Photo-Bio-Modulation, Cold Laser OR Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Photobiomodulation or Cold Laser, are names given to treatments using near-infrared light energy (non-ionizing) to interact with tissues, triggering a range of physiological photochemical reactions.
It can be used as an adjunctive treatment to help patients who suffer from a variety of acute and chronic conditions to help reduce pain, inflammation, swelling, accelerate tissue healing, stimulate micro-circulation and increase functionality.
There are many small studies showing evidence of benefit using photobiomodulation for many musculoskeletal and non musculoskeletal conditions such as wound healing, post radiation skin conditions and a variety of dental conditions.
Benefits of Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy:
- Low Level Light Laser or Photobiomodulation energy is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria. Cytochrome C oxidase is a chromophore which accepts photonic energy at near infrared wavelength, resulting in an increase in ATP, a natural fuel for cellular activity and metabolism.
- PBM process leads to gene transcription and cellular repair and healing.
- Photobiomodulation therapy helps to dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation through the action of signaling molecule nitric oxide.
This is a non drug, non invasive treatment useful for many pain conditions. The treatment is performed as an office procedure and the treatment is relatively comfortable with very little or no side effects. There are large number of anecdotal evidence over 30 years showing the beneficial effects of Low Level Laser therapy. In fact, low level laser therapy now appears in the American College of Physicians as an adjunctive treatment for tendon injuries.
Pain medications (such as anti-inflammatory medications, paracetamol and opiods) and physical therapies such as physiotherapy are still first line treatments.
However many patients cannot tolerate the side effects of pain medications (such as peptic ulcers, reduced kidney functions, or concerns of drug tolerance), and with the rise of opiod dependency, many patients are considering alternative non drug therapies such as TENS (electrical TENS machines) and lasers, before considering more invasive treatments such as cortisone injections or surgery.
Areas which Low Level Laser can treat includes: shoulder bursitis; Knee pains; some back pains such as facet joint inflammation; Fibromyalgia; Muscle sprains and strains; Elbow bursitis; Neuralgia such as Trigeminal Neuralgia.
If this is a treatment you wish to consider, please make an appointment with Dr. Wong. The initial consultation is required (medicare rebate may apply) and each treatment start from $180 per treatment. Dr. Wong may recommend a course of a few treatments every 3-4 weeks apart. Dr Wong uses the Fotona Dynamis laser, a medical grade laser.