----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil Harrington" <spineguy99@...>
To: <Therapeutic-Laser_Therapy@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 11:06 AM
Subject: [Therapeutic-Laser_Therapy] Re: infrared vs. red light lasers, and
other puzzling issues


>I am not sure about the comment, "infrared lasers (which heat the
> tissue and therefore don't seem to have therapeutic effects)".... I've
> been using a 980nm, 7500 mW continuous output laser for over a year. I
> am a chiropractor, and have observed numerous therpaeutic benefits
> from this infrared laser.
>
> I conducted a small "study" in my office - I took ten people with
> chronic knee pain, gave half of them treatment with this laser and the
> other half treatment with an ordinary heat lamp. The visual analog
> scales of the laser group showed significant improvement to the heat
> lamp group. They received six, seven-minute treatments - over 3000
> Joules - over a two-week period. Granted - this is by no means a
> definitive scientific study - but it did demonstrate to me and my
> patients that infrared laser is beneficial.
>
> We are also batting 1.000 with plantar fascitis. Treatment time is 5
> minutes over the entire base of the foot, usually 4 treatments in 10
> days takes care of it.
>
> Dr. Phil


To set the record straight: the person who first informed me about infrared
lasers, later sent me a private email explaining that there apparently was a
miscommunication between us -- that infrared does appear to help, but in his
opinion coherent visible light has more therapeutic effects.

Thanks for telling us about your clinical experience. I'm curious...do you
have experience with bunions? A client of mine has two quite painful ones,
and I'm wondering the best way to use a 635 nm laser.

Best,
Nenah