Book Review - Mary Dyson

Professor Mary Dyson, one of the leading educators and scientists, in the field of low intensity laser therapy has written a critique of the three texts written by Dr. Fred Kahn. In her review, she stresses the importance of these texts for students, practitioners, and educators in the field of low intensity laser technology. Her comments should be of interest to anyone involved in this technological field.

Alex Chan
Editor, Laser Report
Meditech International Inc.

Low intensity laser therapy,
Volumes 1-3 by Fred Kahn, MD,
FRCS: an appraisal by an educator

Mary Dyson PhD, FCSP(Hon)
Emeritus Reader in the Biology of Tissue Repair,
Kings College London (KCL), University of London, UK.

This impressive trilogy of text books by Dr. Fred Kahn on low intensity laser therapy (LILT) provides a clear account of a subject that is of importance to all professionals concerned with the improvement of healing and relief of pain. This includes doctors, surgeons, dentists, physiotherapists, nurses, chiropractors, osteopaths and veterinarians. The clinicians who use LILT had to acquire their training after graduation because, although LILT has been used for of 30 years, it is still not part of the curriculum of most of these professions. It should be, but first their educators need education in LILT, a form of phototherapy that utilizes the body's own restorative potential. Textbooks such as those authored by Dr. Kahn are essential in providing the foundation for this education.

Volume 1, entitled 'Low Intensity Laser Therapy in Clinical Practice', contains a compilation of articles on LILT written from the clinical perspective between 2001 and 2005. In these, Dr. Kahn draws on his unique wealth of experience, acquired in the 16 years during which he and his colleagues have diagnosed and treated thousands of patients with LILT. In addition, it features a constructively critical social commentary on healthcare. Written primarily for clinicians, this book is also of great value to those investigating the mechanisms by which LILT produces its effects.

Since 2005, Dr. Kahn has continued to extend his practice and to facilitate the evolution of the equipment used in LILT. He shares more of his knowledge in Volume 2, entitled 'Low Intensity Laser Therapy, the New Therapeutic Dimension'. This contains a further series of articles on the clinical applications and mechanisms of LILT. Those dealing with specific clinical conditions are generally comprehensive and typically contain definitions, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and finally treatment, illustrated by specific cases. The articles on mechanisms are commendably clear and well referenced. Each article can stand alone but they are of greater educational value when presented as a compilation. As in volume 1, the articles are followed by a commentary section in which Dr. Kahn presents his views on modern medicine and challenges its practitioners to be creative, overcome mediocrity and stimulate reform. The final section of this volume is a valuable clinical photo atlas and presents the profiles of 48 cases demonstrating the response of patients to LILT.

As well as being a clinician, Dr. Kahn is an entrepreneur who has catalyzed the development of the BioFlex LILT systems. Volume 3 of the trilogy is a clinical user's manual in which his original protocols, proposed 15 years ago, are updated. This publication is based on 18 years of research and the results of administering over 1 million treatments to date. The distillation of this experience into this highly practical and clearly illustrated handbook is an outstanding achievement.

LILT is used regularly and with considerable success in situations where other therapies have failed. To help more patients we need more clinicians trained in the technology. The most efficient way to achieve this is for it to become part of the curriculum of healthcare. Their educators must learn about low intensity laser therapy and then teach it to the next generation of practitioners. Dr. Kahn's books will help them achieve this. Patients and the health care system will profit.