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

	SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
	JOINT CONDITIONS
	PAIN
	NON HEALING WOUNDS AND ULCERS
	ACUPUNCTURE

Poin selection

Local points for pain syndromes and inflammation. Use our Atlas

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

	ANALGESIC EFFECT BY ACU LASER IN THE COMBINED ACUPUNCTURE ANESTHESIA FOR GASTRECTOMY
	ANALGESIC EFFECT OF ACUPOINT LASER IRRADIATION ON INCISION AFTER SURGICAL OPERATION
	ANTI INFLAMMATION OF ACUPOINT IRRADIATED BY LASER
	CORRECTING ABNORMAL FETUS POSITION BY LASER IRRADIATION ON THE ZHIYIN ACUPOINT
	LASER ACUPOINT THERAPY IN ACUTE ABDOMINAL DISEASES
	LASER ACUPUNCTURE
	LASER USED IN PEDIATRIC ACUPUNCTURE
	RECURRENT APHTHAE CASES BY˙ LASER RADIATION ON AURICULO-ACUPOINTS
	SCHIZOPHRENIA TREATED WITH LASER BEAMS ON ACUPOINT YAMEN
	STIMULATION BY ACUPUNCTURE OR ACU LASER IN PATIENTS WITH PARTIAL GASTRECTOMY
	Low energy laser in the treatment of ulcus cruris
	Laserpuncture in patients with rheumatoids arthritis
	Application of laser acupuncture in the treatment of periarthritis humeroscapularis
	Low energy laser in the treatment of low back pain
	Rehabilitation and Habilitation by Dry Needling and Low Level Density Laser Therapy
	A clinico neurophysiological analysis of the single action of laser puncture
	A comparison of laser acupuncture versus placebo in radicular and pseudoradicular pain syndromes as recorded by subjective responses
	A differentiated approach to laser puncture in facial neuritis by using the methods of acupuncture diagnosis
	Acupuncture as therapy of traumatic affective disorders and of phantom limb pain syndrome
	Acupuncture from needle to laser
	Acupuncture in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting
	An advanced clinical trial with laser acupuncture anesthesia for minor operations in the oro maxillofacial region
	Autonomic and sensory polyneuropathy and laser acupuncture
	Autonomic disorders in the clinical picture of gastric and duodenal peptic ulcer and their acupuncture reflexotherapy
	Carpal tunnel syndrome clinical outcome after low level laser acupuncture microamps transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
	Chemo induced mucositis
	CLINICAL APPLICATION OF GaAIAs 830 NM DIODE LASER IN TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
	The combination of reflexotherapy and homeopathy in treating patients with facial nerve neuropathy
	The combined treatment of peptic ulcer with the differentiated use of nontraditional physiotherapeutic methods
	Combined use of medication with acupuncture
	Comprehensive palliative therapy ways of improving the quality of life for cancer patients
	Connections found between each meridian
	The correction of motor tonic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and of duodenogastric reflux with laser radiation
	Diode Laser in Cervical Myofascial Pain
	The effect of combined laser and electropuncture on the bioelectrical potentials and skin temperature of patients with gastroesophageal reflux
	Effect of helium neon laser auriculotherapy on experimental pain threshold
	Effect of laser acupuncture on the pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with obstructive chronic lung diseases
	Effectiveness of acupuncture and attitude relaxation training in the treatment of primary sleep disorders
	Effectiveness of using semiconductor laser in the complex treatment of patients with obstructive forms of chronic nonspecific lung
	Effects of laser therapy on immunity in patients with bronchial asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis
	Effects of low intensity NdYAG laser irradiation on musculoskeletal back pain
	EFFICACY OF LOW REACTIVE LEVEL LASER THERAPY FOR PAIN ATTENUATION OF POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA
	GaAs is effective in chronic low back pain
	GaAs laser treatment of venous ulcers
	Histological and Clinical Responses of Articular Cartilage to Low level Laser Therapy
	Laser acupuncture anaesthesia and therapy in People
	Laser acupuncture reduces cigarette smoking
	Laser acupuncture special recent reports
	Laser acupuncture therapy for pain and vague complaints in neurosurgery
	Laser and Sports Medicine in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
	Laser is effective for medial and lateral epicondylitis
	Laser puncture combined with drug therapy in the treatment of primary corneal stromal dystrophy
	Laser puncture in the combined treatment of stenocardia with concomitant chronic cholecystitis
	Laser puncture in the treatment of diabetic angiopathies of the lower extremities
	Laser puncture on cerebral oxygenation
	Laser radiations in medical therapy
	The laser reflexotherapy of patients with chronic prostatitis
	Laser stimulation of acupuncture point P6 reduces postoperative vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery
	The laser therapy and laser acupuncture of patients with chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis
	Laser therapy in diabetes mellitus
	LASER THERAPY IN POST HERPETIC NEURALGIA
	Laser therapy in the treatment of the discogenic neurological manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis
	The laser therapy of cystalgia
	Laser Treatment for Tendinitis
	LOW INTENSITY LASER THERAPY TO TREAT DENTIN HYPERSENSITIVITY
	LOW INTENSlTY LASER THERAPY FOR HEAD NECK AND FACIAL PAIN
	LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY OF TENDINITIS AND MYOFASCIAL PAINS A RANDOMIZED
	Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome a challenge for dermatologists to participate in the field of oral medicine
	Neuroreflexotherapy of facial vasomotor pains with soft laser
	New approaches to the treatment of the initial manifestations of cerebral circulatory insufficiency
	Noninvasive circulatory evaluation and electroacupuncture & TES treatment of diseases difficult to treat in Western medicine.
	The optimization of the antiarrhythmia effect by laser biostimulation therapy in treating refractory tachyarrhythmias
	PAIN SCORES AND SIDE EFFECTS IN RESPONSE TO LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY
	Physical medicine modalities for mechanical neck disorders
	PLASMA ACTH AND  ENDORPHIN LEVELS IN RESPONSE TO LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY FOR MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINTS
	Polymagnetolaser correction of vegetative and bioelectric imbalance in patients with duodenal ulcer
	The possibilities for stimulating lactation
	Reducing naltrexone resistant hyperphagia using laser acupuncture to increase endogenous opiates
	Reflexotherapy of neurologic complications in chronic alcoholism
	Releif of low back pain with low reactive laser acupuncture techniques
	The results of combined acupuncture and laser therapy of outpatients with duodenal ulcer
	Serratia marcescens infected silk suture rejected by combined acupuncture˙ moxibustion and low power laser therapy from the abdominal
	Successful management of repetitive stress injury or carpal tunnel syndrome by low level laser
	Therapeutic efficacy of laser and electropuncture reflexotherapy in correcting the initial manifestations of cerebral circulatory
	Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis by Low Power Laser
	Treatment of bronchial asthma with LLLT in attack
	Treatment of Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis
	The treatment of craniofacial pain by electroacupuncture and laser irradiation
	TREATMENT OF MEDIAL AND LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS
	The treatment of patients with chronic cerebral circulatory failure by using laser puncture and the microclimate of the biotron
	The treatment of patients with chronic cerebral circulatory failure by using laser puncture and the microclimate of the biotron
	Treatment of the acute Periarthritis humeroscapular with laserpuncture
	Use of helium neon lasers in the treatment of peptic ulcer
	The use of laser puncture for managing hypertensive crises
	The use of laser therapy in dust induced bronchitis
	Use of low dose lasers in physiatry
	The use of low energy laser radiation in the combined treatment of patients with acute pneumonia
	The use of low energy lasers via action on the acupuncture points in inflammatory processes in the adnexa
	Wound healing on animal and human body

• Microcirculatory changes over the tender points in fibromyalgia patients after acupuncture therapy (measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry)
• LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY IN DENTISTRY - PREVENTIVE PERFORMANCE.
• Infrared laser puncture in the treatment of facial neuritis

Other physiotheraputic techniques

• Extremely High Frequencies

• Magnets

• Electroacupuncture

• Ultrasoic