Low Level Laser Therapy Flashcards
What is included in the visible light spectrum?
Violet to red colors
What is the infrared spectrum?
Visible light adjacent
What are the differences between lasers and light?
Laser produces intense beams of light at specific wavelengths
Laser light is invisible light edgy in the visible red and near infrared band of the electromagnetic spectrum
Light can stimulate or inhibit function based on intensity and time applied
What are the effects of lasers and light?
Promote ATP production by mitochondria
Promote collagen production by fibroblasts
Modulate inflammation (possibly reduce)
Inhibit bacterial growth
Why should laser be used?
Laser is non-thermal
Affects cellular function using a non-thermal, non-destructive source of light energy
Invigorates cellular healing especially of the mitochondira
What are the clinical indications for lasers and light?
Soft tissue and bone healing Arthritis Lymphedema Neurological conditions Pain management
What are the contraindications for laser and light?
Malignancy
Direct irradiation of the eyes
Within 4-6 month after radiotherapy (increases tissue susceptibility to malignancy and burns)
Hemorrhaging regions (may causes vasodilation and increase bleeding)
Over the endocrine glands
What are the precautions of laser and light?
Low back or abdomens during pregnancy Epiphyseal plates in children Impaired sensation Impaired mental ion Photophobia/ light sensitivity Pretreatment with photosensitizer (acne meds)
What are adverse effects of laser?
Exposure of eyes to laser can cause retinal damage
Transient tingling, mild erythema, rash, burning sensation, increased pain/numbness, burns from warm diode, fatigue, not over tattoos
How do you apply laser to a patient?
Evaluate the patient Determine appropriateness and safety Select applicator Select energy density for TX Patient and therapist should wear googles Turn on machine Hold applicator in position May repeat to adjacent areas Document
How do you properly document laser therapy?
Type of diode (laser, LED, SLD) Wavelength Power Area of the body treated Energy density Position of patient during treatment Response to intervention
What are laser and light parameters?
WAVELENGTH
Visible light ~600-700 no
Infrared light >700-1100 no
Power- rate of energy flow
Light sources= different types of diodes
Energy density- mW/cm2
What are the different types of light sources for lasers?
Glass tubes
- fluorescent lights
- true laser
Photo Diodees
- LED
- SLD
- laser diodes
What are LEDs?
Light emitting diodes Produce low intensity light Is not coherent or monochromatic Spreads widely Increases application time required Allows for light to hit a larger area
Most diffuse light
Widest frequency range
Low power individually
Best suited for treating large superficial areas
What are SLDs?
Supraluminous diodes
Produce high intensity
Almost monochromatic light, not coherent
Spreads minimally
Requires shorter application times than LEDs
Delivers energy to wider area than laser diodes
Less diffuse light
Narrower wavelength
Emit more poetry than LEDs
Superficial and moderately deep areas
What are laser diodes?
Produce monochromatic, coherent and directional light deliver energy to small specific area
Provide single wavelength light
Very concentrated
Small areas
Deepest light to a single area of tissue
Can you combine light sources?
Yes
Light sources can be used (red or blue) to signify the laser is on and what direction it is pointing in
Can combine for different therapeutic effects as well
What are the powers of laser diodes, SLD and LED?
Laser diodes- 5mW to 500mW
SLD- 5-35mW can be >90mW
LED- 1-5 mW can be 30-40mW
(Sum of all the diodes)
What is the preferred clinical measure of energy density?
2-30J/cm2
What is the association between the power and the treatment time?
The higher the power of the applicator, the short the treatment time
What type of energy dose is used for acute and superficial conditions?
Lower energy doses
Stimulatory
What type of energy density is used for chronic and deeper conditions?
Higher energy douses
But very high energy may be damaging
What is the theory of photobiomodulation?
Photochemical interactions between photos on and healthy cells within and surrounding the soft tissue pathology changes structure or function non-thermally
Light unlined nitric oxide, releases APT, improves cell function
Possible theory for effects of LLT
What are chromosphores?
The light absorbing part of molecule that gives it color
Why do I care about chromphores?
Light stimulates chromophores in mitochondira (called mitochondrial cytochromes) which triggers the process of photobiomodulation and increases the oxidative metabolism of mitochondria
What are some important implications of laser?
Laser is non-thermal so it is safe to use for acute conditions
Can be used for patients with metal implants and pacemakers
Can laser be used with other modalities?
Ice- before laser
Massage, US, E-stim- after laser
Sequence is important
May be unnecessary with phototherapy
What does LASER stand for?
Light amplification by stimulated emission radiation
What is important to know about monochromatic?
1 frequency only
What is important to know about collimated/ directional?
Non-divergent
What is important to know about coherent?
All waves in sync
How can wavelength affect tissue healing?
Long wavelengths have deeper penetration
Short wavelengths have shorter penetration, better absorption and more scattering
When is the intensity of energy reaching the body greatest?
The energy output is high
Radiation source is close to the client
The beam is perpendicular to the skin surface
What is the therapeutic advantage of monochromatic light?
Absorption targeted to specific, wavelength dependent photoacceptor molecules, called chromophores, buried within soft tissue
What are lasers used for?
Promote tissue healing
Decrease pain and inflammation
Via NON-THERMAL mechanisms
