About Laser Therapy

by Dave Carpenter

You are probably wondering how a colored light can be of any effect on use. Let me first explain how an acupuncture needle works and then how the laser works. An acupuncture needle is a very fine strand of stainless steel smaller than a human hair that is wound in such a way that it forms an antenna to collect energy. This energy then collects and builds up on the acu-point, which is really just a switch that changes the way the energy flows, much like the light switch on the wall. To make the lights work one must exert energy on the light switch and when enough energy is produced to move the switch the power flows through the connection and feeds the light itself. Acu-points are simply switches that need energy to "switch them on" as well.

Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The term Laser Biostimulation refers to the use of low-powered laser to irradiate local areas or points on the skin. This procedure is being used for reduction of pain, acceleration of wound healing, non-surgical facelifts and acupuncture therapy, among others.

The discovery of laser in 1960 opened up new prospects for the medical use of light. Lasers now provide the clinician with optically pure sources of light capable of producing specific photochemical reactions. Since 1971 thousands of papers have been published in dozens of countries dealing with the physiological research on low power laser. In North America significant scientific research on laser therapy has been in progress since 1980. Low power laser has emerged as an important therapy for the treatment of a variety of conditions.

Research has demonstrated significant pain relief following low power 635 nm laser stimulation of selected acupuncture points. When these points are stimulated, sympathetic and other afferents transmit information to the central nervous system. Researchers have demonstrated increased levels of serotonin in chronic pain patients following laser therapy. This may implicate the central descending inhibitory system as well as other endogenous neurotransmitters in the analgesic effects of low power laser stimulation.

The laser penetrates the epidermis, dermis and sub-cutaneous layers, entering the flexor tendons and surrounding tissue. Along its path the laser deposits photons into the cells. Nerve stimulation is immediate. Within minutes micro-circulation is improved bringing increased oxygen and blood flow to the area. The laser beam also blocks pain enzymes and activates the synthesis of endorphin enzymes.

Biologically, the laser light will increase the cell production rate in connective, tendinous and cartilaginous tissue. In addition, the laser beam has the capability to increase the regeneration of nerve cells and will not stimulate bacterial growth or cancerous tissue.

The lasers used for biostimulation are sometimes called "cold" lasers to distinguish them from high-powered lasers whose beams are powerful enough to cut materials by intense heat. For the purposes of acu-point stimulation for the points we're using for ADD/ADHD treatment a 635 nm ruby red pointer laser that you can purchase at Wal-Mart or Target stores works well. It is important that it not be pointed directly into the eyes and that it not be used as a play toy.