Low-Intensity Laser Therapy

LILT, What is it?

Find Out Exactly What Is LILT.

LILT is the abbreviation for low-intensity laser therapy or low level laser light therapy. LILT or low-intensity laser therapy is sometimes called cold laser therapy. It is called low-intensity laser therapy because most laser use associated with medicine is to cut or burn tissue. LILT operates under and entirely different principal. LILT uses the concentrated light from a laser to stimulate healing instead of cutting or burning. LILT laser therapy avoids damaging tissues by producing a laser beam under power that is too low to elevate the temperature of the tissues treated by high enough to deliver photons of light below the surface of the skin.

80 Year-old Male

Initial: Cyanosis - marked, Induration - severe, No peripheral arterial pulse palpable Poor venous filling 6cm mid-calf diameter increase compared to left.	Interim: After 4 Treatments.	Final: After 10 treatments Cyanosis and induration gone. Good venous filling Mid-calf diameter same as left.

LILT laser therapy as a concept for use in healing was first discovered by European Scientist Endre Mester. Dr. Mester was involved in research designed to prove that lasers caused cancer. To prove his point he shaved a group of mice, divided the group in two and applied LILT laser therapy to one group and regular light to the other. Neither group exhibited cancer symptoms. The interesting part was that the hair grew back much faster in the group treated with LILT than the group not treated with LILT. From that day forward, research has been conducted to determine how Mester’s discovery could be used in healing.

Diabetes Mellitus

Initial: Photos (top to bottom) demonstrating dermal ulcers of diabetic extremity.	Interim: Five days after initiating treatment, 4 ulcers on forefoot healing rapidly.	Final: Colour normal, improved circulation, all ulcers (initialy8) except 1 on anterior tibia and heel, resolved. Weight bearing comfortably.

LILT—There are Many Different Devices, Are they all the Same?

Since Dr. Mester’s discovery and the subsequent evidence that low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) is a useful treatment for certain kinds of injuries and painful conditions. There has been a great deal of research and experimentation regarding which device, wavelength or power is most effective. In considering LILT (low-intensity laser therapy) it is most important to understand the wavelength of the device you are being treated with. LILT wavelength treatments can be anywhere from 500nm to 1,000nm. Research has shown the most effect LILT wavelength to be in the range of 800nm to 870nm with the specific LILT wavelength 830nm being best. The 830nm wavelength delivered at 30 mW of power is capable of penetrating up to two inches beneath the skin surface. See diagram below.

The low intensity laser (LILT) sends photons (light) into the injured tissues and can penetrate two to three inches to treat affected areas. It uses a natural enhancement of the cellular machinery that can and has been dynamically measured in published studies to promote healing without burning affected tissue. Once the photons find the injured tissues, they stimulate and energize the cells to repair and strengthen at a remarkable rate. The treatment does not hurt, takes about 30 minutes and is very cost advantageous. The therapy is so effective that professional sports franchises and practioners alike that treat chronic injuries are using low intensity lasers with vast improvement of conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, back pain, neck pain, excessive adhesions and scar tissue formation, peyronie’s disease, multiple sclerosis, joint sprains, tendon strains, epicondylitis and bursitis.

Dr. Petraglia performing a laser treatment.