Principles of

Low- Level Laser Therapy

(LLLT)
By:
Rafid A. Abdullah
Biophysics department-Science college
University of Mosul
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Contains
- Introduction
- Laser output parameters and relations
- Properties of low level lasers
- Laser-tissue interaction
- Definition of LLLT and mechanism
- Pain relief by LLLT
- Other applications of LLLT
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Introduction
• The word of LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by
Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
• Laser has unique characteristics of monochromaticity, directionality and
coherence.
• Soon after the discovery of laser in the 1960, it was realized that laser
therapy had the potential to improve wound healing and reduce pain,
inflammation and swelling.
• Hungarian physician and surgeon Endre Mester (1903-1984) is credited
with the discovery of the biological effects of low power lasers (LLL).
By the 1970s he was applying LLL to treat people with skin ulcers.
• Over the past 4 ducts, the term “LLLT” has become widely recognized.
• Important laser parameters related to LLLT should be understood and
dealt well. 3
Laser output parameters and relations
Output parameters:
The output/irradiation of laser, that is useful for LLLT, is defined by the
following items:
Quantity Symbol Unit
Power P mW (or W)
Intensity I
(also called power density or irradiance or fluence rate)
Energy E mJ (or J)
Fluence F
(also called energy density/intensity or dose) 4
Relations:
Suppose the time of exposure is t, the laser spot area on the interested
sample is A, the following relations among the laser output parameters
are important to be known when you are dealing with LLLT:
Laser device

•E = I t
•F = E /A Laser beam Sample

•P = I A

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 Properties of low level lasers
Each condition for LLLT has its laser properties, according to Posten et al.
the following properties are responsible for cell stimulation, proliferation,
and improved wound healing.
• Power output of lasers being 0.001- 0.1 Watts.
• Wavelength in the range of 300-10,600 nm.
• Pulse rate from 0, meaning continuous to 5000 Hertz (cycles per second).
• Intensity of 0.01-10 and dose of 0.01 to 100

Notice: Light (laser) with a wavelength in the red to near infrared region of the
spectrum (630 nm–900 nm), is generally employed in LLLT because these
wavelengths have the ability to penetrate skin, and soft/hard tissues.
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 Laser-tissue interaction
Using laser for LLLT means that laser interacts with tissue, when a laser
beam is an incident on a tissue, four basic physical phenomena can occur as:
1. Reflection: laser beam reflects at the surface of the tissue.
2. Transmission: laser beam transmits through the tissue.
3. Scattering: the incident laser scatters inside the tissue.
4. Absorption: the incident laser absorbs by the tissue.
Laser can be absorbed by tissue is always wanted for laser applications in
medicine including LLLT.

Therefore, it can be concluded that there are specific laser wavelengths,

which can be used for LLLT for each type of tissue.
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 Definition of LLLT and mechanism
• Low level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as low intensity or low
power laser therapy, is considered to work through a photochemical
reaction (response) to light (laser) that induces biochemical alterations
in cells, leading to physiological changes through non-thermal means.

• Photochemical reaction is a chemical reaction initiated by the

absorption of energy in the form of light (laser).

• LLLT and photobiomodulation are mainly focused on the activation of

intracellular or extracellular photoabsorbable molecule (chromophore)
and the initiation of cellular signaling using LLL.
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 Pain relief by LLLT
• Pain is the most common reason for physician consultation in the world.
• Reducing pain is the main goal of LLLT.
• There are three different types of pain; nociceptive, neuropathic and
central.
• Clinically, LLLT can treat nociceptive and neuropathic pain, while central
pain has not yet been proven to be responsive to LLLT.
• LLLT in the treatment of pain includes:
Post-surgical pain, muscular back pain, cervical or lumbar radiculopathy
tendinitis, osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, neck and back pain, and dental
conditions producing pain, … etc. 10
Other applications of LLLT
The following is some applications of LLLT:
• Collagen synthesis and skin rejuvenation
• Acne treatment
• Accelerating of wound and nerves healing
• Prevents tissue death
• Cell proliferation
• Local blood circulation,
• Suppression of inflammation
• Bone growth and repair
• Hair growth/regrowth
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Thanks

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