An Introduction to Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT)

Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) employs the use of LED, Class 3b, and Class 4 Therapeutic Lasers using wavelengths 600-1,000nm, to heal a wide range of health conditions within medical and healthcare practices. Also known as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), PBMT has gained wide appeal for the treatment of pain, inflammation, tissue repair, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon and ligament damage, arthritic pain relief, and fibromyalgia. Osteopaths, physiotherapists, podiatrists, and chiropractors integrate the use of PBMT into their existing musculoskeletal practice. PBMT is also widely used by the aesthetics industry, with many skin specialists embracing the natural healing effects of PBMT to increase the production of collagen, without creating a thermal or ablative reaction in the skin. Solasta offers a comprehensive range of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for health conditions and skin aesthetics.

On a broader scale, Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) produces positive results for the treatment of additional health conditions, with clinical research supporting the efficacy of Laser Therapy for post-chemotherapy recovery (OM), fertility, hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s Disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and stroke recovery. Educational outreach is essential as many health professionals remain unaware of the benefits of PBMT. Similarly, the general public may recognize ‘laser therapy’ broadly but might not understand that Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a specific type of Laser Therapy, distinct from high-power medical lasers used for surgical procedures or in aesthetics for hair removal and skin resurfacing.

Does PBMT Work and What Does It Do?

One of the most frequently asked questions about Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) includes “Does Cold Laser Therapy actually work?” and “What does Cold Laser Therapy do?”. It's notable that even within the medical community, there's more familiarity with Surgical Class 4 Lasers than with Medical Class 3b and Class 4 Therapeutic Lasers. Here's a brief summary of how PBMT functions:

At Solasta, we utilize the therapeutic application of laser light at low intensity. PBM is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes a light source generating both coherent (Laser) and non-coherent (LED) light wavelengths effective through photochemical reactions in cells, rather than through thermal effects. These wavelengths, specifically in the red (visible) and near-infrared (invisible) spectrum, penetrate deeply—clinical results indicate up to 10 cm—enabling Lasers to stimulate cellular repair and pain relief throughout the body. Both coherent and non-coherent light with identical wavelength, intensity, and dose provide similar biological responses.

The optimal LLLT setups combine both Laser and LED in the IR and NIR wavelength range to reduce pain and inflammation through bio-stimulation and photo-stimulation, enhance endogenous opiate production, slow sensory nerve production, restore cellular resonant energy, stimulate the Na/K pump in the cell membrane, and inhibit bradykinin and leukotriene production. PBMT prompts the re-polarization of damaged cellular membranes, facilitating the transfer of essential nutrients from the blood into the cells. The therapeutic effects occur as laser photons are absorbed and converted into cellular energy within the mitochondria, significantly increasing cellular ATP, with some studies showing increases of up to 150%.

Regarding efficacy, it largely depends on the precise dosage of light administered, which is calculated by irradiance and duration. The foundational research for dose response in LLLT is highlighted in the Biphasic Dose Response in Low Level Light Therapy study (Huang, Chen, Carroll, and Hamblin, 2009, University of Massachusetts). Solasta continuously integrates the latest clinical research to refine our treatment protocols, ensuring each patient receives the most effective therapeutic outcomes.

Contraindications and Special Considerations in PBMT

Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) shows few contraindications, yet standard medical advice recommends avoiding direct exposure over cancerous lesions or during pregnancy. Eye safety is paramount, thus treatments are conducted with protective eyewear to prevent direct retinal exposure. This consideration extends to innovative uses of PBM for conditions like Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), where treatment targets peripheral areas near the eyes but never directly into them.

A common misconception is that PBMT is unsuitable for individuals with epilepsy; however, with proper eye protection, PBMT is perfectly safe as it does not induce photic stimulation that could trigger seizures.

Moreover, it's advised to avoid applying laser probes directly over the thyroid gland, aligning with standard precautions for all electronic devices. Nonetheless, Solasta has successfully managed cases of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease with PBMT, supported by research from Sao Paolo University in 2018, illustrating significant symptom improvement through targeted light therapy.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Clinical Insights and Research

Solasta remains at the forefront of PBMT application, with numerous case studies demonstrating its effectiveness across various conditions—from enhancing fertility and alleviating costochondritis to treating chronic conditions like Hashimoto’s Disease and common ailments such as tennis elbow and scar tissue management.

Recent years have seen significant advancements in PBMT research, notably in managing musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain. A randomised controlled trial at the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran showed that a significant number of patients reported a decrease in lower back pain over 3 months, affirming the effectiveness of PBMT for non-surgery patients.

Additionally, a trial conducted in the Middle East, in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, focused on the relief of lower back pain compared High Intensity and Low Level Laser Therapy in treating chronic non-specific low back pain. The study concluded that both LLLT and HILT are effective in reducing pain and disability and improving lumbar range of motion and quality of life. Read the full report here.

The global health challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the potential of PBMT in respiratory care. A report focused on the use of Cold Laser to reduce the use of ventilators for COVID-19 patients has been supported by the first clinical trial with positive results. Read the full report here.

Furthermore, a long-term clinical trial on the efficacy of PBMT to treat COVID-19 is underway, with results expected in March 2022. Read more about the trial here.

Another significant piece of research involved a series of randomised placebo-controlled trials into the efficacy of PBMT for treating Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), published in November 2020. The results conclusively demonstrated that Cold Laser reduces pain and disability. Read the full report here.

This extensive body of research contributes to a robust understanding of PBMT’s therapeutic potential, affirming its role as a critical component of modern integrative medical practice.