BIOFLEX LOW INTENSITY LASER

LASER heals at the cellular level. " It's like shining a ray of sunlight directly on injured cells inside the body and stimulating the cells to return to normal function." Dr. Leonard Rudnick, Laser Therapy

Bioflex laser being used to promote healing on the heel of the foot (Plantar fasciitis)

Frequently Asked Questions About Low Intensity Laser Therapy

1) What is a Laser?

The word laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser beam is an intense light source with specific characteristics. These include:

• Monochromaticity : In laser light, all electromagnetic waves have the same wavelength and therefore, the same colour.
• Coherence : All the photons in laser light oscillate in the same phase.
• Directionality : Laser light is highly directional.
• Intensity : Because its radiation is coherently concentrated on one spot, laser light is very powerful. This factor gives it tremendous accuracy, making it highly valued in medical applications.

2) What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy is the use of monochromatic light emission from a low intensity laser diode (250 milliwatts or less) or an array of high intensity Super Luminous Diodes (providing total optical power in the 1000-2000 milliwatt range) to treat musculoskeletal injuries, chronic and degenerative conditions and to heal wounds. The light source is placed in contact with the skin allowing the photon energy to penetrate tissue, where it interacts with various intracellular biomolecules resulting in the restoration of normal cell function and enhancement of the body's healing processes.

View Quicktime Movies of Laser Applications > Quicktime 1 ( 6.4 MB) & Quicktime 2 - Requires Quicktime player.

Click on logo to download Quicktime player if you don't already have it.

3) What Is The Difference Between High Power And Low Intensity Laser Therapy?
High power, or thermal, lasers can produce a substantial amount of heat. This destructive potential makes high power laser a key player in industrial applications such as cutting and welding. Because thermal laser combines power and precision, it also has many beneficial uses in modern medicine. In surgical anti-tumor treatments, for example, the heat emitted by high intensity laser beams can be used to selectively destroy tissue. Incisions produced by the laser are antiseptic and hemorrhage is controlled. Unlike the thermal lasers, the low intensity laser beam is "soft power" and does not produce heat. Red and infra-red lasers with power outputs in the range from 10-2000 mW belong in this category.

Low intensity laser energy initiates general stimulation and activation of the metabolism, in turn promoting the occurrence of multiple physiologically beneficial effects in the repair of human cells. It is widely used in the medical and cosmetic fields, principally because it is non-destructive to the target tissue.

4) What Types Of Diodes Are Used?
There are two types of diodes used in laser therapy. 1) Super Luminous Diodes (SLD) are designed for the treatment of a large surface area. These are less powerful than laser diodes and can be safely applied in larger numbers over a wider area. 2) Laser Diodes (LD) have higher power output and narrow beams, making them ideally suitable as "laser probes" for deeper penetration and for targeting localized pathology.

5) What is BioFlex?
BioFlex is a highly sophisticated therapeutic modality that combines the potential benefits of low intensity laser with super luminous diodes for the effective treatment of many medical disorders. Developed and engineered by Meditech International Incorporated, BioFlex represents the most significant technological advancement in laser therapy.

6) What does Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) do?

By affecting and reversing the offending pathology at the cellular level, laser therapy optimizes the restoration of injured tissues to normal function, thereby relieving painful symptoms. The beneficial effects of laser therapy are cumulative over the course of a series of treatments.

Additional information can be found in the Physiological Effects section of our Treatment Section .

Generally people will need anywhere in the range of 5- 20 treatments depending upon the severity, complicating factors, and duration of the condition.

Remember this will vary from patient to patient. Just as every medical case is individual, so are the responses to therapy. The onset of initial pain relief as a result of treatment varies due to each patient's particular rated release of endorphins and cortisol. In a recent clinical report on 151 consecutive cases using Low Intensity Laser Therapy, 11 treatments was the average number required for maximum improvement. Whether two or twenty treatments are required, most patients need not restrict normal activity during the therapy period, as healing will continue between sessions. Two distinct reactions occur during therapy; the immediate due to the release of the body's own endorphins and cortisone production and the more important or cumulative effect, resulting from progressive therapy.

• No. Laser therapy is not covered by AHC
• Laser therapy is within the scope of chiropractic care, and as such, can be covered under most insurance plans. Check with your provider or ask us for more information.
• Unfortunately, most "alternative" forms of health care do not receive the coverage and acceptance within the mainstream medical world and therefore do not make the referral list. We encourage all of our patients to take our information package to their family doctor or specialist for review and opinions. This is the only way we will get the good word out about LILT.

First, review the list of treatable conditions. However, the best way to know for sure if we can help is to come in for an assessment with our doctor. Once assessed, we will know whether your condition can be helped by LILT and our related services. You can also call or email the clinic at any time to inquire further: 1-403-793-8484; email info@softclinic.ca.

BioFlex is recommended as the treatment of choice for sufferers of musculoskeletal conditions in rehabilitation, physiotherapy and sports medicine. Specifically, it can effectively treat many medical conditions, including acute injuries, degenerative disorders and wound healing. Therapy is beneficial for any age of patient, even the aging patient you do not have to be an athlete for this to be beneficial.

No. Usually our patients improve and are discharged from care returning later for a new or different problem if they come back at all. In very rare cases patients elect to have maintenance care. This generally happens with people who have inherent structural damage i.e. had polio as a child and now has an anatomical leg length difference, or Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers. The other category of patient that does well with a monthly maintenance treatment is, migraine headache sufferers.

11) What is your success rate?

Our success rate is best described in the following manner: 85% of our patients achieve 70-100% permanent relief within 20 visits. This is most true when treatment plans are followed and the patients adhere to schedules.

Unfortunately, nothing is guaranteed.

Treatments are 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the body part being treated and the severity of your condition. Low backs and hips require an hour-long treatment because of the depth of tissue as well as the broad area being treated. Most other areas require a half hour to forty five minute protocols. Please be aware that you should allow extra time for initial paperwork, changing clothes if needed, etc.

13) What are the costs involved?

In accordance with guidelines from the College of Chiropractors of Alberta we are not permitted to publish our fee schedule online for chiropractic treatment, however if you have any questions please call us at 793-8484.

Our fee schedule is in accordance with the College of Chiropractors of Alberta.

The Alberta Health Care year starts July 1, and patients are responsible for all visits or billings not covered by Alberta Health Care.

14) What is the cost of the assessment?

See (13), above.

15) How does BioFlex compare with other conventional treatments?

For many years, rehabilitation therapies -- including ultrasound, interferential current and TENS -- have been used extensively throughout the world to treat pain and stimulate the healing processes. Unlike BioFlex, however, the healing effects of these treatments have been disappointing as they only modulate symptoms. These therapies are limited in effectiveness and in their range of applications (for example ultrasound should not be used over bony prominences, pins, plates and very acute injuries).

In contrast BioFlex is able to influence the pathology directly at the cellular level, resulting in therapeutic benefits that are more profound and generally curative. At best, alternative therapies act as counter-irritants, creating a transient increase in circulation and the release of endorphins, providing only temporary symptomatic relief.

16) Why is BioFlex Considered the most advanced system?

Never before has a laser treatment offered such sophisticated levels of accuracy, control and versatility. The flexible, multi-source diode arrays, exclusive to the BioFlex optical heads (Fig 1), can be contoured to any target tissue for maximum coverage and precision dosage delivery.	Fig. 1. A range of flexible treatment heads for every application.
The BioFlex control unit provides exceptional monitoring and adaptability (Fig. 2), enabling the health professional unlimited flexibility in the adjustment of multiple parameters to safely and accurately treat the specific needs of each individual patient.	Fig. 2. Exceptional control and flexibility of treatment parameters.
PC-based operating software is a standard feature of BioFlex, providing the user with recommended experience-based protocols (Fig. 3) for each application.	Fig. 3. A complete portfolio of experience-based protocols.

Professor G. David Baxter from the University of Ulster states that " it can be seen that the BioFlex treatment units represent a quantum advance in the design of laser therapy units; for this reason they may be truly regarded as fourth generation devices."

17) What are the side effects associated with BioFlex?

Unlike many pharmaceutical options, BioFlex is non toxic; unlike surgical procedures, it is non-traumatic and most important, BioFlex is non-invasive. There is a warming sensation reported by some patients; still others report mild discomfort following treatment, however this is very rare, occurring with less then 5% of our patients.

18) What are the Contraindications and Precautions?

1. Eye Exposure: Class IIIb lasers are potentially harmful to the retina, though accidental retinal damage is unlikely. Direct eye exposure should be avoided. Not used for eye disorders. BioFlex technology can only be enabled when proper skin on skin contact is achieved.
2. Pregnancy: Do not use Low Intensity Laser Therapy over the pregnant uterus. It may be used on the pregnant woman as an adjunct to the other modalities for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Thyroid gland: Laser should not be used over the thyroid gland.
4. Carcinoma/ Malignant Cancer: Do not treat directly over any known primary or secondary lesions. Treatments may be given for pain relief during the terminal stages of the illness - this must be done only with the full consent of both patient and consultant involved.
5. Hemorrhage: It is conceivable that laser/LED mediated vasodilatation may worsen the hemorrhage.
6. Immune Suppressant Drugs: Laser/LED treatment is contra-indicated for patients on these drugs as treatments can affect the immune system.
7. Treatment over Sympathetic ganglia, vagus, and cardiac region in patients with heart disease:
   Laser/LED treatment may significantly alter neural function, and therefore is contra-indicated over these regions of patients with heart disease.
8. Patients may suffer an exacerbation of symptoms after laser therapy in conjunction with a recent steroid injection. For this reason laser should not be used within 2-3 weeks of a recent steroid injection on or near the same site.
9. Some patients are on drugs known to cause photosensitivity reactions. It is unlikely that a combination of laser and drug will trigger this response. We recommend that "at risk" patients or patients with a history of such reactions be "patch tested" for the minimum recommended treatment time.
10. Patients using topical or systemic steroids or N.S.A.I.D's for pain or skin conditions may experience mild "flare up" of their symptoms. If such a reaction occurs, low level laser therapy should be altered or if continues stopped.
11. It is possible that the treatment head pressure may cause slight bruising.
12. Some patients may suffer a slight increase in pain - patients should be warned of this possibility prior to laser therapy. In patients with persisting adverse reactions, laser treatment should be altered.

Note: Pins, metal plates, plastics, and pacemakers ARE NOT contra-indicated.

19) What about the effects of radiation?

Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) does produce radiation, as photon energy, in the visible and near infra-red regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Worldwide research, conducted over the past thirty years indicates that this type of irradiation does not adversely affect normally functioning cells.

Note : Unlike other forms of radiation, i.e. x-ray, etc., this process is beneficial rather than harmful to tissue.

Electromagnetic Spectrum of light

1. http://imagers.gsfc.nasa.gov/ems/waves3.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum
3. http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/emspectrum.html

20) Can Laser Therapy cause cancer?

Low Intensity Laser Therapy is very safe because it generally utilizes wavelengths above 632 nm. Therefore the laser beam is not producing ionizing radiation (which can cause cancer) like X-rays, Gamma rays etc. It is even safer then ordinary sunlight. Sunlight contains ultra violet light, which have wavelengths below 320 nm that can cause cancer.

21) Where is BioFlex in use today?

Across Canada, Europe, South America and Asia, BioFlex is being used by an increasing number of chiropractors, physiotherapists and physicians. In the many years that the therapy has been available, more than 30,000 patients have received successful treatment with BioFlex and its predecessor units. The Toronto Raptors Basketball Club, The Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club, have used BioFlex for their injured players with excellent results.

In addition many athletes from golf, hockey and tennis are enjoying the benefits of the therapy.

A list of testimonials of sports related conditions can be found under the Testimonials in the Treatment Effects section.

Click here to visit the Research section where sports related cases are discussed.

22) Where has clinical research on BioFlex been conducted?

Several controlled studies have been conducted since 1996 using the BioFlex Professional System. Two of these involved experimental models of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and Rheumatoid Arthritis. The results of both studies showed BioFlex producing significant, positive effects on these disorders. A synopsis of these studies is available. Meditech has embarked on an extensive program of Beta Testing of the BioFlex user protocols. In January 1997, two BioFlex Professional Systems were placed in Beta sites, one at the University of Toronto in a teaching hospital and one at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Northern Ireland. Several additional research units were utilized in private clinics. Results from these centres have indicated that the benefits derived were positive and dramatic.

23) Before and After Photos

23) Research on Low Intensity Laser Therapy

• New Research Papers
• http://www.meditech-bioflex.com/laser_reports/index.html
• http://www.meditech-bioflex.com/media/index.html

More research on Low Intensity Laser Therapy:

• http://www.meditech-bioflex.com/
• http://www.erchonia.com/
• http://www.laser.nu
• http://www.thorlaser.com/wound/clinical-research.htm
• http://www.thorlaser.com/wound/physiological-changes.htm
• http://www.thorlaser.com/wound/how-does-it-work.htm
• http://www.thorlaser.com/sports/research.htm
• http://www.thorlaser.com/nerve/index.htm
• http://www.thorlaser.com/nerve/shimon.htm
• http://www.thorlaser.com/nerve/juanita-and-kimberly.htm
• http://www.thorlaser.com/nerve/harry.htm
• http://www.thorlaser.com/LLLT/LLLT-research.htm
• http://www.laser-therapeutics.net/laser_therapy.htm
• http://www.laser-therapeutics.net/articles.htm
• http://www.amerchiro.org/media/whatis/
• http://www.jcca-online.org/
• http://www.naalt.org/
• http://www.walt.nu/