stimulates the metabolism of the cell(s), and this enhances the functionality of all its/their natural processes. Our bodies require oxygen to func-tion. Healing is enhanced when the flow of oxygen to a specific (injured or ill) area of the body is increased. Our bod-ies perform this function continually via the respiratory process wherein hemo-globin carries oxygen from the lungs to the cells and is reduced, allowing oxygen to flow through the respiratory chain to the terminal enzyme cytochrome c oxi-dase. From there, it is reduced again to create energy for the cell. Oxygen then exits the cell in the form of adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) – i.e., energy. Increased amounts of ATP are pro-duced as a result of laser therapy. ATP is the substance responsible for cellular energy production. Increased ATP in soft tissue jump-starts a series of profound healing effects: • increased cellular function; • improved circulation; • reduced inflammation; • improved transport of nutrients across the cell membrane; • increased circulation; • influx of water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area; • reduced swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. In short, in order to stimulate healing of injured soft tissue, the objective is to effect an increase of local blood circula-tion, a reduction of hemoglogin, and both the reduction and immediate re-oxygenation of cytochrome c oxidase so the process can start again. Laser therapy accomplishes this. The absorption of laser light and en-suing biostimulation of cells results in curative and analgesic effects, from the very first treatment onward. Because of this, even patients who are not strictly chiropractic patients can be helped. Any patient suffering with shoul-der, elbow or knee pain benefit greatly from class IV laser therapy. It also offers robust post-surgical healing and is effec-tive in treating infections and burns. Conditions benefiting from class IV laser therapy include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Bulging disc back pain or neck pain Herniated disk back pain or neck pain Degenerative disc disease, back and neck – stenosis Sciatica – knee pain Shoulder pain Elbow pain – tendinopathies Carpal tunnel syndrome – myofascial trigger points Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) – ligament sprains Muscle strains – repetitive stress injuries Chondromalacia patellae plantar fasciitis Rheumatoid arthritis – osteoarthritis Herpes zoster (shingles) – post-traumatic injury Trigeminal neuralgia – fibromyalgia Diabetic neuropathy – venous ulcers Diabetic foot ulcers – burns Deep edema/congestion – sports injuries Auto and work-related injuries across units that are available on the mar-ket, in the wavelength, power density, pulse modulation, and esthetics of the system. These parameters affect penetra-tion depth, dose distribution, treatment time and the estimated biological effect. There is not any one dosage or setting that guarantees a cure for an ailment or injury. But certain techniques do provide better results than others and are more effective for particular symptoms. Ideally, you want to have, in your clinic, a class IV laser unit that has adjustable power density output and frequency modulation. Some manufac-turers offer models with a comprehensive set of built-in pre-set programs, which allow for a wide range of treatment pro-tocols. These also provide reliable, safe, consistent outcomes. It’s also wise to offer the chiropractic patient a class IV laser therapy session prior to an adjustment. Class IV laser therapy helps to actually reduce and at times eliminate the body’s occasional muscle splinting and guarding response to adjustments. The benefits can lead to more effective, comfortable and longer lasting results from chiropractic care. • discectomy surgery when he flew to our clinic from London, England. Straight leg raise originally measured at 30 degrees. He was unable to walk without a cane/as-sistance. Pain was so intense that he had already been on work disability for over eight months, when he presented. After a course of integrated therapy featuring class IV laser therapy, his low back pain and sciatica were gone. All orthopedic and neurological tests, including straight leg raise, returned to within normal limits. Case Study 2 Patient KQ, a 79-year-old male medical doctor, suffered from severe low back pain as well as stenosis and degenera-tive disc disease causing a peripheral neuropathy and, consequently, impairing his ability to walk without losing balance and falling. This pathology had been symptomatic for three years and had in-terfered with all aspects of the patient’s lifestyle. After a course of 20 sessions of class IV laser, in conjunction with non-surgical spinal decompression, pain was gone. Sensation to the patient’s feet was restored and he was ambulatory and happily active once more. TWO CASE STUDIES Case Study 1 Patient AA, a 40-year-old male, presented with severe low back pain and unrelent-ing sciatica lasting 18 months and due to a L4-L5 disc herniation. He was awaiting 32 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | MAY 2012 ESSENTIAlS fOR SUCCESS Effective laser therapy treatment is a di-rect function of power of the laser light and dose delivered. There are differences REfERENCE 1. Stephens, BJ. Fundamental Mecha-nisms of Laser Biomodulation. 2010. www.ocspinedisc.com/wp-content/ uploads/2011/03/K-Laser_brief.pdf. www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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