Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Dr. Brian Healy, AP,DOM,LMT
Light is essential to all living creatures on Earth. The energy from the sun is what powers our planet, creating our weather and directly providing vital sustenance to the simple organisms at the foundation of our biosphere (plankton, algae, and plants) and indirectly feeding all the animals higher on the food chain that depend on the simpler life forms for food. Even the power that we derive from fossil fuels originated as solar energy.
Cells have organelles called chromophores which absorb light and then stimulate the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell) to improve cellular metabolism.In addition, it has been shown that cells themselves emit light particles called biophotons which have similar properties to laser light. It is theorized that cells may actually communicate with each other using biophotons. This idea is very similar to the Eastern concept that it is Qi that directs the communication and mutual functioning of tissues and organs in the body.
Tried and True Treatments Using Light Therapy.
Various forms of light have been used therapeutically for many centuries. Heliotherapy, or treatment with sunlight, was used by the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman physicians to address many conditions and has almost certainly been practiced since the dawn of time.
For decades visible red and infrared laser light has been used to accelerate wound healing and hair growth, enhance the formation of new blood vessels, and promote enzyme synthesis.
Laser Light Therapy
Laser therapy is also know as laser phototherapy or laser bioregulation.
Most therapeutic lasers are classified by the FDA as Class 3B or low level lasers that emit energy of less that .5W. Class 4 lasers deliver power upwards of .5W and can also be used therapeutically. Surgical and cutting lasers are Class 4 lasers. More power does not mean more therapeutic benefit however. In low level laser therapy the cells are stimulated by photons. Higher power lasers work primarily by heating the tissues.
Laser light is delivered to the patients in doses of energy called Joules. This dosage varies depending on the depth and type of tissues being treated. Surface tissues (like acupuncture points) are commonly treated with 4-8 Joules. Deeper tissues may be treated with dosages of 20- 40 Joules. Laser systems of different wavelengths act upon different tissues – water, blood, bone and fat cells all absorb laser light at different rates at different wavelengths. Lasers may also be pulsed at specific frequencies to resonate with particular biological tissues or organs. By carefully selecting the proper wavelength, dosage, and pulse frequency we achieve the optimum response from the target tissues.
The general benefits of laser therapy are decreased pain, decreased inflammation, and increased tissue regeneration.
Laser Acupuncture
Acupuncture points are like a network control centers that regulate physiological functioning. Stimulating an acupuncture point, whether with a needle or with photons, activates the body’s ability to self balance and to heal. Laser acupuncture is a form of acupuncture stimulation which has proven to be a safe effective alternative to standard acupuncture treatment.
By using a beam of laser light focused into a very small spot we can activate acupuncture points. Pictured in these photos is a twelve channel laser needle system, which connects to points on the body using fiberoptic cables. Using this method of laser acupuncture, treatment time may be as little as twenty minutes and is completely painless. It is a more subtle form of treatment and may require multiple sessions for full effectiveness.
There are several advantages to using the lasers over needles:
Biologically, the laser bio-stimulation will increase the cell production in connective, tendonous, and cartilaginous tissue. This results in increased collagen production. Research demonstrates that the laser affects the mitochondria thereby enhancing the production and synthesis of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) and optimizes oxygenation and phagocytosis.
The healing process increases the tensile strength of healed tissue, reduces swelling, increases blood flow, increases lymphatic activity, reduces inflammation and increases cellular metabolism and speeds the repair process. The results are accumulative.
4 Distinct Effects
• Growth factor response within cells and tissues.
• Pain relief as a result of increased endorphin and serotonin release.
• Increased lymphatic activity and strengthening of the immune system response.
• Stimulation of acupuncture points, increased collagen and ATP production, increased circulation. Treatment is non-destructive, safe, and painless. The more you use it, the more effective the results.
Dr. Brian Healy has found that laser acupuncture is particularly beneficial in treating painful, swollen joints and has had great success using this technology in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. “In addition to joint pain, I use it to treat patients who have edema and are not able to undergo traditional acupuncture needling. Children are also excellent candidates for laser acupuncture as well as anyone who is needle sensitive.”
For more information about laser acupuncture or to schedule a consultation, call Dr. Healy’s office today at 239-437-WELL (9355).
