What is laser acupuncture?
The laser acupuncture is a relatively new method, which generally uses a laser with low energy beams instead of the traditional needle acupuncture to influence the current flow of the acupuncture points. Beyond the conventional medicine, acupuncture, laser is usually the preferred method for the effective treatment of painful disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, arthritis of the knee and chronic headaches in children. Most practitioners of laser acupuncture have a deep knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, and a clear understanding of the acupuncture points.
An acupuncturist laser typically has a beam of laser light on an acupoint, stimulating the acupuncture needles do. During the laser acupuncture procedure, a doctor may have a constant beam in an acupuncture point for a period that can range from ten seconds to a maximum of two minutes. The length of the beam usually depends on the amount of tissue that the laser must penetrate, and the power that acupuncturist must apply at one point. Sometimes a doctor may also use invisible infrared lasers.
Acupuncture laser is mainly used for two purposes: to produce an anesthetic effect and the stimulation of acupuncture points in a treatment program. The procedure has some advantages over traditional needle method. Many patients are afraid of needles, such as children, prefer laser acupuncture. The use of a laser makes it a general non-invasive, and a sterile procedure, which significantly reduces pain and recovery associated with invasive treatments. In general, laser acupuncture can treat the same problems as the acupuncture needles.
While alternative therapies laser reduces patient trauma and are usually a good option for treatment, there are also testimonies to acupuncture where they state that the risk of cross infection is high, the efficacy of this treatment is often limited to peripheral points. The acupressure points in the hands of a patient, feet and ears often respond to laser acupuncture. the deepest points as the abs do not usually benefit from treatment, since most of the lasers used can not penetrate beyond the 0.19 inch (5 mm).