What is LLLT?
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is an innovative technology whose use is becoming increasingly popular for its ability to stimulate healing, relieve pain and inflammation, and restore function in the body. A low-level laser, also known as a “cold” laser, has a power output below 1W, thus producing no tissue warming.
While “hot lasers” with a power output above 1W are commonly used to cut through tissue and cauterize blood vessels in surgical procedures, low-level Lasers are primarily used for laser acupuncture or low-level laser therapy. Because the Microlight Laser System is a Low-Level Laser with a power output of 90mw, it cannot burn any tissue and is very safe to use for laser acupuncture therapy.
Benefits of LLLT
According to published studies, LLLT doesn’t just promote healing, restore function, and provide pain and inflammation relief in the body but may also stimulate, restore and heal the skin. A few of the effects of LLLT include:
- Increased collagen production
- Increased vasodilation
- Increased cell metabolism
- Increased cell membrane potential
- Increased microcirculation
- Increased lymphatic response
- Enhanced nerve regeneration
- Reduced inflammatory duration
- Increased pain threshold
- Reduced edema magnitude
- Increased tissue and bone repair
- Increased enzyme response
Relief for Pain and Illness
A number of reports from the global scientific community have shown that LLLT is safe and efficient for the following:
- Arthritis / Joint Pain
- Bursitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Knee Pain
- Muscle Pain / Spasms
- Shoulder / Rotator Cuff
- Tendonitis
- TMJ Pain / Dysfunction
- Whiplash
- Back Pain / Neck Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Heel Spurs / Plantar Fasciitis
- Migraine Headaches
- Nerve Pain / Radiculopathy Sciatica
- Sprain / Strain
- Tennis Elbow
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- And much more
How Does LLLT Work?
LLLT is a powerful tool for bodily repair and pain relief. In addition, it helps to reduce injury damage and loss of function, repair damaged tissues faster, and create stronger healed tissue structures. It works to promote healing from injury, inflammation, and certain diseases by accelerating and enhancing the body’s natural defense and repair mechanisms. This makes an excellent treatment for sports and workout injuries and other illnesses or conditions.
LLLT uses the photo-stimulation of specific wavelengths, which affects the light-reactive biological cell receptors (chromophores) in the body. As a result, it enhances the body’s repair and healing mechanisms, healing injured tissue and reducing the overall duration of inflammation. This provides relief from pain and spasms while increasing the natural range of motion and flexibility of the injured areas.
Although the complete effects of LLLT on the body are not fully understood, studies indicate that the treatment improves circulation and pain reduction through: reduced blood pressure, vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels), improved capillary circulation, and increased production of endogenous opiates (endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins). In addition, it accelerates healing and decreases pain by slowing the reception and transmission of sensory nerves. LLLT becomes especially effective when combined with acupuncture treatment.
Ensuring a Successful LLLT Treatment
The success of LLLT treatment depends on the right application, penetration, and energy level. By delivering the optimal laser wavelength to the target tissue, soft and connective tissue injuries and disorders can start healing. To achieve therapeutically significant outcomes, sufficient photons must be delivered to the target tissue. This depends on the appropriate wavelength and the device power output.
Laser Wavelengths
Once the light from the laser reaches bodily tissues, it distributes in the shape of a ball or egg, spreading its energy widely in the target area. Its reach depends on the wavelength. While short 632nm visible red wavelengths provide a smaller, ball-shaped distribution that is easily absorbed on the surface level by blood and the skin, longer 830nm invisible infrared wavelengths provide an egg-shaped distribution that penetrates deeply into the tissue. The long wavelengths have been science-backed and proven to produce certain biological reactions that short wavelengths are incapable of achieving. The 830nm laser therapy has become increasingly popular by delivering more significant results.
For example, treatment areas at a depth of more than 1cm from the skin surface require a combination of 830nm wavelength with a 30mW output to achieve the optimum photon beam. Devices that use other wavelengths and a low 5-10 mW output won’t be able to supply sufficient photon energy to penetrate deep tissue levels.
LLLT and Increased ATP Production
According to a study published by Japanese medical professional Dr. Noriko Mochizuki*, on laser therapy and ATP production, tissue levels of ATP were significantly increased when the target area was irradiated with at least 830nm wavelength laser light. Lower levels, such as 643nm, did not have the same effect.
While ATP production is not the result of temperature modification, it is a response to the effect of laser light photons. This study, along with numerous others, confirms the unique capability of the 830nm laser wavelength to stimulate cellular responses that result in accelerated metabolism and repair.
By stimulating ATP, which is the primary source of cellular activity, the cells’ ability to perform and complete biological processes is greatly enhanced.
LLLT and Increased Endorphins
Dr. Laakso et al from the Royal Brisbane Hospital in Australia conducted studies (source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15782029) that prove significant increases in plasma levels of endorphins as a result of Low-Level Laser Therapy from 830nm laser irradiation. Similar to studies conducted in Japan, Dr. Laakso et al found that low doses of laser irradiation did not provide significant increases in endorphin levels.
The study further confirmed that the 30mW power output delivered better results than the low power, 5-10 mW units in endorphin stimulation. In short: the 830nm wavelength can stimulate the production of pain-reducing plasma endorphin levels, while lower wavelengths cannot. This information is essential for clinicians treating patients for pain.
The MircoLight Difference
MicroLight is a true pioneer in the innovative Low-Level Laser Light Therapy Movement and is proud to hold the first FDA clearance for cold laser therapy in the United States. Offering one of the most affordable cold lasers on the market, the MicroLight LLLT device is the first handheld laser that can be left unassisted on a patient. It’s easy to use, exceptionally safe, and will never burn or harm a patient. Its unique wavelength and power combination at a competitive price point provides a safe, effective, non-invasive treatment option for pain and inflammation.