LLLT ( Low Level Laser Therapy ) is the dominant term in use today. In the literature LPLT ( Low Power Laser Therapy ) is also frequently used. " Therapeutic laser ", " low level laser " or " low power laser ",  " low-energy laser " are also used for laser therapy. The term " soft laser " was originally used to differentiate therapeutic lasers from " hard lasers ", i.e. surgical lasers. Several different designations then emerged, such as " MID laser " and " medical laser ".  " Biostimulating laser " is another term, with the disadvantage that one can also give inhibiting doses. The term " bioregulating laser " has thus been proposed.  Other suggested names are " low-reactive-level laser ", "low-intensity-level laser", " photobiostimulation laser " and " photobiomodulation laser "

Laser acupuncture

The effect is photochemical (like photosynthesis in plants)

Red light aids the production of ATP thereby providing the cell with more energy which in turn means the cell is in optimum condition to play it's part in a natural healing process

Shorter wavelengths (600nm-700nm) are absorbed within a couple of mm by hemoglobin, longer wavelengths (1,000nm + )are absorbed by fat and water

Main indications

Poin selection

Type of the laser

LLLT devices are typically delivering 2 mW - 200 mW (0.2 -> 0.02 Watts). The power density typically ranges from 0.05W/Cm2 -> 5 W/Cm2

Gas lasers (such as helium neon) for this therapy is not so popular a semi-conductor lasers. Helium Neon (HeNe) works quite well but has many disadvantages when compared to the modern semi-conductor GaAlAs diode type systems. Helium neon lacks power, is large, wears out, fragile, requires high voltage, and is quite expensive. Semi conductor types are quite the opposite in all he above cases.

Semiconductor lasers:

GaAs 904 nm 
GaAlAs 780-820-870 nm 
InGaAlP 630-685 nm 

HeNe laser with a power output of 3.5 mW has a greatest active depth of 6-8 mm depending on the type of tissue involved. A HeNe laser with an output of 7 mW has a greatest active depth of 8-10 mm. A GaAlAs probe of some strength has a penetration of 3.5 cm with a 5.5 cm lateral spread. A GaAs laser has a greatest active depth of between 20 and 30 mm (sometimes down to 40-50 mm), depending on its peak pulse output (around a thousand times greater than its average power output). If you are working in direct contact with the skin, and press the probe against the skin, then the greatest active depth will be achieved

The usage of lasers for acupuncture according to more than 100 successful clinical trials (see clinical trials below) is:

Power

Power is expressed in watts (W) however LLLT device outputs are so low the tend to be expressed in milli-watts (mW)

Powers for constant lasers and Average Powers for pulse lasers are typically 3 -100 mW.

More power means shorter treatment times

The usage of average power for acupuncture according to more than 100 successful clinical trials (see clinical trials below) is:

Power density

Power Density (Pd) expressed in W/Cm2 or mW/Cm2. This is an essential parameter

Pd (W/Cm2) = Total power (W or mW)   / Size of beam (Cm2)

Power density, indicating the degree of concentration of the power output, has also increasingly proved to play a major role. It is measured in watts per square centimetre (W/cm2).  Some studies have concluded that the power density may be of even greater significance than the dose. 

The usage of power density for acupuncture according to more than 100 successful clinical trials (see clinical trials below) is:

Dose

The most important parameter in LLLT is always the dose. By dose  (D) is meant the energy (E) of the light directed during a given session of therapy. The energy is measured in J (joules).

The dose of 1 J = 1 Watt of irradiation during  1 Sec

Dose ( J ) = Average Power (Watt or  mWx1000) of your laser)  x  Time of irradiation (Sec)

In other trials by dose  (D) is meant the energy (E) of the light directed at a given unit of area (A) during a given session of therapy. The energy is measured in J (joules), the area in cm², and, consequently, the dose in J/cm2.

Assuming that the power (P) output of the laser probe remains constant during treatment, the energy (E) of the light will be equal to the power multiplied by the time (t) during which the light is emitted. Sometimes, however, the power output is not constant, such as when the laser is pulsed or modulated. This enables distinguish  average power and maximum power. In these lasers the maximum power is always  greater than the average power.

If the laser output is not constant and Average power is not indicated by supplier to calculate the average power you need:

Average Power (mW) = Maximum power (mW)  X (Duration of impulse / 1 sec) X (Frequency of impulses) 

Normal dose today is 0.5 - 2 J per acupuncture point and 1 - 4 J per trigger point

The usage of dose for acupuncture according to more than 100 successful clinical trials (see clinical trials below) is:

Safety of equipment

3A class laser products

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

Do not use over the pregnant uterus, thyroid gland or any known malignancies. 

Do not treat the eyes

PRECAUTIONS

Steroid injections, long term NSAIDS, anti-coagulant therapy, patients with epilepsy. This list is for guidance only, for further information please contact your supplier.

Pins, metal plates, plastics & pacemakers are not contra-indicated

The total output of a LLLT device is quite low when compared other light sources however the light from a laser is from a point source and substantially on one direction. If someone stared straight at the beam and got a good focus on the source of the beam they could conceivably suffer retinal damage

Papers, trials

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