Low Level Laser - Low Level Laser Research

There is a large body of research spanning over 40 years on Low Level Laser Therapy.

Please note: These pages represent only a tiny sample of the resarch available on Low Level Laser, and are purely for general information purposes, to give you an idea of the scope of Low Level laser, how it works, what Low Level Laser research studies show about its general effects, and the wide range of health issues that have been helped by it. The thousands of published studies on Low Level Laser have used various systems from various manufacturers, or more basic or specialised systems built in research centres, so strictly speaking, similar results can not be extrapolated to systems other than those used in the studies. Health and wellness are also very individual issues, so these studies should not be interpreted as proof that anyone other than the study participants would receive the same reported benefits. This section is provided purely as a source of inspiration in how Low Level laser might help you improve your own health. We do not treat or diagnose conditions -- our approach is that if your body has the optimal conditions for good health, it will be better equipped to deal with any health challenges it may face, now or in the future.

Blood Pressure – Umeda tested the effects of a Low Level Laser on the control of blood pressure via energy administered via the medulla oblongata. The results from a group of 30 patients suffering from hypertension were positive in 80% of the patients. Laser Therapy. 1990; 2(2): 59

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Low Level Laser Therapy has been approved by the FDA as an adjunct treatment method for this condition.

Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) – Simunovic treated 324 patients . . . complete pain relief and restored functional ability were achieved in 82% of the acute patients and 66% of the chronic cases. J Clin Laser Med & Surg. 1998; 16 (3): 145-151

Fibromyalgia – Longo treated 846 patients with fibromyositic rheumatism during a 15 year period. About 2/3 benefited from the treatment with regard to local pain, hypomobility and phlogosis. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 1997; 15 (5): 217-220

Headache/Migraine – Wong treated 20 patients with migraine or symptoms resembling migraine. The pain disappeared after 1-5 minutes. Proc 9th Congress Soc Laser Surgery and Medicine, Anaheim, CA: 2-6 Nov. 1991

Low Back Pain– Soriano performed a double-blind trial with elderly people suffering from chronic low back pain. Treatment was effective in 71% of the laser group and 36% of the sham group. The pain disappeared completely in 45% of the laser group and 15% of the sham group. Lasers Surg Med. 1998 Suppl 10, p. 6

Pain – Low Level Laser Therapy has been approved by the FDA as an adjunct treatment method for pain related to shoulder injuries.

Rheumatism/Osteoarthritis– Palmgren conducted a controlled double-blind study on 35 patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the hand. In the experimental group, grip strength and movement were improved while swelling, pain and morning stiffness were reduced. Lasers in Medical Science, 1989; 4: 193.

Wound Healing– Palmgren investigated the effect of Low Level Laser Therapy on infected abdominal wounds after surgery. Healing time to half wound size was 6.8 days in the laser group compared to 14 days in the placebo group. Lasers Surg Med 1991; Suppl 3:11

Allergic Rhinitis – Neuman & Finkelstein studied 50 patients in a double-blind randomized study. Following treatment with a 660 nm red laser, 72% of the treatment group reported improvement of symptoms as compared to 24% of the placebo group. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1997;78:399-406

Bacterial Infection – In research led by Michael Hamblin of Mass. Gen. Hospital and Harvard Medical School, mice with surgically induced wounds were dosed with bioluminescent bacteria to create potentially lethal infections. Utilizing a 665 nm laser diode photodynamic therapy (Low Level Laser Therapy) the researchers found that "infected wounds healed significantly faster with the PDT method. PDT shows promise as a topical antimicrobial alternative that may work even faster than antibiotics." The Journal of Infectious Diseases, June 1, 2003, PP 1717-1725.

Low Level Laser - Research