Low-level laser therapy: an emerging clinical paradigm

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and its potential effects on biochemical pathways in the body, particularly through the use of near-infrared (IR) light. Participants explore the implications of specific wavelengths on cellular processes, including ATP production and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as the feasibility of using light to influence health outcomes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that specific frequencies in the near-IR band can significantly affect cellular components like mitochondria, suggesting a potential for disrupting traditional therapeutic approaches.
  • Concerns are raised about the skin's opacity to certain wavelengths, with one participant noting that much of the light may be reflected or absorbed, potentially limiting its effectiveness on deeper cells.
  • Another participant mentions that while melanin absorbs light around 820 nm, longer wavelengths like 904 nm may penetrate better, and discusses the advantages of pulsed power to mitigate heat buildup.
  • One viewpoint highlights the potential of near-IR light to reach target sites in the body more effectively than drugs, which must navigate through the circulatory system and cell membranes.
  • A participant speculates on the possibility of using fluorescent compounds in conjunction with penetrating radiation, while also acknowledging the potential adverse effects of such methods.
  • Another participant shares anecdotal evidence of an infrared device being effective for treating cold sores, suggesting that it may activate cellular processes beneficially.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the effectiveness and mechanisms of low-level laser therapy, with no clear consensus on its viability or the best approaches to its application. Disagreements exist regarding the penetration of light through the skin and the safety of proposed methods.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include uncertainties about the specific wavelengths that can penetrate skin effectively, the biological mechanisms involved, and the safety of combining different compounds with light therapy.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in alternative therapies, biomedical applications of light, and the intersection of photonics and health may find this discussion relevant.

sanman
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Say, has anybody ever heard of this stuff?

http://spie.org/x35504.xml

It seems that certain specific frequencies/wavelengths in the near-IR band can have a very pronounced effect on parts of the cell, like mitochondria and on production of ATP and ROS.

So is it conceivably possible to intimately affect biochemical pathways in the body, by bathing it in light of the correct frequency/wavelength? If so, then that really sounds like quite a disruptive approach.
 
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sanman said:
Say, has anybody ever heard of this stuff?

http://spie.org/x35504.xml

It seems that certain specific frequencies/wavelengths in the near-IR band can have a very pronounced effect on parts of the cell, like mitochondria and on production of ATP and ROS.

So is it conceivably possible to intimately affect biochemical pathways in the body, by bathing it in light of the correct frequency/wavelength? If so, then that really sounds like quite a disruptive approach.

Your skin is opaque to those wavelengths I believe and even if not, much of the light is reflected/absorbed by the skin surface. That means the metabolizing cells are not getting the light.
 


I read that the melanin in the skin absorbs somewhere near 820 nm, and that the longer 904 nm can pass through. Even if some is reflected, pulsed power can allow enough energy to get through while avoiding excessive heat buildup.

What I find elegant and appealing about this whole photonic approach is that this near-IR wavelength light will transparently pass into the body like a ghost, reaching the target sites unobstructed and conceivably from all angles. This is in contrast to a drug or biomolecule which has to travel down the circulatory system and then through membrane barriers just to get to the target sites inside the cells. These near-IR photons should be an ideal way to maximize the coupling interaction.

What I was thinking about was the beam divergence. Many laser-emitting devices have a high beam divergence, which is normally considered undesirable, but from the standpoint of whole-body treatment this could actually be quite desirable, because it would allow the beam cross-section to expand to cover significant portions of a person's body.

Hey moderators, I didn't realize you had a medical science forum - can you please somehow transfer this thread over there?
 
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Interesting. I reckon this could have a profound impact on the ability of neurons to form new connections

chill_factor: The body could be injected with a fluorescent compound that emits visible light when irradiated with a penetrating frequency of EM radiation such as x-rays. Subjecting the body to penetrating radiation causes its fair share of adverse effects though so that may not be a viable approach. From what I read, in situations, radioisotopes can be safely introduced to the body so maybe they could be administered with the fluorescent compound. A phosphorescent compound might work too.
 
This is interesting. My write uses an infrared device for her cold sores that is more effective than any medication for clearing the sore quickly. Supposedly excites something in the cells. It is a bit longer wavelength, about 1100nm or so.