Abstract
Low-power laser have been widely used in clinics, and successful application has been reported for pain control. However, due to complication of the precise mechanism and to paucity of the basic research, the clinical effectiveness of the low-power laser is yet to be evaluated. We have formed that the low-power laser has significant therapeutic effects for the patients with neurological diseases. The therapeutic effect is considered to be due to our efforts to improve the laser handpiece and the method of irradiation.
The low-power laser is defined as not to cause irreversible damage to the irradiated fields and their surrounding tissues. We used an intensity between 300 and 500mW, which is 10 times higher than the output-power of conventional equipments. The reason is that we have expected thermal effect in addition to the electromagnetic effect. This is a preliminary report on the use of Ga-Al- As diode laser (wave length: 810nm, peak power: 1000mW) for the treatment of neurological diseases; such as, facial palsy and lower lip paralysis.
The low-power laser was irradiated to the stellate ganglion with the direct contact method. Irradiation to the TSUBO (acupuncture points) is also performed according to the patients' symptoms. The irradiation time was 10-20 minutes for one time and it was repeated 1 time-2 times a week.
Here we report on the effect of low power diode laser to a case of lower lip paralysis. The effect was objectively evaluated by examining the cold vasodilatation.
