FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Regarding LILT
- What is a laser?
- What is Low Intensity Laser Therapy?
- How long does a treatment take?
- How many treatments are needed?
- How much does one charge for treatment?
- Is the treatment covered by OHIP, Medicare etc?
- What are the side effects associated with BioFlex?
- What about the negative effects of radiation?
- Where is BioFlex in use today?
- Where has clinical research on BioFlex been conducted?
- Thermal versus Low Intensity Laser Therapy
- Defining Diodes
- What is BioFlex?
- What does Low Intensity Laser Therapy do?
- How does BioFlex compare with other conventional treatments?
- Are there any contraindications?
- Are there any clinics using the BioFlex in my area?
What is a laser?
The word laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser emits electron particles known as photons, which exhibit the characteristics described below:
- Monochromaticity: In laser light, all electromagnetic waves have the same wavelength and therefore, the same color.
- Coherence: All the photons in laser light oscillate in the same phase.
- Directionality: Laser emission is highly directional and can be collimated.
- Intensity: The primary advantage of lasers is the high intensity directed at a small area (i.e. the focus of the pathology).
What is Low Intensity Laser Therapy?
Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) is the use of monochromatic light emission from a low intensity laser diode (250 mW or less) or an array of high intensity superluminous diodes (providing total optical power in the 10 to 2000 mW range) to treat musculoskeletal injuries, chronic and degenerative conditions and to heal wounds. The light source is placed in contact with the damaged tissue allowing the photon energy to penetrate to various levels. Interaction with certain intracellular micromolecules occurs resulting in the restoration of normal cell morphology, function and the enhancement of the body’s natural healing processes.
How long does a treatment take?
Treatments are typically 15 minutes to one hour in duration for any particular condition or patient.
How many treatments are needed?
The number of treatments will vary with regard to the individual presenting problem. Just as every medical condition varies, so will the individual response to therapy. In a recent clinical report summarizing over 1000 patients treated with the BioFlex Professional LILT system at time of discharge, patients had averaged slightly less than ten treatments to resolve their condition completely.
How much does one charge for treatment?
Fee for treatment is established by individual clinics and varies from $35 to $60 for 30 minutes of treatment, depending on the clinic. At Meditech we charge $40 for a half hour treatment.
Is the treatment covered by OHIP, Medicare etc?
Insurance coverage varies depending on the professional designation and/ or qualifications of the therapist and the insurance plan.
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, it is non-invasive.
What about the negative effects of radiation?
Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) produces 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 normally functioning cells are not adversely affected by this type of irradiation. Unlike other forms of radiation, i.e. x-ray, etc., this process is beneficial rather than harmful to tissue.
Where is BioFlex in use today?
Across Canada, the United States, Europe, South America and Asia, BioFlex is being used by an increasing number of physicians, chiropractors and physiotherapists. In the twelve years that the therapy has been available at Meditech, more than 100,000 patients have received successful treatment with the BioFlex and its predecessor systems.
The technology is currently being utilized in thirty countries. The Toronto Raptors and The Miami Heat of the NBA, The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Blue Jays, have also used BioFlex for their injured players with excellent results. In addition, many athletes from the world of golf, hockey, tennis and increasingly ballerinas, figure skaters, gymnasts and other performers in artistic sports are experiencing the positive effects of this therapy.
Where has clinical research on BioFlex been conducted?
Ongoing clinical research of various disease entities is conducted onsite at Meditech’s two rehabilitation centres. Several controlled studies have been performed since 1996 using the BioFlex Professional System; two of these involved experimental models of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and Rheumatoid Arthritis. The outcomes of both studies showed BioFlex producing significant and positive results. A synopsis of these studies is available on our website.
Meditech has also 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. Additional research is being conducted in private clinics. Results from all centres have indicated that the benefits derived from the BioFlex Systems are both positive and dramatic.
Thermal versus 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 component in industrial applications such as cutting and welding. Thermal laser combines power and precision and therefore has many beneficial uses in surgical and ablative procedures.
Unlike thermal lasers, the low intensity laser beam is ‘soft power’, athermal and can stimulate cellular regeneration and natural healing. Red and infra-red lasers with power outputs in the range of 10 to 250 mW belong in this category, in addition to superluminous diodes up to the 2000mW level.
Low intensity laser energy stimulates cellular function at many levels including metabolism; in essence it promotes the initiation of multiple physiological and beneficial effects in the repair and function of human cells. LILT is widely used in the medical and cosmetic fields, principally because it is non-destructive to the target tissue, while positively affecting many functions such as collagen formation, cellular metabolism, angiogenesis, lymphatic flow, etc.
Defining Diodes
There are two types of diodes used in low intensity laser therapy:
1) Superluminous Diodes (SLD) are designed for the treatment of a large surface area. Less powerful than laser diodes, these diodes are however applied safely in larger numbers over a wide area. These include red and near infrared diodes.
2) Laser Diodes (LD) have higher power output and narrow beams, making them ideal ‘laser probes’ for deeper penetration and for targeting localized, focal pathologies. Again, this includes both red and near infrared diodes.
What is BioFlex?
BioFlex is a highly sophisticated therapeutic device that combines the potential benefits of low intensity laser with superluminous diodes for the effective treatment of many medical disorders. Developed and engineered by Meditech International Incorporated, BioFlex represents the decade's most significant technological advancement in low intensity laser therapy. Indeed, it is felt to be an important ‘new therapeutic dimension’.
What does Low Intensity Laser Therapy do?
By affecting and reversing the offending pathology at the cellular level, laser optimizes the restoration of normal cellular morphology and function; therefore, as logic dictates symptoms disappear. The beneficial effects of laser therapy are cumulative over the course of a series of treatments.
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 process. Unlike the BioFlex however, the healing effects of these treatments have been disappointing as they appear to modulate symptoms only. In contrast, BioFlex is able to influence the pathology directly at the cellular level, resulting in therapeutic benefits that are more profound and indeed curative. Frequently alternative therapies act as counter-irritants, creating a transient increase in arterial circulation and the release of endorphins, providing temporary symptomatic relief only.
Are there any contraindications?
Yes. There are two basic contraindications. Patients on photoactive medication and women in their first trimester of pregnancy. Appropriate clinical factors vary and must always be considered.
Are there any clinics using the BioFlex in my area?
Many of the clinics that are using the BioFlex are listed on our website. You are encouraged to review the website to view clinics in your area.