Clinical use of low level laser therapy

(d) Equine and human periostitis

During the acute (hot, painful) stage, 8 equine cases of splint, spavin or bucked shins were treated 2-4 times every 1-2 days by local LLLT (20 seconds on a few positions on and around the lesion and on AP + Ting points for the area). All cases became painless in 2-9 days.

LLLT was used in 3 chronic but painful human cases (1 shin splint; 2 cases of lateral humeral epicondylitis, or "tennis elbow"). All became painless in 1-10 days. One patient (a human with a painful shin-splint) ran in a cross country race 3 days after the first (and only) session. He ran a good race, finishing in the top third of the field.

(e) Skin lesions

Many types of skin lesions were treated by IR LLLT (without AP needles). In all, about 19 cases were treated, mainly human lesions: (abrasions, knife cuts, minor burns, wounds, chronic head ulcer; pruritic lesions (chicken-pox), facial herpes, retro- and para-scrotalwet eczema; interdigital fungal infection (athlete's foot), acne). A few equine lesions were treated also (granulation wound; cracked heels).

In addition, 2 surgical suture lines were treated: one purulent area following rumen fistulation in a bullock and one swollen painful incision line following reposition of a dislocated shoulder and a compound fracture of the clavicle in a man).

Acute cases were treated every day and chronic cases every 3-7 days. LLLT was applied locally for 30-60 seconds, on and around the lesion. It was applied occasionally to AP points or Ting points for the region also.

Clinical results in acute cases in humans were dramatic, with relief of pain or pruritus and marked anti-inflammatory effect within 1-3 days and excellent healing within 7-14 days. In wet eczema of the retro- and para-scrotal eczema, 1 session of LLLT + application of 5% copper sulphate solution gave cure in 2 days.

In chronic cases, with granulation and purulent infection, healing was slower but was markedly enhanced: purulent discharge was gone within days and healing (by second intention) was complete within 3 weeks. LLLT was excellent in acne (2 cases): the lesions cleared within 2 weeks (6 sessions).

(f) Miscellaneous human conditions

LLLT only

IR LLLT was used at TPs, local AP points and AP points for the region. Conditions which were treated included joint sprain (shoulder, wrist, fingers, thumb, knee, ankle), headache, acute and chronic sinusitis, purulent gingivitis, earache, painful haemorrhoids, minor abdominal pain, hay-fever, bronchitis and gastroenteritis.

LLLT (1-2 sessions in 1-2 days) gave excellent results in joint sprain.

LLLT (1-5 sessions in 1-10 days) gave excellent results in headache, sinusitis, gingivitis, earache, haemorrhoids and minor abdominal pain. Results in hay-fever, bronchitis and gastroenteritis were positive but less satisfactory.

LLLT + AP

A 32-year old woman presented with a history of chronic mid-cycle abdominal and back pain due to a medically-diagnosed cyst on the left ovary. She had been offered surgery but refused it. She had been attending another acupuncturist who had given her considerable relief withAP in 3 previous cycles. Her therapist was on holiday and the pain had recurred. Other symptoms were abdominal cramps, sensation of bloating, headaches, depression, paraesthesia of the left leg. She attributed some of the symptoms to hypoglycaemia and food allergy.

Manual AP was applied (10 minutes) to BL23 and SP06 bilaterally. LLLT was applied for 10 seconds each to BL22,23,24,25; SP06; ST25,36; LI04,11 bilaterally and to GV03,04,14;CV03,06,12 and Earpoints SP, KI, Uterus, Ovary, Internal Secretion. She was told to use thumbnail pressure on the earpoints and to massage SP06 daily.

Outcome: The woman did not return for session 2. Some months later, she reported that the effect of session 1 was "miraculous" and that she was well since then. Years later, she reported that the problem had not recurred.

(g) Haematoma

One case of penile haematoma in a stallion was treated with IR LLLT, applied locally and atAP points for the penis (GV03; BL30,31,32,33,34; SP06). The results were excellent and the stallion was back in service within 1 week.