LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION (LASER) THERAPY

WHAT IS LASER

LASER is an acronym which stand for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation as we all know the term "light" which also referred as visible light which is a form of electromagnetic radiation energy which has wavelength range between 100 to 10,000nm within the electromagnetic spectrum. Here the light is produced or emitted through the process of optical amplification of stimulated emission of radiation.

WHAT IS LASER THERAPY

Laser therapy is the application of low level-lasers or light-emitting diodes to the body surface, for therapeutic purpose which is claimed that application of low-level lasers on the body surface gives therapeutic effect for pain relieve and for improving or stimulating of cellular function.

STIMULATED EMISSION

The concept of stimulated emission was first postulated by Einstein and is essential to working principles of lasers.

It states that a photon released from an excited atom would stimulate another similar excited atom to de-excite itself by releasing an identical photon but the triggering photon would continue on its way unchanged, while the two subsequent photon released would be identical in frequency, direction and phase. also these two photons would promote the release of additional identical photons as long as other excited atoms were present. if this continue formation of unlimited excited atoms in the environment can occur which is termed as population inversion.


PROPERTIES OF LASER

There are three (3) main properties of laser:

(1) Monochromaticity: means the specificity of the light is in single, defined wavelength which means has only one color. hence is one of the sources that produces a specific wavelength.

(2) Coherence: means all the photons of light emitted from individual gas molecules have the same wavelength and the individual light waves are in same phase with one another.

(3) Collimation: means all the photons of light are moving in a parallel manner, thus concentrating the beam of light. this property is making the emitted light to have minimal divergence of its photons.

CLASSIFICATION OF LASER

Laser is classified by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) center based on accessible limit, because FDA recognizes four (4) hazard classes of laser based on this laser equipments are grouped into four FDA classes with simplified and well-differentiated safety procedures for each.

(1) Low power lasers which are used in treating sport injuries are categorized into two: class I and II laser devices.

(2) Class I lasers are considered as non-hazardous to the body:

  • All invisible lasers with average power outputs of 1mw or less are class I devices.
  • Include the Gallium-Arsenide (GaAs) lasers with wavelength range from 820 to 910nm.
(3) Class II or low power lasers which are hazardous only if a viewer stares continuously into the source and include visible lasers that emit up to 1mw average power, such as the Helium-Neon (HeNe) laser.

(4) Class levels I-IV

  • Class I is incapable of producing damaging radiation levels
  • Class II is low-power visible lasers (400-700nm wavelength, 1mw)
  • Class III is medium-power lasers - needs eye protection 
             (a) up to 5mw 

             (b) 5mw - 500mw

  • Class IV high-power lasers: presents fire hazard (exceed 500mw).
TYPES OF LASERS 

Laser is classified according to the nature of material between the reflecting surfaces:
(1) Crystal lasers

  • Synthetic ruby (aluminium oxide and chromium) laser
  • Neodymium, yttrium, aluminium, garnet (Nd:YAG) laser
(2) Gas lasers
  • Helium neon (HeNe) laser
  • Argon laser
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2)
(3) Semiconductor or diode lasers
  • Gallium-Arsenide (GaAs)
(4) Liquid lasers which are using organic dyes as the lasing medium
(5) Chemical lasers used for military purposes


TECHNIQUES OF APPLICATION OF LASER THERAPY

There are four (4) main techniques of application of laser therapy which include:

(1) Gridding technique

(2) Scanning technique

(3) Wanding technique

PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LASER THERAPY

(1) Biostimulation 

  • Improved metabolism, increase of cell metabolism 
  • Increases blood circulation & tensile strength of tissue repair
(2) Improved blood circulation & vasodilatation

  • Increases blood supply
(3) Increases ATP production

(4) Analgesic effect

  • Relieves acute/chronic pain
(5) Anti-inflammation & anti-edematous effects

  • Reduces inflammation
(6) Stimulation of wound healing 

  • Promotes faster wound healing/clot formation
  • Helps generates new & healthy cells & tissue
(7) Increase collagen production

  • Develops collagen & muscle tissue
(8) Increase macrophage activity
  • Stimulates immune system
(9) Alter nerve conduction velocity
  • Stimulates nerve function.

INDICATIONS OF LASER THERAPY

(1) Soft tissue injuries

(2) Immunological responses

(3) Inflammation

(4) Scar 

(5) Fractures

(6) Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid arthritis

(7) Pain

(8) Wound & Ulcers

CONTRAINDICATIONS OF LASER THERAPY

(1) Application over the eyes 

(2) Over cancerous growths

(3) For pregnant woman over & around the uterus

(4) Over cardiac region & vagus nerve

(5) Patients who have been pre-treated with one or more photosensitizers

(6) Over growth plates in children

(7) Over and around thyroid gland & endocrine glands.







Comments

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