Therapeutic Laser Evolution: Part 1

A review of the historical generations of laser technology that leads up to the present.

By Douglas Johnson, ATC, CLS

I am pleased to have Doug Johnson discuss the evolution of therapeutic laser in this issue. There have been a number of new developments in this field in recent years. In this part one (of two), Doug reviews the historical generations of laser technology that leads up to the present. I will be joining him in part two of this series to discuss one of the newest generations of laser therapy: laser/TENS combined stimulation.

William J. Kneebone, CRNA, DC, CNC, DIHom

It is well known that all tech-nology advances—sometimes faster than we can control. However, phototherapy technology has lagged behind. Even though there are greater selections of available products, most of these devices do not differ much from the initial offering six years ago. Most “new” technology has been limited to repackaging, new “sales” jargon, or power increases. Recently, however, there has been phototherapy technology that is expanding the potential for this modality in new ways.

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Resources

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2. Ibid. ref 1; pp 42-43.
3. Zharov VP. Laser combined medical technologies from Russia. Journal of Laser Applications. April 1999. 11(2): 80-90.
4. Almeida TF, Roizenblatt S, Benedito-Silva AA, and Tufik S. The effect of combined therapy (ultrasound and interferential current) on pain and sleep in fibromyalgia. 2003. Pain. 104:665-672.
5. Dakowicz A and Latosiewicz R. The value of iontophoresis combined with ultrasound in patients with the carpal tunnel syndrome. A, LaRtooscizenwiikciz A Rkademii Medycznej w Bialymstoku.Vol. 50, Suppl. 1. Annales Academiae Medicae Bialostocensis. 2005
6. www.litecure.com/Pages/laserMassage_main. html. Accessed 10/5/08.
7. HS-3050 Face Focus Beauty with Ultrasonic and Infrared. Hwang Sun Enterprised Co, LTD.
8. FDA Clearance: K071445: Trade Name Device: LaserTENS, Multi Radiance Medical.
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10. Demir H, Menku P, Kirnap M, Calis M, and Ikizceli I. Comparison of the effects of laser, ultrasound, and combined laser + ultrasound treatments in experimental tendon healing. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 35(1): 84-89.
11. Reddy GK, Gum S, Stehno-Bittel L, and Enwemeka CS. Biochemistry and biomechanics of healing tendon Part II: Effects of combined laser therapy and electrical stimulation. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998. 30: 794-800.
12. FDA Clearance: K071445: Trade Name Device: LaserTENS. Multi Radiance Medical.
13. www.lasertronforhair.com/clinicalresearch.asp Accessed 10/5/08.
14. Kato MT, Kogawa EM, Santos CN, and Conti PCR. TENS and low-level laser therapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders. J Appl Oral Sci. Apr 2006. 14(2) Bauru.
15. Wells J, Konrad P, Kao C, Duco JE, and Mahadevan-Jansen A. Pulsed laser versus electrical energy for peripheral nerve stimulation. Journal of neuroscience methods. 2007. 163(2): 326-337.
16. Naeser MA, Hahn KA, Lieberman BE, and Branco KF. Carpal tunnel syndrome pain treated with low-level laser and microamperes transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation: A controlled study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. Jul 2002. 83(7): 978-988.

First published on: October 1, 2008

Practical Pain Management

Volume 8, Issue #8

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Therapeutic Laser Evolution: Part 1

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