Infrared Laser Therapy FAQ’s
Drug-Free Therapy for reduction of pain and inflammation
Photobiomodulation- Red and Infrared light laser therapy
Rasvana is happy to announce the offering of Red-Light Therapies in our practice. This is a drug-free, low cost treatment for many conditions of pain, inflammation, circulation, and wound healing.
Red light therapy’s effect is similar to the process of photosynthesis whereby light is converted into energy. The spectrums used for these treatments fall in the range of red and infrared light. These are both naturally present in the light of the sun, however infrared is not visible to the human eye. Red light therapy devices produce light in specific spectrums and specific levels of power for healing purposes.
This technology is also known as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), due to the non-heating properties of the light beams used. The two types of light used are LED Red Light, which affects the skin’s surface and about 1 cm beneath. The other is the Infrared Laser which can penetrate deeply into soft tissue to a depth of 3-5 cm or 1.2- 2 inches. It’s an incredible technology!
LLLT (Low-Level Laser Therapy), or photobiomodulation (PBM), works by using low-intensity red or near-infrared light to stimulate cellular processes and promote healing. Unlike high-powered lasers used for cutting or burning, LLLT does not generate heat or cause tissue damage. Instead, it works at the cellular levelto enhance biological functions.
It was discovered in the 1960’s, so the technology is not new and has been well tested. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the safe and effect use of red-light therapies from many countries around the world. This technology is in use in at least 70 countries and is quickly gaining mainstream acceptance in the USA due to some prominent research coming from respected scientists including those at Harvard University.
It’s important to note the approved indications for use of photobiomodulation on humans in the USA are the temporary reduction of: pain, inflammation; increase in circulation; wound healing, including post-surgical recovery; peripheral neuropathy; and wide oral and dental uses including treatment of oral mucositis- a painful side effect of chemotherapy cancer treatment.
A typical treatment will take 10-20 minutes and might involve some red light trigger point therapy as well as application of the Infrared laser directly to affected tissues.
FAQ’s
How can PBM help me? We see patients suffering from pain and inflammation including neck and back pain, joint pain, muscle pain, tendinitis, sinus inflammation, swelling, gut pain, dental inflammation, nerve pain and poor circulation. We also see patients seeking to improve their fertility treatment outcomes. See the bottom of this article for technical info on how it works.
How many treatments will I need? Monika will make her recommendation of a treatment plan for you that will be continually assessed. Many patients experience some pain relief and improvement of mobility even after the first treatment.
My injury is years old. Can it help me? Yes! Remember that conditions that have been years in the making don’t typically disappear overnight. Improvement will be gradual and cumulative. Multiple treatments will typically result in better and noticeable improvement.
Is laser therapy a replacement for acupuncture? No. It is also important to understand that if the underlying cause of the pain or inflammation is still occurring due to continuous strain from activity, etc., your symptoms may continue to get aggravated. You can still benefit from laser treatments to help manage your symptoms and get relief while we work with you to correct the underlying imbalances.
Are there side effects? When used as directed, there are no negative side effects of PBM. You should not experience pain or discomfort as a result of your treatment. Common sense says: Like anything, too much of a good thing can have undesired effects. That’s why we are trained Laser Specialists performing the treatments. There are specific protocols of dose used for each condition. There can be multiple side benefits, but that’s the topic of another article. We will not apply laser to active cancer sites, pregnant women, or to the eyes.
Does Photobiomodulation promote Stem Cell growth? Although not yet an approved use in the USA, there are studies supporting 810 diode red laser can promote stem cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. More studies are needed to establish parameters. So until then we’ll call this one of the possible side benefits. See below for references.[1]
Is this the same as laser surgery devices? NO. There are different classes of lasers used in medical applications. Our class 3 therapeutic laser will not cut tissue or heat tissue to harmful levels.
Is this the same technology used for fertility treatments? Yes, our laser utilizes the same technology that was used in the recent fertility studies published from Denmark. In fact, the first reported uses for fertility improvement came from Japanese doctor, Toshio Oshiro in the 1990’s into the early 2000’s showing improved ovarian function and egg quality in women. Continued research focuses on endometrial receptivity, sperm quality, and egg rejuvenation, with some fertility clinics in Japan incorporating Laser therapy into their protocols.
Is this the same technology used to improve macular degeneration? There is a specific PBM device that has been developed for dry eye macular degeneration and has just recently been approved for sale in the USA. We cannot directly treat eyes in our practice, but we hope to see the Lumithera device appear in area Ophthalmology clinics soon.
Is this same as Red light therapy belts sold on Amazon and Ebay? NO. There are low powered LED devices for sale that claim to have healing properties. Our Laser is a high powered FDA registered medical device that is not for sale on public sites. Beware of doctors in the area using unregistered devices to treat humans. Make sure any laser device being applied to you is an FDA registered medical device approved for human use. Ask to see the registration.
Does the LLLT laser remove hair? NO. Laser and IPL hair removal devices use different spectrums. LLLT has actually been known to regrow hair!!! In fact, that’s how the therapeutic properties of these lasers were discovered:
LLLT was first discovered in 1967 by Hungarian scientist Endre Mester while conducting experiments on the effects of laser radiation on tumors in rats. He was trying to find out if the laser beam caused cancer. It did not. Instead, he accidentally found that low-level laser light promoted wound healing and hair regrowth, leading to further research on its therapeutic applications.
We invite to schedule a consultation and find out if laser therapy is the right solution for you. If you want more technical information, please read below.
How it works
1. Light Absorption by Mitochondria
• Cells absorb specific wavelengths of light (typically 600–1100 nm).
• The light is primarily absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for energy production.
2. Increased ATP Production
• The absorbed light boosts ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, which is the energy source for cellular functions.
• This extra energy helps cells repair and regenerate faster.
3. Reduced Oxidative Stress & Inflammation
• LLLT reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, which helps with pain relief and tissue recovery.
• It influences signaling pathways that regulate inflammation, cell survival, and tissue repair.
4. Enhanced Blood Flow & Oxygenation
• It stimulates nitric oxide (NO) release, improving blood circulation.
• This increases oxygen and nutrient delivery to damaged tissues.
5. Pain Reduction & Nerve Repair
• LLLT can decrease nerve sensitivity by affecting ion channels and reducing pain signals.
• It may also promote nerve regeneration in conditions like neuropathy.
What Is LLLT Used For?
• Pain relief (arthritis, back pain, muscle strains)
• Wound healing (diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds)
• Inflammation reduction (tendinitis, joint pain)
• Hair growth (treatment for hair loss like androgenic alopecia)
• Skin rejuvenation (anti-aging, acne treatment, scar healing)
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25764448
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8837851
https://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/26/4
https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-021-02493-5
copyright Monika Kathuria September 2024