Clinical Application of PBM
PBM is applicable in any condition concerning reduced cell-regeneration, inflammation and pain. Therefore as a therapist, you can apply the laser creatively to your patients and yourself.
Still, it is important to keep track of the latest science for the application of the laser in different clinical settings. Therefore we stay on top of the latest scientific literature to keep you informed and updated. For example, laser therapy has shown to be effective in osseointegration and bone-graft, as adjunctive therapy for osteoporosis and fractures next to be extremely effective in all musculoskeletal injuries especially concerning overuse injuries in athletes, a promising therapy disrupting biofilms of antibiotics resistant prosthetic joint infections, as a treatment after traumatic brain injury and stroke, highly effective as a non-invasive and not painful treatment of many dermatological conditions like (facial) acne, able to improve the quality of gut-microbiome enhancing the growth of more SCFA’s-producing bacteria, able to reduce the need of medical intervention in inflammatory thyroid conditions, pain and inflammation reduction in rheumatoid arthritis, and, importantly, improving lung-recovery in COVID-19 patients.
The applications listed here are studied extensively already.
Orthopaedic
PBM has shown to be a highly effective treatment for musculoskeletal injuries. Laser therapy activates bone-, muscle- and tendon regeneration by enhancing stem cell proliferation and it reduces inflammation and pain. The latter two being the main factors in the loss of functionality of the musculoskeletal system. Short term regaining functionally after for example a hip replacement surgery, an athletic overuse injury or trauma or a painful trigger finger is essential to full-recovery. Laser therapy is the key to the success of a fast and flawless recovery process. In most orthopaedic conditions the target tissue at the injury site is situated deeper within the body, therefore High Power Laser Therapy is inevitable for ensuring optimal dosage at the target tissue. Another result of the use of high power laser is the decrease in treatment time, which makes the application feasible, convenient and effective.
Due to its efficiency, effectivity and non-invasiveness, it can generate a big reduction in patient suffering and health cost in the orthopaedic medical field. Especially because musculoskeletal injuries are responsible for enormous loss in Qaly’s bringing high costs with it.
A list studied musculoskeletal conditions:
- Muscle injury and trauma
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Trigger finger
- Joint prosthesis
- Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid arthritis/arthrosis.
- Meniscal lesions
- Tendinopathy: tendinitis, tendinosis and after tendon rupture reconstruction.
- Bursitis
- Osseointegration and bone-graft
- Fractures, mal- and nonunion and osteomyelitis.
Neurology
Transcranial PBM is a highly effective approach to many different brain disorders that may be classified as sudden onset (stroke, TBI, global ischemia), neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia), or psychiatric (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder). PBM reduces inflammation of the brain, the production of ROS, brain-cell apoptosis and brain swelling, while enhancing neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, blood flow and cerebral oxygenation and lymphatic drainage.
Next to brain cells, peripheral nerves are sensitive to PBM as well. Laser Therapy is FDA approved for the treatment of polyneuropathy and is seen as highly effective in painful diabetic polyneuropathy. Studies have indicated that Later Therapy has the potential to improve the symptoms in patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and prevent permanent nerve damage after an exacerbation of the disease.
Dermatology
The first surface the laser beam encounters is the skin. Therefore PBM is emerging as a valuable adjunctive treatment modality in dermatology. By activating stem-cell proliferation PBM accelerates wound healing and as such is a great treatment for conditions concerning tissue repair like: cutaneous wounds, erosive mucositis in oncology, leg ulcers, burns and radiodermatitis.
PBM is widely used to accelerate and improve healing and reduce inflammation after aggressive aesthetic treatments such as skin resurfacing, vascular and benign pigmented lesions and chemical peels. PBM is also applied as a perfect post-aesthetic surgery treatment to ensure beautiful healing of surgical incisions and preventing and treating hypertrophic scarring. Laser Therapy is an effective treatment in dyspigmentation and hyperpigmentation as well; in the case of the latter melanin synthesis is inhibited with IR light. Other dermatological applications of PBM are skin rejuvenation, the treatment of alopecia, cellulite and other skin diseases. As this scientific field is expanding the discovery of new applications for PBM emerge and as a therapist, it is key to keep up with all the newly available knowledge.
