Nomenclature - Low Intensity Laser Therapy

Many terminologies are used to characterize Low Intensity Laser Therapy, a term that we began to use at Meditech, ten years ago. This decision was formulated after due deliberation and is considered to be the most accurate description of the technology. This categorization has now been adopted by many researchers, manufacturers and educators in this field of endeavour.

At the same time, we bring to your attention the many synonyms commonly used, particularly in the literature:
• Photo bio-stimulation
• Light therapy
• Phototherapy 
• Laser therapy
• Soft laser therapy     
• Cold laser therapy
• Laser light therapy
• Low level laser
• Low power laser
• Low energy laser
• Low energy photon therapy
• Soft tissue laser therapy
• Low reactive laser therapy
• Therapeutic laser

As utilization of the technology increases, more synonyms will undoubtedly surface, often to describe variations, which may be based on the engineering perspective. Until the scientific community arrives at a consensus, Meditech will continue to use the term, Low Intensity Laser Therapy.   

It should be noted that differentiations are frequently related to the power or intensity of the device output, operating from one milliwatt to twenty watts. At Meditech, based on our experience, it is clear that laser therapy above 250 milliwatts, even if used for milliseconds, can result in tissue damage. Below 250 milliwatts, using proper frequencies, duty cycles and controlling a number of other parameters, tissue stimulation can be advanced in a cumulative pattern, rather than produce inhibition of healing, which may occur at higher power settings.

Fred Kahn, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C).