Joint publication in Laser Partner and Laser World 
(www.laser.nu/lllt/lllt_editorial.htm)

Dr. V. Volkov, Dr. T. Volkov - Private Clinics for Low Energy Laser Therapy, Wellington, New Zealand

e-mail: v-volkov@paradise.net.nz

 

Introduction

Laser acupuncture is a well-known treatment alternative to traditional acupuncture. The practice of laser acupuncture is non-invasive and painless, which is an advantage of this modality. Although Biological Active Points (BAP´s) - selection of acupuncture points - are included in most existing laser protocols, there is not much evidence in the literature about how BAP´s respond to Low Energy Laser beams.

 

Review and Theory

According to traditional acupuncture, the body has a network of meridians. The meridians are energy channels (20 - 50 millimicrons in diameter) which exist beneath the surface of the skin. They have thin membrane walls and are filled with a transparent, colourless fluid (1). BAP´s are located on those meridians.

The meridians are proven pathways for bio-electricity. The measurement of skin electroconductivity in the meridians identifies any inbalance of energy (either insufficiency or excess) and their presence enables the practitioner to study the responses of BAP´s to Low Energy Laser Treatment.

 

Subjects and Methods

This study involved 169 patients undergoing Low Energy Laser Therapy for musculoskeletal problems in two independent clinics for Low Energy Laser Therapy (at Petone - Lower Hutt and Courtenay Place - Wellington, New Zealand). The age of subjects ranged from 10 - 55 years. 

Skin Electro-Conductivity (SEC) was measured by the Ryodoraku diagnostic method of electro-acupuncture, based on 24 acupuncture points, developed by Y. Nakatani (1950), and modified with SEC standard diagrams (used as measures for sex, seasons of the year and mestruation cycles) (2) by A. T. Neborskii in 1986.

The laser used was a GaAlAs diode 830 nm (maximum output 40 mW) "MAESTRO". 

The method of acupuncture (harmonisation, stimulation, and dispersion) was selected according to each individual´s SEC results.

In an excess syndrome (SEC 70 - 100 microampermetres) the dispersion method was used on BAP´s with high frequency BAHR V, 5 J/cm².

In order to stimulate BAP´s in cases of insufficient energy syndrome (SEC 10 - 15 microampermetres) BAP´s were irradiated with BAHR I at low frequency 0.5 - 1.0 J/cm², in accordance with the recommendations of the MediCom Manual for Low Energy Laser application (3).

 

Results

Analysis of the SEC in BAP´s 15 - 20 minutes after laser acupuncture showed significant clinical improvements. The BAP´s with insufficiency syndrome rose with SEC by 35 - 40 microampermetres, from 10 - 15 microampermetres after laser acupuncture. 

 

Figure 1:    Syndrome insufficiency SEC before laser acupuncture

 

Figure 2:    Syndrome insufficiency SEC after laser acupuncture

 

In the instances of excess syndromes, SEC in BAP´s improved by 20 - 30 microampermetres, from original 70 - 100 to 50 - 70 microampermetres after the treatment.

Patients also experienced immediate improvement in their feeling of wellbeing at that time. They reported feeling "happy", "clear on the top", "ballanced", "light is brighter", and "clear in the head".

 

Discussion and Conclusion

1.    Laser device "MAESTRO" GaAlAs 830 nm can be successfully used for laser acupuncture.

2.    Biological Active Points (BAP´s) respond immediately to Low Energy Laser and this effect lasts at least one week.

3.    Careful recording of attempts to measure the response of BAP´s to Low Energy Laser may be useful for developers of laser devices to address the known tissue resistance to laser treatment and for the selection of the most effective laser dose.

4.    The results of this present study suggest that it is desirable to compare how fast BAP´s respond to classical needle acupuncture in contrast to laser acupuncture.

 

References

1.    Dr. Stephen Thomas Chang, "The Complete Book of Acupuncture", Celestial Arts, Millbrae, California, 1976, p. 21.

2.    A. T. Neborskii, H. Kondratavichius, "AGNIS BAT 02", Manual, Vilnius, 1995.

3.     MAESTRO, User´s Manual, MediCom, Praha, Czech Republic, 2000.