“Laser acupuncture in the management of musculo-skeletal pain and hemophilic arthropathy: A brief analysis of theorical basis”
Energy for Health, Volume 12
T. Viliani
Study Objective:
This study is a systematic review to explain the effects of low level laser on irradiated cells concerning cell structure, viability and DNA damage. Eight studies were analyzed from Cochrane Library and PubMed.
Conclusion:
In hemophilic arthopathy patients, the use of analgesics are limited due to the risk of bleeding. As acupuncture is considered a non-pharmacological tool in treatment and pain control in osteoarthritic disorders, laser acupuncture consists of treatment of acupuncture points with a laser light beam. The effects of laser acupuncture are due to the peripheral nerve stimulation, with modulation of afferent input on spinal neurons and to the increase of analgesia due to endogenous opioids, through action on central mechanisms. The photostimulation from the laser causes electrochemical and structural changes at the cellular level which are specific to the laser light (and thus not the needle). Optimal laser parameter is 10hz with more time needed to treat chronic than acute conditions. Laser acupuncture could be a safe tool for the control of chronic pain in hemophilic arthropathy and for the other challenging musculoskeletal conditions.