Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Laser stand for?
A: The word L - A - S - E - R means Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. LASER's Produce (coherent, monochromatic light, stimulated emission)
Q: What does LED stand for?
A: The word LED means Light Emitting Diode. LED's Produce (non-coherent, monochromatic light; spontaneous emission)
Q: How is Laser Light different from ordinary sunlight?
A: Sun light is a mixture of seven different colors, whereas Laser Light is always of one single color. (Monochromatic). Sunlight is disorderly whereas Laser Light is very orderly (Coherent). Sunlight is not parallel whereas Laser Light runs parallel (Collimated). The stimulating properties of Laser Light comes from these differences combined with the overall difference in power concentration.
Q: What does the phrase Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) mean?
A: Low level Laser Therapy (LLLT) refers to the use of low powered laser light, in the range of 1-1000mW, at wavelengths from 632nm – 904nm to stimulate a biological response. The laser light energy becomes absorbed by the tissues of the body, stimulating their metabolic processes.
Q: What are the advantages or effects of Laser therapy?
A: To understand this you will have to study action on tissues and clinical effects of LLLT. Here are a few examples of the effects recorded.
- Increase in ATP formation. (ATP=Adenosine Tri Phosphate, is a cellular energy)
- Increase in protein synthesis.
- Increase in enzymatic activity.
- Modulating cell multiplication.
- Increased Immune Response.
- Improving micro circulation.
- Anti inflammatory action.
- Analgesic Action due to endorphin release
- Improving collagen synthesis.
- Correcting lipid metabolism.
- Normalizing Blood pressure.
- Reparative and regenerative action; etc.
Q: What is ATP and how does Laser Therapy stimulate it's formation?
A: To answer this question you need to understand the basic makeup of a cell. When we look inside a cell we see embedded in its substance, compact little units like tiny rooms where a great deal of activity is going on and from which heat emanates. These mini power houses are called the mitochondria. It is the Mitochondria's job to break down molecules of fat and sugar and release the continuous stream of byproducts called (ATP). Highly charged streams of these issue from the mitochondria, like electricity flowing from a generator. They serve as the chief source of energy that keeps the cell active. Click here to see an animated view of what happens.
Q: Where it is practiced? How long?
A: It is ultramodern science of healing based on age old Sunlight therapy. You name a developed country and Laser Therapy is present there. Geography of Laser Therapy is all ex-USSR countries, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Japan, Italy, Canada, USA, UK, Sweden, etc Most of them have been using laser therapy for two to three decades and in some cases longer. LED Therapy is still in it's infantcy but has been in research since the early 90's. Q: Is there a difference between Laser Therapy & Laser Surgery?
A: Yes! Most people, including doctors, confuse laser therapy with laser surgery. Both of them use Lasers; However, Laser Therapy is entirely different than Laser Surgery, in that it uses Low Level (Power) Cold Lasers to provide a stimulatory response, promoting your body's natural healing properties. Laser Surgery uses higher power hot lasers to burn and cut.
Q: Can Laser Therapy cause cancer?
A: Laser Therapy is very safe because it generally utilizes wavelengths above 632 nm. Therefore the laser beam is not producing ionizing radiation (which can cause cancer) like X-rays, Gamma rays etc. It is even safer then ordinary sunlight. Sunlight contains cancer causing wavelengths (below 320 nm) e.g. ultra violet.
Q: Can you use Laser Therapy to much (give too high a dose)?
A: Yes! Although it will not cause any harm. It will however have a biosuppressive effect. The cells will become over-stimulated or exhausted. This effect is most prominent when trying to do wound healing or treat for hair loss. The exhausted cells will tend to perform at their original capacity therefore temporarily supressing the effects of biomodulation on the exausted cells. Very high doses however will not cause damage.
Q: Does LLLT cause a heating of the tissue?
A: Due to increased circulation and ATP Production in the treaded area, there is usually an increase of 0.5 - 1 degrees centigrade in the local tissue of the treaded area. The biological effects and benefits have nothing to do with heat.
Q: How do I choose the right laser for what I need to stimulate?
A: When choosing a laser you have to consider the type of tissue or depth of penetration that you need to reach the desired tissue. On the chart below you can see that each group of wavelengths have an effect on different types of tissue depending on the tissues depth or density. It is best to choose the laser that would best reach the type of tissue that you are wanting to stimulate. 
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