Cobanoglu Clinic,Çobanoğlu Klinik

Low Level Laser Therapy (SOFT LASER) Applications

What is laser light?

The word laser is the abbreviation for "Light Amplification of stimulated Emission of Radiation".

Normal light is a white light, the combination of all colors. However, laser light takes the color of the wavelength that it is formed at and is monochromatic.

All photons that it contains are at a single wavelength and are in the form of parallel waves. Laser light preserves this harmony and may reach to far distances.

Since photon intensity of laser light is high, it is brighter than daylight.

While normal light is retained on the skin, laser light penetrates the skin and reaches to the tissues that are found depths of the body.

Lasers used in medicine are divided into two main groups.

1. High Level Lasers: Used in processes for cutting the tissues, coagulating the blood, burn or vaporizing diseased tissues.

2. Low Level Lasers: (Low Level Laser - Soft Laser) Used to stimulate and regulate the functions of the cells and tissues. The most commonly used lasers among these are red and infrared lasers.

What is low level laser therapy (LLLT)?

This treatment method, named as Low level laser therapy (LLLT) or soft laser; is sending an high intensity beam to the targeted region at a certain dose, at a single wavelength (monochromatic) and at the same frequency (photons carrying the light energy of the same phase) and activating the mechanisms that provide healing in the cells and tissues.

In this treatment with the application of beams at red and infrared wavelengths to damaged or diseased tissues, supporting the healing of wounds and all kinds of soft tissue damages and at the same time, reducing the acute and chronic pains are targeted.

LLLT is a painless, non-interventional (non-invasive), safe and effective method that has no harmful effect, that does not require the use of medication on the condition that it is applied by trained specialists and for the right indications.

LLLT shortens the healing process in the damages tissues 30-40% and tissues healed under the effect of laser become more robust and strong compared to the tissues healing without the application of laser.

Basic goals of LLLT;

Increase the speed, quality and robustness in the reparation of the tissue damage,

Relieve pain

Eliminate inflammation

What are the effects of laser light at the cellular level?

Laser beams do not establish heating effect unlike surgical lasers and do not cause any damage in the tissue.

The reactions between molecules, macromolecules and cells are basically electromagnetic and are managed with very small particles called photons.
Therefore, electromagnetic effects like laser light have important effects on the cells when given at appropriate wavelengths. The here, the formed effect is a photochemical effect and may resemble the plants’ photosynthesis in daylight.

Red light increases the production of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) which is the source of energy in cells and has the cells perform their functions better and contribute to the recovery process of the cells at the maximum.

In humans, many cells that clean the damaged, dead cells and residues (making phagocytosis) are shown to radiate beams at various wavelengths and at the same time many cells like lymphocytes, leukocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts are stimulated with low level laser beams given at these wavelengths.

Living cells has to perform some functions called metabolism to sustain their vitality. During metabolism, energy is used and heat is formed. Correct laser applications performed at appropriate wavelengths may have important effects on the functioning of living cells.

The treatment period lasts for seconds or minutes according to the condition. The response to the treatment is demonstrated to be dependent on the administered dose. Therefore, sequential treatments of low doses may be more effective than single application at high doses.

Main effects of LLT in tissues and cells;

Increasing blood circulation and provides feeding of the cells with more oxygen and accelerated the healing of damaged parts.

As a result of activation of the cells called fibroblasts and secreting collagen at the application site, increases the production of this protein which has an important role in the healing of the damaged tissues and provides the elasticity of the tissues, and has an important contribution to the healing of tissue and cell healing.

Increasing the production of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) that provides storage and transferring of energy at the cellular level. The increase in ATP is the most important factor in the elimination of metabolic residues of the cells and their turning back to normal metabolic functions.

Activating the functioning of the lymphatic system and aiding in the recovery of swelling (edema) in the tissues)

Increasing the production of RNA and DNA which is necessary for the renewal and functioning of cells and provided the recovery of diseased or damaged cells in a short time or their replacement with new cells.

Particles carrying the light energy (photons) enter the tissue and the cells as negative charged ions. This interaction causes the flow of positively charged ion like calcium to the sites that are treated. With the effects of these changes on the nerves carrying the sensation of pain, the pain is significantly reduced.

As a result of the photochemical reactions that the beams form on the tissues and cells, the rise in the temperature of the cell activates the function called phagocytosis, which detect and destroys the damaged cells. This effect is a step affecting the success rate of the treatment at the beginning stage of the diseases.

Affecting the endorphin and encephalin levels in the brain and reducing the sensation of pain and aches.

Relaxing and relieving the muscles