Articles
Further reading
Below are extracts from relavent articles on LLLT
Pain relief
1. A meta-analysis of the efficacy of laser phototherapy on pain relief.
Summary: Laser phototherapy effectively relieves pain of various etiologies; making it a valuable addition to contemporary pain management armamentarium. Click here.
2. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo or active-treatment controlled trials
Summary: We show that LLLT reduces pain immediately after treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain. Click here.
3. Efficacy of 904 nm gallium arsenide low-level laser therapy in the management of chronic myofascial pain in the neck: a double-blind and randomize-controlled trial.
Summary: This study revealed that short-period application of LLLT is effective in pain relief and in the improvement of functional ability and QoL in patients with MPS. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Click here.
4. Evaluation of low intensity laser therapy in myofascial pain syndrome
Summary: Analyzing the analgesic effect of LILT suggests it as a possible treatment of MPS and may help to establish a clinical protocol for this therapeutic modality. Click here.
Tissue Healing & Repair
1. The efficacy of low-power lasers in tissue repair and pain control: a meta-analysis study.
Summary: These findings mandate the conclusion that laser phototherapy is a highly effective therapeutic armamentarium for tissue repair and pain relief. Click here.
2. A meta-analysis of the efficacy of phototherapy in tissue repair.
Summary: These findings indicate that phototherapy is a highly effective form of treatment for tissue repair, with stronger supporting evidence resulting from experimental animal studies than human studies. Click here.
3. Laser technology in orthopedics: preliminary study on low power laser therapy to improve the bone-biomaterial interface.
Summary: These preliminary positive results seem to support the hypothesis that LPL treatment can be considered a good tool to enhance the bone-implant interface in orthopedic surgery. Click here.
4. Effect of laser therapy on attachment, proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblast-like cells cultured on titanium implant material.
Summary: These results showed that in response to LLLT, HOB cultured on titanium implant material had a tendency towards increased cellular attachment, proliferation, differentiation and production of TGF-beta(1), indicating that in vitro LLLT can modulate the activity of cells and tissues surrounding implant material.Click here.
Laser Blood Irradiation
1.Effects of intravascular laser irradiation of blood in mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress in adults with chronic spinal cord injury.
Summary: This study contributes to the knowledge about the effectiveness of intravascular laser irradiation of blood in alleviating cell damage and promoting cell repairing in chronic spinal cord injury patients. Click here.
2.The influence of intravenous laser therapy on prostaglandin E2 and F2-alpha dynamics and the state of microcirculation in the patients presenting with gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Summary: Laser irradiation resulted in the elevation of prostaglandin levels and the improvement of microcirculation. Click here.
3. A metabolomic study on the effect of intravascular laser blood irradiation on type 2 diabetic patients.
Summary: This study clearly demonstrated intravenous laser blood irradiation decreases blood glucose and bad amino acids and increases good amino acids in blood in diabetic type 2 patients. These findings support the therapeutic benefits of laser blood irradiation in diabetic patients. Click here.
4. Effect of intravenous low-intensity laser irradiation of the blood on clinical and laboratory parameters of hepatocellular insufficiency.
Summary: After laser irradiation treatment alleviation of symptoms of liver function insufficiency and significant improvement of liver function tests were observed. Click here.
Laser Acupuncture
1. Treating balance disorders by ultra-low-level laser stimulation of acupoints.
Summary: This study found that low level laser stimulation of peripheral Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture points can be effective, regardless of the pathology. Click here.
2. Comparative study in the management of allergic rhinitis in children using LED phototherapy and laser acupuncture.
Summary: The results show that both techniques are equally safe, reliable, non invasive and successful. Click here.
3. Laser acupuncture in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial.
Summary: The laser acupuncture is a secure, noninvasive, and effective treatment modality because it improves the chronic pain associated with TMD and has no side effects. Click here.
4. Laser acupuncture for depression: A randomised double blind controlled trial using low intensity laser intervention.
Summary: Laser acupuncture showed a clinically and statistically significant benefit with reducing symptoms of depression on objective measures. Click here.
About Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
LLLT, also known as Photobiomodulation or Cold Laser Therapy (CLT), is the application of low power laser beams to enhance cellular functions. When laser light irradiates and penetrates the skin surface, light is absorbed by damaged cells, triggering a series of physiological changes. These are found to modulate cellular metabolism, which stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, accelerate the tissue healing processes and achieve pain relief.
Since Professor Mester discovered the therapeutic properties of laser light in 1967, there have been extensive studies exploring the benefits, techniques and optimal usage of low level laser therapy in treating various conditions. To date, about 4000 published research articles are archived in the prestigious PubMed library; a selection of research paper can be found in our Further Reading section.
LLLT is proven to be effective for (but not limited to): Musculoskeletal pain (acute and chronic) Neuropathic pain | Migraine and other headaches | Sports injury and fatigue | Wound healing | Depressed mood and anxiety. Promising in reducing symptoms or risks of: Tinnitus Cardiovascular diseases | Diabetes | Degenerative conditions | Allergic diseases | Inflammatory bowel disease | Oral mucositis .
Current users of LLLT include many prominent organisations around the world, all of whom recognise the benefits of LLLT and its enormous potential. These include top researching institutions, high performance sports teams and space exploration programs.
Useful links
More information can be found about LLLT from the following links:
Further detailed articles on LLLT can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is low level laser therapy?
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is a light source treatment with a single coherent wavelength. It consists of a laser of lower power (< 500mw) compared surgical lasers. Unlike cosmetic lasers, LLLT emits no heat, sound, or vibration. Instead of producing a thermal effect, LLLT acts via nonthermal (hence first given the name of cold laser) or photochemical reactions in the cells, which is why LLLT is sometimes also referred to as photobiology or biostimulation.
How does cold laser work?
Once the light (of a specific wavelength) penetrates skin and reaches targeted damaged tissues, it is absorbed by light sensitive elements of the cell in a process similar to photosynthesis in plants – absorbed light is converted to usable energy, which lead to reduction of inflammation, pain relief, enhanced immune response and overall, the healing time also shortens due to more efficient cellular metabolism. Extensive laboratory studies also suggest that irradiation stimulates collagen production, reduces oxidative stress, increases endorphin and serotonin levels and alters DNA synthesis, which are supportive for regeneration of damaged neurological tissues and other soft tissue reparation.
What does LLLT do to the body?
Several mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of LLLT have been widely supported in clinical research around the world.
- Anti Inflammatory effect
- Analgesic effect
- Tissue reparation
- Immune system modulation
- Stabilisation of blood lipid level
- Nerve regeneration
What is the treatment regime like?
This varies for different conditions. Time of each session is typically between 25 minutes to 50 minutes and should be applied two or more times a week. The frequency of treatments and duration of treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and other factors. Ultimately, you will elect the number of treatments.
Is this the same as surgical or cosmetic lasers (such as the ones advertised for hair removal)?
No, surgical lasers are more powerful since their pulses are designed to disrupt and destroy cells. LLLT is of low power nature (typically under 0.5 Watt) and does not produce thermal or ablative effect, hence cause no tissue damage.
Does it hurt?
LLLT is a non-invasive treatment. Patients generally do not feel any sensation during the treatment. LLLT certainly does not hurt.
Is it safe?
While LLLT is safe to irradiate tissues, one should never stare directly into the beams. Sydney Laser Health Solutions provide safety eyewear during the treatment.
Does it have any side effects?
No adverse side effect is documented so far. Some patients may feel tiredness, thirstiness, sleepiness and so on for a little while following the treatment. In addition, some patients (applicable for patients on pain management program) may feel slightly heightened painful sensations a few hours after treatment, this is consistent with literatures, which describe this as the initiation of the cellular healing process, this is not expected to last long.
Is there a risk of developing skin cancer from exposures to Laser beam?
To date, there has been no report of cell mutation as a result of low level laser irradiation in research articles published.
Who may not be suitable for LLLT?
There are some contraindications to the use of LLLT, these include:
- Irradiation of the abdomen for pregnant patients
- When malignant tumours are located in a target area for irradiation.
- Light sensitive patients - pulsed light may trigger seizure for some epilepsy patients, though no incident has been reported if continuous or invisible beams are applied.
Would normal tissue be affected?
Healthy cells also absorb light. Damaged or stressed cells, however, are associated with lower absorption threshold. That is, they are more likely to receive the benefit of LLLT.
What are benefits from laser blood irradiation?
The non-invasive laser irradiation of blood is an ideal systemic therapy, which will supply photon energy directly to the body. Because the non-invasive method can be considered as riskless, it may be used on almost any patient and environment.
Contact Us
Current Locations and Opening Times:
Bondi Junction Medical Practice
6015b, Level 6, Westfield Shopping Centre
500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction
Tuesday 8:00am- 7:00pm
Friday 8:00am -7:00pm
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- Details
- Written by Super User
About
Dr Weixing Yan
I was a medical practitioner overseas and have obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Master Degree in Physiology. Both degrees are recognised by the Australian Medical Council and the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). In Australia, I conducted clinical studies in Neurology and gained PhD at University of Sydney. Worked as a Research Fellow in Inflammatory Disease Research Centre in University of New South Wales and Brain and Mind Research Institute in University of Sydney, I have focused on research in inflammatory disorders including inflammatory neuropathies, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and asthma as well as low level laser therapeutic mechanisms and its applications. I have over 30 years of experience in practice and research.
I have used my expertise and LLLT knowledge in my practice to treat patients with acute and chronic pain, and have achieved good results (fibromyalgia - 83% reduction in pain among patients and 81% reduction in migraine sufferers) and accumulated invaluable clinical experience. The most rewarding part of my job is to see my patients become free of pain post-treatment.
I am deeply passionate about my patient’s health, and have made it my mission to eradicate discomfort and suffering for my patients, such that they can get back to healthy state, and enjoy a more active life with family and friends again.
Publications and Conference Presentations
Below are a number of articles I have had published in various sources and my presentations in recent conferences:
- Antibodies to neurofascin exacerbate adoptive transfer experimental autoimmune neuritis. Journal of Neuroimmunology. 2014 (download full article)
- S100A8 and S100A9-oxidant scavengers in inflammation. Free Radic Biol Med. 2013
- Electrophysiological effects of single point transcutaneous 650 and 808 nm laser irradiation of rat sciatic nerve: a study of relevance for low-level laser therapy and laser acupuncture. Photomed Laser Surg. 2012
- Inhibitory effects of visible 650-nm and infrared 808-nm laser irradiation on somatosensory and compound muscle action potentials in rat sciatic nerve: implications for laser-induced analgesia. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2011
- Pleiotropic roles of S100A12 in coronary atherosclerotic plaque formation and rupture. J Immunol. 2009
- Serum amyloid A induction of cytokines in monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes. Atherosclerosis. 2009
- Serum levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products and of S100 proteins are associated with inflammatory, autoantibody, and classical risk markers of joint and vascular damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2009
- Serum amyloid A may potentiate prothrombotic and proinflammatory events in acute coronary syndromes. Atherosclerosis. 2009
- S-nitrosylated S100A8: novel anti-inflammatory properties. J Immunol. 2008
- Mast cell and monocyte recruitment by S100A12 and its hinge domain. J Biol Chem. 2008
- S100A12 provokes mast cell activation: a potential amplification pathway in asthma and innate immunity. J A llergy Clin Immunol. 2007
- Human mast cell-derived gelatinase B (matrix metalloproteinase-9) is regulated by inflammatory cytokines: role in cell migration. J Immunol. 2006
- P0 protein is a target antigen in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Ann Neurol. 2001
- Passive transfer of demyelination by serum or IgG from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy patients. Ann Neurol. 2000
- Chronic ophthalmoplegia with anti-GQ1b antibody. Neurology. 2000
- Rapid immunostaining of live nerve for identification of sensory and motor fasciculi. Chin Med J (Engl). 1992
- Effect of leu-enkephalin in striatum on modulating cellular immune during electropuncture. [Note: Article in Chinese] Sheng Li Xue Bao. 1991
- Effect of endogenous leu-enkephalin on acupuncture immune response. Chinese Science Bulletin. 1990
Conference Presentations
1, Yan WX, Cen M and Cai CS. Integrative laser therapy for management of fibromyalgia. Joint Conference North American Association for Light Therapy and World Association for Laser Therapy, 9-12 September 2014 Arlington VA, USA
2, Yan WX, Cen M and Cai CS. Clinical application of non invasive laser blood irradiation. Joint Conference North American Association for Light Therapy and World Association for Laser Therapy, 9-12 September 2014 Arlington VA, USA
3, Yan WX, Cen M and Cai CS. Low level laser therapy as a complementary therapy managing patients with fibromyalgia. 20th Annual International Integrative Medicine Conference, 22-24 August 2014, Sheraton on Park, Sydney, Australia
4, Yan WX, Cen M and Cai CS. Clinical application of integrative laser therapy to patients with pain and chronic conditions. 20th Annual International Integrative Medicine Conference, 22-24 August 2014, Sheraton on Park, Sydney, Australia
5, Yan WX and Rogers M: Thermography is a useful tool for diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis of patients with chronic pain. 5th Annual World Congress of NeuroTalk-2014 (NT-2014), May 16-18, 2014, Convention Centre, Nanjing, China
6, Yan WX and Rogers M: Fibromyalgia managed with integrative laser therapy. 1st Annual World Congress of High-Tech Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (HTA & IM-2014), May 16-18, 2014, Convention Centre, Nanjing, China
7, Yan WX, Cen M and Cai CS: Introduction of non-invasive laser blood irradiation in clinical application. 1st Annual World Congress of High-Tech Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (HTA & IM-2014), May 16-18, 2014, Convention Centre, Nanjing, China
8, Yan WX, Chow R. Mast cell response to low level visible and infrared laser, evidence of a mechanism for anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects of low level laser therapy. 9th World Association for Laser Therapy Congress, 28-30 September 2012, QT Hotel, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast, Australia
9, Yan WX and Rogers M. New concept, new therapeutic approach to chronic pain. 9th World Association for Laser Therapy Congress, 28-30 September 2012, QT Hotel, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast, Australia