Laser Therapy

"Light can heal"

What is laser acupuncture?

Laser acupuncture constitutes an outstanding advance in acupuncture, as it exceeds the therapeutic successes of classic acupuncture with metal needles in many indications.

Light needles (laser needles) are more than merely friendly., because they do not prick.. in addition, they have photobiological effects in the tissue which enhance the successful results of acupuncture and stabilize them.

What makes laser acupuncture so interesting is that this combination improves and exponentially increases the effects for both acupuncture and phototherapy.

In laser acupuncture a quantity of energy precisely defined in volts, amperes, and jokes is applied. The aim is to restore dysregulation through a specific stimulus.

History of low-level laser therapy

The two pioneers of laser therapy are V.M. Inyushin from the former Soviet Union and E. Mester from Hungary, who published their studies on the biological effects of laser light way back in the 1960s. Their central focus was the question of the degree to which weak electromagnetic radiation, which occurs in many biological processes-including cell division can be influenced by external light impulses.

During various experiments E. Mester discovered the phenomenon that laser beam lead to an improvement of epithelialization in chronic skin lesions. From then on he focused his research on low-energy laser light to promote wound healing processes.

Laser therapy has conquered nearly all special medical fields since the 1980s.

Its applications are almost unlimited, ranging from the activation of blocked or delayed wound healing to the treatment of tinnitus.

Advantages of laser acupuncture

• Children and pain-sensitive patients.

• It is pain-free. Especially children and pain-sensitive patients benefit from this.

• Generally difficult and painful acupuncture treatments.

• Areas where are sensitive for the patient or traditionally are not needled, i.e.,Ren 8.

• No Complications and side-effects.

• Side effects and complications, such as needle fainting or vasovagal syncope, occur considerably less often with laser acupuncture.

• Infections and hematoma cannot occur.

• Generation 65+. The ability of the acupuncture points to respond often decreases in elderly patients.

• Laser acupuncture has a positive impact on degenerative tissue processes at the neuromuscular bundles of acupuncture points.

Laser-specific extra-effects

Laser acupuncture has an additional direct effect on the neuromuscular bundles that correspond to the acupuncture points. The correction of the imbalance in the local tissue around the acupuncture point has a reflective impact on the pattern of disharmony that correlates to the acupuncture point. This effect goes beyond the stimulation effect and supports the therapeutic goal.

Inaccessible acupuncture points

Those areas that are inflamed, swollen, or very painful tissue. The direct detumescence effect and the circulation-promoting, bacteriostatic, and virostatic impact in the local area makes its application doubly effective in these cases.

Shorter treatments times

Laser acupuncture treatment varies from 10-30 minutes.

The primary effects of low-level laser therapy

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY.

-Improves microcirculation through vascular dilation

-Reduces inflammatory swelling and stimulates the lymphatic flow.

-Inhibits mast cell degranulation.

-Reduces the synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.

Examples:

Folliculitis, abscess, furuncle, carbuncle.Viral dermatosis- Herpes zoster, simplex and genitals. Tendinopathy. Otitis, rhinitis, tonsilitis. Stomatitis. Sepsis. Morbus Suddeck.

ANALGESIC.

Low-level laser therapy alleviates pain in different ways:

-Promotes the release of beta endorphins.

-Increases ATP production and hence the cellular energy household.

-Increases the measurable potential in nerve cell membranes.

-Relaxes the musculature. -Increases the threshold for nerve pressure pain.

-Reduces the activity of the trigger and tender points.

-Activates the acupuncture points

Examples:

Peripheral polyneuropathy, carpal and tarsal tunnel syndrome, muscular tension, traumatic and postoperative pain, needle substitute (pain-free alternative to metal needles), cervical, sciatica and lower-back pain syndrome, facial neuralgia, facial paralysis.

REGENERATIVE.

During wound phase I (stage of inflammation and necrosis) low-level laser therapy promotes antiphlogistic and anti-edematous processes.During wound phases II (stage of proliferation) and III (stage of epithelialization)low-level laser therapy enhances the oxygen supply of the cell and the proliferation rate of the fibroblasts to increase the formation of collagen and elastin. Moreover, during phase III it promotes the formation of the cellular lipid bilayers, improving the elasticity of the tissue. It thus stabilizes the remodeling process.

-Increases the mitosis rate and collagen synthesis.

-Activates fibroblasts, chondrocytes, osteocytes, among other elements.

-Promotes macrophage activity in the freshly fractured area.

-Increases ATP production.

-Activates intracellular growth hormone.

-Promotes peripheral nerve regeneration after injures.

-Promotes nerve fiber regeneration. Accelerates the formation of the myelin sheath of the axon.

-Reduces and fixes scar tissue.

Examples: Improved wound healing (post traumatic and postoperative), ulcus cruris (venous ulcer), decubitus (bed sore), burns, rupture of muscle fibers and tendons, cartilage lesion, nerve lesion, arthrosis.

CIRCULATION-IMPROVING.

In the case of traumas, inflammations, degenerative processes, as well as vegetative and other disorders, the regulation of the blood supply to organs and tissue may be disrupted.

Low-level laser therapy influences this regulation in different ways.

It lowers adrenergic stimuli, i.e.(increased heart rate, constriction of blood vessels…), thus promoting peripheral circulation.

-Increases the microcirculation and promotes revascularization, processes after the destruction of tissue.

-Improves the lymphatic circulation, reduces interstitial tissue pressure.

Examples: post-thrombotic as well as postoperative lympahtic edema, chronic lymphatic edema, contusion, post-traumatic swelling, hematoma.

ANTI-EDEMATOUS.

Low-level laser therapy stimulates the reabsorption of edemas. Thanks to the improved microcirculation, the intranasal filtration and the interstitial tissue pressure decrease. The tissue can be better supplied with oxygen, and the back reabsorption of transudates into the vascular system and hence the washout is facilitated. Since the mast cell degranulation is reduced, fewer vasoactive amines are released and vascular permeability is reduced as well.

Low-level laser therapy furthermore boots the fibrinolysis (dissolution of blood clot) and phagocytosis (engulfs foreign bodies) rate of the macrophages, speeding up the dissolution of the paravasal exudate (fluid).

Contraindications

• Pre cancerosis and malignant tumors.

• Light dermatoses andante dermatitis solaris, skin damage due to UV light, radiation.

• Increased photo allergic responsiveness.

• Untreated epilepsy.

• Infections with high fever.

• Decompensated heart insufficiency.

---

Monika Uriarte-Arri is an experienced health practitioner serving the Miami community. She helps her clients to achieve thriving wellness trough acupuncture, movement therapy, natural remedies, and nutritional coaching.

Her specialties include fertility and woman's health, digestive wellness, stress and pain management, and mai-zen (cosmetic acupuncture). She works in partnership with Clinic Libessart, Coral Gables, and accepts all major insurances. Click here to schedule your session with Monika.