(More recently known as Photobiomodulation Therapy – PBMT)

Dr. Joseph Ferraro , B.Nat, Dip.Acu, a Registered Acupuncturist has been clinically using Low Level Lasers since 1997, originally as an alternative to needles for Acupuncture treatment, but he soon realised the benefits of laser went beyond this. As an Acupuncturist Joseph is extremely well versed in treating a myriad of pain conditions, both acute and chronic. He combines his extensive knowledge and experience of both Acupuncture and Low Level Laser Therapy to provide patients with informed and professional care.

What is photobiomodulation? Previously known as Low Level Laser Therapy?

Photobiomodulation therapy ( PBM therapy) or low level laser therapy ( LLLT ) is the application of specific wavelengths of laser and LED light to the human body to reduce pain and promote tissue healing.  The low level lasers used in this therapy are applied to the skin, the therapy is completely non invasive and painless. It is suitable for people of all ages.

Low level lasers by virtue of their output and design cannot burn or cut, unlike lasers used in surgery and hence they are also known as “cold lasers”. In regard to pain, PBM relieves pain by affecting pain receptors and reducing inflammation and swelling in the painful area. PBM improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation and bio stimulates the body’s cells, which then kick starts the healing process.

PBM has over 30 years of published evidence-based research behind it. There have been hundreds of randomised clinical trials and studies, and several of these studies have been published in some of the worlds’ top scientific journals like Nature, the British Medical Journal and the Lancet.

The clinical benefits of PBM are :

• Pain relief
• Anti-inflammatory
• Improves circulation , therefore delivering nutrients to injured tissue
• Tissue repair
• Virtually no side effects

This makes PBM useful in a broad range of pain conditions, musculo- skeletal conditions and for tissue healing. Such as:

• Neck, mid back and lower back pain
• Arthritic joint pain
• Tendonitis, like tennis and golfers elbow
• Bursitis
• Sciatica
• Frozen shoulder
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Rotator Cuff pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraine
• Plantar fasciitis (foot and heel pain)
• Neuralgia (nerve pain) including facial or trigeminal neuralgia
• Sports injuries, sprains, strains and hamstring injury
• Achilles tendon pain
• TMJ disfunction ( jaw pain)
• Sinusitis and many more conditions…
• Post Operative Pain

Some PBM Therapy Science.

When it comes to PBM the wavelengths of light used the most are within the red and near infrared part of the light spectrum. These wavelengths as mentioned previously are known to have the following beneficial effects on human tissue: anti inflammatory, improving circulation, promoting tissue healing and reducing pain. As you can see from the diagram below visible light is only a small band within the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Light can penetrate the skin and lower tissue layers. Simply speaking the light is more deeply absorbed as we move from blue light to red light and then the invisible near infrared.

This image represents how the red light and near infrared light penetrate the human tissue.
Please remember PBM is completely painless.

On top of this the mitochondria – the tiny organelles that produce energy ( ATP) in the cells are bio stimulated by the red and near infrared light and subsequently overall cell and tissue functioning is enhanced.

Here are some recently published scientific articles on LLLT if you’re keen to learn more.

Two-year follow-up of low-level laser therapy for … – NCBI

The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific …

Efficacy Of Low-Level Laser Therapy In The Treatment Of Neck Pain

Make an LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy) booking with Real Health today at our Mont Albert North or Blackburn North clinics in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs.