The Spectrum of Use for Laser Therapies

The Spectrum of Use for Laser Therapies

Timothy J O’Connor

Biomedical Engineering

BME 281 Section 1

What is an Laser Therapy?What is an Laser Therapy?

• Low power laser irradiation directed at specific regions of the body to stimulate cellular function

[1]

http://www.hackettstownfamilyclinic.com/images/low-lever-laser-therapy.jpg

Laser Therapy ApplicationsLaser Therapy Applications

• Pain Relief

• Expedited recovery from injury

• Treats many different conditions:

– Osteoarthritis

– Raynaud’s Phenomenon

– Postmastectomy Lymphedema

– Many others

[1],[2]

http://metropetvet.com/clients/14980/images/Laser%20Therapy%20Slideshow/MLS_effects.jpg

http://metropetvet.com/clients/14980/images/Laser%20Therapy%20Slideshow/MLS_effects.jpg

Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis

• degeneration of the connective cartilage in joints

• causes swelling, joint pain, decreased motion

• no pharmacology to treat

[4]

http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/img/osteoarthritis_diag.jpg

Methods and ResultsMethods and Results

• used three different laser therapies:– single-wave– two-wave doses: 12.4 j/point, 6.6 j/point

• Decreased swelling and pain • Increased range of motion• Two-wave 12.4 j/point

– pulsation promoted cell repair – steady beam decreased pain

[4]

Treating Raynaud’s PhenomenonTreating Raynaud’s Phenomenon

• circulatory abnormalities cause extremities to be extremely sensitive to cold and emotional stimuli

• treated with Multiwave Locked System LT • Promotes the production of VEGF to work with Ang-

2 promoting cell activation• Circulatory function and growth returns to normal • Decreased Attacks

– frequency (20-15 /week) – time (15.0-10.0 min)

[2]

Postmastectomy LymphedemaPostmastectomy Lymphedema

• swelling of lymph nodes and surrounding are

• single-wave therapy• stimulates

lymphatic pathways

http://www.woundcareservices.org/wp-content/uploads

[3]

ResultsResults

[3]

ConclusionConclusion

• Phenomenal potential is treating chronic pain

• Attacks conditions typical pharmacology cannot address

• Easy and cost affective application

• Wide-variety of treatments using one device

http://www.detroitmichiropractor.com/img/M6%20Application.jpg

What next?What next?

Any questions?Any questions?

References References

[1] Wikipedia: Low-level Laser Therapy <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_level_laser_therapy> 15 November 2015.

[2] Kuryliszyn-Moskal A, Kita J, Dakowicz A, et al. "The Influence of Multiwave Locked System Laser Therapy in Patients with Raynaud’s Phenomenon.” Clin Rheumatol (2015): pp.489-96. Web. 15 November 2015.

[3] Carati C, Anderson S, Gannon B, Piller N. “Treatment of Postmastectomy Lymphedema with Low-Level Laser Therapy.” Cancer (2003): vol.98, pp.1114-22. ACS. Web. 15 November 2015.

[4] Gworys K, Gastych J, Puzder A, et al. "Influence of Various Laser Therapy Methods on Knee Joint pain and Function in Patients with Knee

Osteoarthritis.” Traumatology Rehabilitation: vol.14, pp.269-77. Web. 15 November 2015.