BioFlex Laser Therapy (LILT)

BioFlex Laser Therapy (LILT)

Laser Therapy offers patients a safe and effective therapy for a wide range of medical conditions, including soft tissue and sports injuries, wound healing, dermatological conditions and a variety of musculoskeletal problems.

Laser Therapy uses red and infrared light for the relief of pain, to accelerate healing and decrease inflammation. When the light source is placed against the skin, the photons penetrate several centimeters and get absorbed by the mitochondria, the energy-producing part of a cell. This energy fuels many positive physiological responses resulting in the restoration of normal cell morphology and function. Laser Therapy has been used for a broad range of conditions, including musculoskeletal problems, arthritis, sports injuries, post-surgical wounds and dermatological conditions.

Laser Therapy is simply a way of getting energy/qi into the damaged tissue. The energy/qi is then used by the body to heal the damaged tissue at a dramatically accelerated rate. Clinic results show that injuries and pathologies that would take months to heal if ever resolve in weeks.

What is Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is the use of monochromatic light emission from a low-intensity laser diode (250 milliwatts or less) or an array of high intensity super luminous diodes (providing total optical power in the 1000-2000 milliwatt range). The light source is placed in contact with the skin allowing the photon energy to penetrate tissue, where it interacts with various intracellular biomolecules resulting in the restoration of normal cell morphology and function. This also enhances the body’s natural healing processes. The following chart outlines some of the specific effects of Low-Intensity Laser Therapy.

The Technology

This dynamic emerging technology utilizes superluminous and laser diodes to irradiate abnormal tissue with photons. These are particles of energy that are absorbed by a variety of micro-molecules within the cell, a process which initiates a number of positive physiological responses. In essence, light energy is converted into biochemical energy. The result - normal cell morphology and function are restored. The process is curative and as logic dictates, symptoms disappear.

Light in its various forms has been used for healing from the time of the ancient Egyptian and Greek civilizations. With recent advances in the engineering of devices and the development of appropriate protocols for effective therapeutic application, dramatic benefits for various conditions are achievable. The BioFlex System combines numerous sophisticated engineering advances with the capacity to control all parameters such as frequency, duty cycle, energy density, duration, etc. An infinitive range of protocols can then be delivered to tissue in a standard fashion or a customized basis.

The monochromatic coherent and polarized characteristics of the therapeutic light beam permit penetration of deep tissues without affecting normal cells. Again, it should be noted that the end result is curative with regard to the pathology, rather than symptom modulation, the conventional approach for the management of pain.

The Advantages of Low Intensity Laser Therapy

• Non-invasive
• Non-toxic
• Easily applied
• Highly effective
• Cure rate > 95%
• No known negative side effects

Some of the physiological effects of low intensity laser therapy

Short Term Effects:

• Production and release of beta-endorphins (these are morphine like substances produced by various cells in the body that inhibit the sensation of pain)
• Cortisol production is increased (cortisol is the precursor of cortisone). This enables the body to combat the stress associated with trauma or the disease process
• The short-term effect is significant in 5-10% of cases during or after the conclusion of the initial procedure, but is not as important as the long term or cumulative effect

Long Term Or Cumulative Effect:

• ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production is increased resulting in improved cellular metabolism
• DNA (deoxyribonucleicacid) production; protein building block of tissue is substantially increased
• Neurotransmission is facilitated due to elevated levels of serotonin and aceytylecholine
• Mitochondrial activity is stimulated resulting in cell replication etc. (i.e. replacement, regeneration and repair of abnormal cells)
• Modulation of macrophages, fibroblasts and other cells
• Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels)
• Regulates cell membrane potential, essential in Na, Cl and K ion transfer (electrolyte balance)
• Cytokines and other chemicals enhancing cellular communications are released

Other Effects:

• The immune response is stimulated
• Lymphatic drainage is improved
• The histamine response is positively altered
• Production of growth hormone is increased
• The body’s natural healing processes are enhanced The beneficial physiological changes noted above are the result of tissue regeneration and cellular stimulation. Many other positive activities are modulated including the humoral and cerebral spinal fluid effects which are highly significant and are currently under investigation in research laboratories to accurately delineate the scientific aspects of this process.

Conditions Considered For Laser Therapy

(I) GENERAL

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Epicondylitis
• Repetitive stress syndrome
• Rotator cu6 injury
• Temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction
• Re ex sympathetic dystrophy

(II) INJURIES

• Ligament and tendon tears
• Fractures with associated soft tissue injuries
• Facet joint syndrome
• Contusions
• Bulging and herniated discs

(III) INFLAMMATORY

• Tendonitis
• Myositis
• Synovitis
• Bursitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

(IV) DEGENERATIVE

• Osteoarthritis
• Chondromalacia patella
• Calci3cations (e.g. bone spurs)
• Spinal stenosis
• Discogenic and vertebro-genic radiculopathy

(V) OTHER APPLICATIONS

• Wound healing (acute & chronic)
• Dermal ulcers secondary to:
• Venous stasis
• Atherosclerosis
• Contact
• Diabetic
• Traumatic
• Burns:
• Thermal
• Chemical
• Dermatological:
• Eczemas
• Herpes zoster (post-herpetic neuralgia)
• Psoriasis
• Acne
• Acne rosacea
• Neurological
• Neuropathies
• Bell’s palsy
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Peripheral nerve damage (trauma, etc.)
• Gout/arthritis
• Lymphedema
• Remodelling of dermal lesions (keloid scars, etc.)