if the light can penetrate the tissues deep enough to reach them. 

While information could not be obtained as to how deep a hand held laser at 375-600 nm might penetrate a bird’s tissues, 850 nm is said to penetrate human tissue a little deeper than one inch (30 mm). 

How It Works                       

The red and near infrared light can be produced by laser or high intensity LED.  Unlike surgical lasers, there is no heating effect. Instead the effect is photochemical.  Red light aids in the production of ATP in cells which increases cellular health and energy.  Normal cells produce a measurable amount of radiation. (The human body generally emits 330 nm to at least 700 nm.) Diseased tissues have been shown to have a reduced level of radiation. The radiation in normal cells stimulates adjacent cells to divide in the normal process of regeneration and healing. Laser light stimulates abnormal tissue to activate normal inter-cellular radiation, thus stimulating the normal healing process to start again. The photons produced by laser light normalize tissue by activating enzymes within cells. One activated enzyme within a cell triggers a chemical reaction in which more enzymes are activated in a domino-type effect. LLLT has no effect on normal tissue. Photons will only be absorbed by cells that need them. If cells are functioning normally, no effect will be noted from LLLT. 

Photopuncture (using laser light to stimulate acupuncture points) is a viable modality for treating humans, dogs, cats, horses, and other animals.  Photopuncture is painless and ideal for use in nervous animals, one need not be skilled in the practice of needle insertion, it cannot introduce infection and is generally less time consuming than needle treatment.  However, Dr. Dave McCluggage, DVM, cautions it’s use on birds in that the size of birds themselves vs. the point of light emitted by a laser beam would allow the stimulating of more than the target point.  

Safety

While no adverse reactions have been reported in LLLT, as a precaution it is recommended that the lasers not be used over the thyroid gland, in conjunction with immune suppressant drugs,  within 2-3 weeks after a steroid injection and in heart patients should not be used over the vagus nerves, sympathetic ganglia or cardiac region. In patients on drugs known to cause photosensitivity a “spot test” should be performed to determine the unlikely event that the laser will cause a photosensitive reaction. Patients with epilepsy should have a towel draped over their head to prevent the chance that a flash of light might trigger a seizure. The subject must not look directly into the laser tool in order to prevent retinal damage.  Looking at the beam is not harmful, but looking directly at the source of the beam could be. 

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How Can Cold Laser Therapy Really Help Me?

Common FAQ’s About Cold Laser Therapy:

1.  What does laser therapy have over other forms of therapy?

It does not require the use of drugs or surgery, there are less side
effects or risks, and it is quick and convenient. Studies have
shown that it is equal to or more effective than other forms of
physical therapy.

2.   Does it hurt? What does the treatment feel like?

There is little or no sensation during treatment. Occasionally one feels mild, soothing warmth. There is no pain
associated with the treatment. Laser treatment is relaxing and some people even fall asleep. On the other hand, it sometimes occurs that
pain can increase or begin 6-24 hours after a treatment session.

This is because the laser serves as a catalyst (energizing cells into harmony and increasing ATP synthesis):

• This type of pain is particularly likely to arise when the health problems are chronic in their nature. It usually
  subsides after a few days but can, in rare cases, last longer.
• More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2
  to 3 times a week. Treatment plans are determined on an individual basis.
  
• More chronic conditions may require 6-10 sessions. Conditions such
  as severe arthritis which may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.
  

3. How long before results are felt?

You may feel improvement in your condition (usually pain reduction)
after the very first treatment. Each treatment is cumulative and results are
often felt after 3 to 6 sessions. Treatments just take a few minutes, however the therapeutic effect continues to sooth and heal long after
you leave the office.

4. Are the results long lasting?

Therapeutic laser therapy is about healing. It’s not about masking
or covering up a condition. When you feel better from this therapy it’s because
you are better. Therefore results have been found to be quite long lasting.

5. Can it be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment?

Yes, laser therapy is even more effective when combined with other
forms of therapy, including physical therapy, chiropractic,  vibration therapy
(TurboSonic), Egoscue, Rolfing, Soft tissue mobilization, electrotherapy, prolotherapy, to name a few.

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The Immediate Positive Effects of Cold laser

Dear Friends of PLTC,

Since the therapeutic benefits of cold laser are far and wide  I have put together a summary of the main healing benefits of this remarkable therapy:

1. Accelerated Tissue Repair And Cell Growth. Photons of light from lasers penetrate deeply into tissue and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. The laser light increases the energy available to the cell so that the cell can take on nutrients faster and get rid of waste products. As a result of exposure to laser light,
the cells of tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired faster.
2. Faster Wound Healing. Laser light stimulates fibroblast development (fibroblasts are the building blocks of collagen, which is predominant
in wound healing) in damaged tissue. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair tissue injuries. As a result, LT is effective on open wounds and burns.
3. Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation. LT reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns or surgery.
4. Anti-Inflammation. Laser light therapy has an anti-edemic effect as it causes vasodilation, but also because it activates the lymphatic drainage system (drains swollen areas). As a result, there is a
reduction in swelling caused by bruising or inflammation.
5. Anti-Pain (Analgesic). Laser therapy has a high beneficial effect on nerve cells which block pain transmitted by these cells to the brain and which decreases nerve sensitivity. Also, due to less
inflammation, there is less edema and less pain. Another pain blocking mechanism involves the production of high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephlins from the brain and adrenal gland.
6. Improved Vascular Activity. Laser light will significantly increase the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue that speeds up the healing process, closes wounds quickly and reduces scar tissue.
Additional benefits include acceleration of angiogenesis, which causes temporary vasodilatation, an increase in the diameter of blood
vessels.
7. Increased Metabolic Activity. Laser therapy creates higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells.
8. Improved Nerve Function. Slow recovery of nerve functions in damaged tissue can result in numbness and impaired limbs. Laser light will speed up the process of nerve cell reconnection and increase the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action.
9. Immunoregulation. Laser light has a direct effect on immunity status by stimulation of immunoglobines and lymphocytes. Cold laser is absorbed by chromophones (molecule enzymes) that react to laser light.
The enzyme flavomono-nucleotide is activated and starts the production of ATP (adenosine-tri-phosphate), which is the major carrier of cell energy and the energy source for all chemical reactions in the cells.
10. Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points. Laser therapy stimulates muscle trigger points and acupuncture points on a non-invasive basis
providing musculoskeletal pain relief.

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Cold Laser: Why More Power is Not Better

I have used many different laser devices over the years and I have to tell you that no two lasers are created equal. The laser we use is from one of the oldest and most respected cold laser manufacturers in the world: Omega. Omega’s cold laser instruments (class IIIb) are engineered and hand built in the United Kingdom.

There is alot of false information out there regarding class IIIb and class IV efficacy. Many class IV laser manufacturers  are misleaing health practitioners into believing that  higher power and wavelength equals better efficacy. The snippet below further demonstrates this fallacy:

• The advantages and disadvantages of Class IV lasers in phototherapy can be discussed, but certainly it cannot be fairly stated that lasers in the watt range generally are superior to those in the milliwatt range. Each may have a place, given the right conditions and application mode. But there is something much worse in that web site (chiroweb).
• According to the web site the 980 nm wavelength has a superior penetration rate as compared to an 880 nm laser (which probably is supposed to be an 808 nm laser – one of the most common types, while 880 nm lasers are rare).
• And further to that, a 500 mW 808 nm laser is supposed reach only halfway through the skin. The truth is that the human body is much more transparent at 808 nm than at 980 nm, and even 880 nm has a greater optical penetration than 980 nm. Because the 980 nm has a lower penetration capacity, more energy is absorbed in the upper part of the skin and the risk for overheating is greater. So again, facts are turned around to adapt to sales strategies. The customer is supposed to be uneducated enough the swallow the bait.
• Another company that uses the limited knowledge of their potential customers is Avicenna. The company claims that a Class 4 laser is much better than a class 3B laser. This is just nonsense. The classification is only regarding the possible risk for eye injuries and has nothing to do with the efficiency in treatment. It was a similar tendency in Europe in the eighties between lasers in class 3A and 3B. The classification is not only a question of output power; it has to do with wavelength, divergence of the beam, emission area, pulsing etc.
• Regarding high power lasers: it is not so that high power simply is better than low power. Looking at e.g. the dose, there is a dose window, described by Arndt-Schulz diagram, within which the positive biological effects occur. See figure beside.
• With the stronger lasers it is easier to give in-optimal doses and also a greater risk to burn people on pigmented skin, dark hair follicles, tattoos etc. Let us say that you want to give a surface of 1 cm2 a dose of 10 joules/cm2 (quite high dose). With a 10 watt laser this takes one second in treatment time. If you want to give 2 joules to the same area (typical dose), it takes 0.2 seconds. A certain power is of course necessary, but too much costs just more money and does not give better results. For most of the about 100 laser producing companies in the world, it is easy to make strong laser (we regard lasers with output power exceeding 1 watt as unnecessary strong lasers).
• Most of them have much more experience in this field than Avicenna and produce more optimal lasers. Class 4 lasers for phototherapy is not new and not innovative, such lasers have been on the market for years but used for other indications. Avicenna claims that their laser reaches down up to 10 cm (four inches) and that not correct. The above criticism is directed towards the gross generalizations of vendors of Class 4 lasers, not necessarily against Class 4 laser per se. These lasers in themselves have advantages and limitations and future research will hopefully pinpoint them. Our last example can be found on the Erchonia web page.
• A video demonstrates how a frozen shoulder is “fixed” within seconds, using a 10 mW diode laser with expanded beam of red light. Not only that the power density of the beam is very low, the optical penetration through skin is also low and the dose in J/cm2 is homeopathic. But even worse: the therapy is performed through the clothes! So in fact, practically no photons reach the skin over the target area and certainly no photons ever meet the target. Whatever the “magic trick” is, it is not performed by the laser. The Erchonia Company should contact James Randi and claim his 1 million USD prize. It´s magic!

 

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