Painless Laser Needle Acupuncture
The first “laser needles” were invented at the University of Paderborn in Germany, making them available to practitioners.
How does it work?
The laser light penetrates the three main layers of the skin: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers. Along its path, the laser deposits photons into the cells. Nerve stimulation is pretty immediate. Within a short time, micro-circulation is improved, thus bringing increased oxygen and blood flow to the area stimulated by the laser. In addition, in 1991, a study in Russia showed that the laser light traveled through the acupuncture meridian pathways and penetrated more deeply in acupuncture than non-acupuncture points. This resembles a fiber optic network. Brain imaging also resembles needle acupuncture when doing brain imaging.
What does it treat?
The laser light also seems to block pain enzymes and activate the synthesis of endorphin enzymes. Research has also shown that laser light can regenerate cells, decrease pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and even stimulate hair growth, to name just a few. Further studies have also shown that laser acupuncture can be beneficial for treating pain, post-operative nausea, weight loss, bedwetting, hiccups, dry eyes, stroke-related paralysis, carpal tunnel, and even anesthesia.
This is Not your laser pointer.
We use 5mW class 3A lasers. A 635nm red laser is the wavelength the body’s cells produce to treat most of our acupuncture points, and a 532 green laser to treat soft tissue injuries. Laser pointers are generally in the 650nm range and are not shown to have a therapeutic effect.
Research demonstrates that a wavelength of 635 nm (1 nanometer is 1/billionth of a meter) is the frequency of a healthy cell and is optimal for healing and most beneficial for stimulating acupuncture points. Red (635nm) is one of the most common wavelengths used by acupuncturists to provide an effective, safe alternative to needles for patients with certain sensitivities or fear. And because it is completely painless, it offers a way to treat individuals who would otherwise never receive the benefits of acupuncture.
The red laser model’s wavelength is the same wavelength of a healthy cell. It’s commonly used to increase ATP production in the cell and gently stimulate acupuncture points and increase circulation
We have recently been using more and more lasers with good effect here in our clinic.
Publications of Laser Therapy
( Cited from Boston University Laser Therapy for detailes, https://www.bu.edu/naeser/acupuncture/publications.html)
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) and Laser Therapies
Naeser MA, Hamblin MR. 2011. Potential for transcranial laser or LED therapy to treat stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative disease. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery 29, 443-446. PubMed
Naeser MA, Saltmarche A, Krengel MH, Hamblin MR, Knight JA. 2011. Improved cognitive function after transcranial, light-emitting diode treatments in chronic, traumatic brain injury: two case reports. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery 29, 351-358. PubMed
Hashmi JT, Huang YY, Osmani BZ, Sharma SK, Naeser MA, Hamblin MR. 2010. Role of low-level laser therapy in neurorehabilitation. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Suppl. 2, S292-S305. PubMed
Papers published on acupuncture or laser acupuncture to treat paralysis in stroke
Naeser MA, Alexander MP, Stiassny-Eder D, Galler V, Hobbs J, Bachman D. 1992. Real versus sham acupuncture in the treatment of paralysis in acute stroke patients: a CT lesion site study. Journal of Neurologic Rehabilitation 6, 163-173. pdf
Naeser MA, Alexander MP, Stiassny-Eder D, Galler V, Hobbs J, Bachman D. 1994. Acupuncture in the treatment of paralysis in chronic and acute stroke patients - improvement correlated with specific CT scan lesion sites. Acupuncture & Electro-Theraputics Research, Int. J. 19, 227-249. pdf
Naeser MA, Alexander MP, Stiassny-Eder D, Lannin LN, Bachman D. 1994. Acupuncture in the treatment of hand paresis in chronic and acute stroke patients - improvement observed in all cases. Clincal Rehabilitation 8, 127-141. pdf
Naeser MA, Alexander MP, Stiassny-Eder D, Galler V, Hobbs J, Bachman D, Lannin LN. 1995. Laser acupuncture in the treatment of paralysis in stroke patients: a CT scan lesion site study. American Journal of Acupuncture 23, 13-28. pdf
Laser acupuncture and microamps TENS to treat pain in carpal tunnel syndrome
Branco K, Naeser MA. 1999. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical outcome after low-level laser acupuncture, microamps transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and other alternative therapies - an open protocol study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 5, 5-26. pdf
Naeser MA, Hahn KK, Lieberman BE, Branco KF. 2002. Carpal tunnel syndrome pain treated with low-level laser and microamperes transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation: a controlled study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 83, 978-88. pdf
Naeser MA. 2006. Photobiomodulation of pain in carpal tunnel syndrome: review of seven laser therapy studies. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery 24, 101-110. pdf
Invited Reports
Naeser MA. (1994) 1996. Acupuncture in the treatment of paralysis due to central nervous system damage. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2, 211-248. This article is a written Presentation for Workshop on Acupuncture, Sponsored by the NIH, Office of Alternative Medicine, April 21-23, 1994, Workshop regarding FDA Labelling of Acupuncture Needles. pdf
List of topics reviewed:paralysis in stroke
paralysis in head injury
multiple sclerosis
pseudobulbar palsy
cerebral palsy in babies and children
spinal cord injury
peripheral facial paralysis (Bell's palsy)
coma
Naeser MA. 1997. Neurological rehabilitation: acupuncture and laser acupuncture to treat paralysis in stroke and other paralytic conditions and pain in carpal tunnel syndrome. National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture, sponsored by the Office of Alternative Medicine and the Office of Medical Applications of Research, Bethesda, MD. Nov 3-5, 1997, pp. 93-109. pdf
List of topics reviewed:paralysis in stroke
cerebral palsy
spinal cord injury
peripheral facial paralysis (Bell's palsy)
pain in carpal tunnel syndrome
Books published
Naeser MA, Wei XB: Laser Acupuncture - An Introductory Textbook for Treatment of Pain, Paralysis, Spasticity and Other Disorders. Clinical and Research Uses of Laser Acupuncture from Around the World. Boston: Boston Chinese Medicine. 1994. Book available through Amazon.com
Naeser MA: Outline Guide to Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines in Pill Form - with Sample Pictures of the Boxes. An Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicines. Boston: Boston Chinese Medicine. 1989. Book available through Amazon.com
