About Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
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Low level laser therapy aims to biostimulate. Because of the low power nature of low level laser therapy the effects are biochemical and not thermal and cannot cause heating and thereby damage to living tissue.
Four distinct effects are known to occur when using low level laser therapy:
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| A |
- Growth factor response within cells and tissue as a result of increased ATP and protein synthesis
- Improved cell proliferation
- Change in cell membrane permeability to calcium up-take
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| B |
- Pain relief as a result of increased endorphin release
- Increased serotonin
- Suppression of nociceptor action
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| C |
- Strengthening the immune system response via increasing levels of lymphocyte activity and through a newly researched mechanism termed photomodulation of blood.
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| D |
- Acupuncture point stimulation.
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Low level laser therapy accelerates repair in acute injuries but will also simulate the body's repair processes as in cases of non-healing or chronic conditions.
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Parameters for Use
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Three parameters are important for clinicians to achieve the best possible therapeutic effects when using low level laser.
- Selection of the correct beneficial Wavelength
- The use of the correct Power levels
- The consistent application of the necessary amount of Energy
Another factor which has to be considered and which Omega laser systems provide a wide range of choice in is Pulsing Frequency.
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Wavelength
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- Wavelength is measured in nanometers
- It is set in the probe and cannot be changed
- The 3B lasers are produced with wavelengths between 600 and 1000nm
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Red Light
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- Readily absorbed by the mitochondria and therefore potentially stimulatory
- Excellent source of stimulation of a range of growth factors
- Red Light does not penetrate very effectively below the skin surface and into the tissue below
- Red light is the best for wound healing or superficial conditions but is not the most effective way to treat deeper injury
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Infrared (Invisible)
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- Absorbed through the cell walls (acting differently between cells) and therefore cell response is more wavelength specific in the infrared range, responding differently to different wavelengths
- More penetrative through the tissue, especially the 800nm range, therefore this range is selected for treatment through intact skin and pain relief
- Cluster probes with a range of wavelengths offer the best of both worlds to a clinician when you look at the combination of wavelengths made available by Omega Systems.
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How to Calculate the Necessary Energy
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Power (Watts) and Energy (Joules)
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- Power (watts or milliwatts) is the strength of the probe and is set at the factory by Omega. Clinicians need to know the power of the probe they are choosing to use and also have the probes regularly checked to ensure that they are running to full power. This check can be quite simply carried out by a special measuring device in the Omega systems on a daily basis.
- The simple formulae as outlined above shows the calculation necessary to establish the amount of energy which we as clinicians are providing in each treatment. The relationship is Energy (as measured in Joules) = Power × Time. Omega provide detailed literature on the most commonly calculated procedures.
- To create a response in the growth factor cells or to provide pain relief it is necessary to make sure that we are delivering sufficient energy
- So quite simply, to increase the energy being delivered by the probe you increase the time of treatment.
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Pulsing Rate
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Pulsing rate equals the number of times per second light is emitted. Research has demonstrated there are pulsing rate specific effects with low level laser therapy. Concise details of optimal pulsing frequencies and energy density requirements are supplied with all Omega Laser Systems equipment.
For up-date information and dose charts for existing Omega Laser Systems customers you are asked to contact Omega Laser Systems' technical department.
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