Why Lasers In Medicine?

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)- Photobiostimulation or Photmodulation is one aspect of laser application in the medicine and it has been used for its main effects: biostimulative-regenerative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, bacterocid and virocid, acupuncture effect etc.This "special" source of light can easily pass through the skin barrier due to optical window of the skin, which selects particular wavelengths of laser light. When reaching target tissue, laser beam causes an improvement in the microcirculation and enhancement of the cellular metabolism, significantly facilitating wound healing, pain relief, functional recovery etc.

Schematic representation of the main areas of application of LLLT

LLLT, performed as mono therapy or complementary treatment modality includes minimal risks or harmful side effects, good toleration by any age or gender and painlessness. Laser therapy is an aseptic, and athermal treatment modality. LLLT is employed today in almost every field of medicine, with its growing importance in the immunology, oncology, cardiovascular system diseases, photodynamic therapy and diagnostics etc.

LLLT is a type of biological therapy because it uses photons, which are already parts of every living cell as coherent biophotons, in order to beat the disease. In the era of growing number of senior population, LLLT is an irreplaceable treatment modality of chronic non-infectious diseases

Human tissue absorbs light energy (e.g. photons) where it stimulates and modifies metabolic process similar to the action of sunlight on vital processes of plants. Laser stimulates regenerative process in human tissue and harmonises relationship between applied light energy and various biological structures.

One of the basic rules in nature says that the light is the source of life. The quantum of light energy is a photon. Every living cell also emits photons, known as biophotons. That is the reason why LLLT can be employed for therapeutic purposes without causing any damage to the human body.

LLLT is new, non-invasive, painless, athermal and an aseptic therapy, which efficiently restores functional ability and which is almost free of side effects. LLLT proved to be an effective and cost-benefit treatment modality that needs more investigations and studies in order to be brought to the perfection.

LLLT can be conducted with success, if the following conditions are fulfilled: correct diagnosis, adequately performed laser therapy in terms of technique and method, optimal energy densities and frequencies of therapy sessions as well as thorough knowledge about the safety measures. Therefore, LLLT as a medical tool has to be performed by people with laser medical knowledge .Otherwise it could be harmful to the patient, because of inhibitory or even opposite effects of LLLT, when applied inadequately.

While the effects of surgical (high power-thermal lasers) are immediately visible and therefore indisputable, the effects of LLLT can rarely be observed during the first treatment and they are also not always enough scientifically explainable.

Lasers in the operation room –fashion or necessity?

It is certain that laser surgery significantly reduces operative bleeding and the need for transfusions, as it prevents infections. Laser beam has a capability of cutting, coagulating and vaporizing the tissue, while at the same time it seals small blood vessels. This makes laser surgery almost mandatory to persons suffering from haemophilia, blood-clotting disorders, or with implanted pacemakers.

Laser can perform a non-contact surgery, while being sterile; laser beam strongly reduces the possibility of intra-operative infections. Those characteristics are essentially important nowadays when AIDS and other especially viral lethal illnesses are not yet curable.

The advantages like diminished post-operative pain and edema, enhanced wound healing, improved recovery and lack of side effects, contribute to a significant cost-benefit for the patient and to the health care insurance.

It is our duty according to the Hippocratic Oath to find more effective therapy procedures for our patients with fewer side effects, for the benefit of their psychosomatic condition and better quality of life. One of those less harmful procedure is the application of laser light as biological therapy.

“Primum nihil nocere”- is our motto.