What is Photobiomodulation? A new approach to assist with pain and much more!

I have used various devices over the years in practice and one type of treatment I have had great results with, particularly with chronic pain is photobiomodulation. I now have one of the latest devices for this type of treatment in the clinic so wanted to explain what it is, how it works and most importantly how it can help!

 What is Photobiomodulation?

Photobiomodulation is the process of using light (usually red light / near infrared light or infrared) to assist promoting and accelerating the body’s natural healing mechanisms. The light energy is converted into cellular energy, feuling the body's cells to work more effectively in the healing process. 

What is laser therapy?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive method to help reduce acute and chronic pain. This treatment is FDA cleared and enables patients to have an alternative to drugs and surgery. Laser treatments take just minutes depending on the condition being treated. The effects of low level laser therapy are photochemical. Cells in the body have light sensitive chemicals called cytochromes.  These chemicals are located in energy compartments in the cell called mitochondria. 

When LLLT light penetrates deep into tissue it stimulates the cytochromes in the mitochondria to produce a natural chemical compound known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP stores the energy that fuels the body’s cells and heals tissue. The increased production of ATP brings oxygen-rich blood to the injured area, reducing stress and accelerating healing. As tissue is repaired, the patient experiences pain relief and reduced inflammation.

Physiological effects of low level laser light at the cellular level:

• Increased blood flow

• Decreased inflammation

• Stimulated healing

Photobiomodulation and Laser Therapy is Supported by Thousands of Clinical Studies. Numerous randomised double blind clinical trials have shown the efficacy of Laser Medical Technology.

What can you expect?

Patients often ask what a laser treatment session actually feels like. It is basically painless and often perceived as a sensation of pleasant warmth over the affected area. The laser beam is held close to, or directly on the skin while the probe scans specific nerve distributions and referred pain patterns based on known protocols. Treatment can be for a little as 5 min and up to 20 min in duration.

Results vary in expected recovery time and reduced symptoms. Some patients notice immediate dramatic improvement of symptoms after just 1 or 2 treatments. With other patients, responses are more subtle and gradual, and require a full treatment trial of at least 6 sessions before noticing symptom improvement.

Much like Chiropractic or physical therapy, laser has been shown to have a cumulative effect and patients are advised to continue laser therapy as long as they continue to make improvements.

Conditions that respond well with the laser therapy

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Osteoarthritis

• Muscle strain

• Muscle tendon pain

• Wrist injuries

• Achilles tendon

• Contractures

• Shoulder pain

• Migraines

• Tennis elbow

• Ankle pain

• All musculoskeletal pain and more…

 Mechanisms of Laser Therapy in Tissue

The mode of action can be seen in the figure above, with the outcome of exposing damaged cells to the low level laser light is the production of three important molecules associated with healing of inflammation are being enhanced.

1. ATP: ATP is the main energy source for living cells and by increasing its levels the cells are capable of healing inflammation.

2. ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) is modulated to assist with cellular repair and healing

3. NO: Nitric Oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator which increases circulation in the inflamed tissue and enhances transport of oxygen and immune cells into the tissue.

 Summary 

Laser medical devices are a unique modality for fighting pain, reduce inflammation, and healing. There are no side effects associated with the use of this device and very few contraindications which makes it ideal to treat all those niggling pains and respond to treat acute injuries as they happen for people of nearly all ages and physical condition.

Feel free to share with any family or friends that you feel would benefit from this information and a perception shift to get them back to health!

Yours in health,

​Dr Mark Symonds 

CHIROPRACTOR / NET PRACTITIONER
NATURAL INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE
BChiroSc, MChiro, C.C.W.P., NLP Master Coach