Low energy photon therapy has been proven in controlled medical studies and

through anecdotal reports by patients to be very effective for the treatment of

A wide range of soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries such as repetitive

strain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, whiplash, sports injuries,

myofascial pain, chronic pain, cumulative trauma disorder and fibromyalgia.

In one study of carpal tunnel syndrome, a repetitive strain injury, the Salansky

protocol resulted in a 71.4% average rate of cure in 21 patients. The patients

ranged in age from 28 to 66 years, all had chronic, painful CTS and some had

been advised to try surgery. All received treatment three times per week over a

period of five to ten weeks. Fifteen patients experienced complete recovery and

were able to return to work. Two patients experienced partial relief and four

did not respond. In follow-up visits of three to eighteen months, the 15 cured

patients remained symptom free.

Results of this study were released in a University of Toronto Research

Highlights Bulletin issued in October 1994 by the Public Affairs Department. The

results also appeared in the University of Toronto Bulletin of April 24, 1995,

and the Family Practice newspaper of November 14, 1994.

LEPT has been shown to improve muscle strength by 23% after whiplash compared to

conventional therapy alone (Fitz-Ritson, D., et al, as reported in Laser Surg.

Med, 1993; suppl (5)). In fact, a 1995 Quebec Task Force study on Whiplash which

analyzed over 10,000 scientific papers found that current passive physiotherapy

treatments like ultrasound, TENS, pulsed electromagnetic field, and diathermy

are of low benefit for patient recovery. During the first two to three days,

only ice was found to be effective and later only manipulation and exercise are

effective. LEPT, however, can be used immediately following the trauma because

it reduces swelling and hematoma formation and accelerates the resolution of

inflammation. Patients often experience remarkable pain relief after 1-3

treatments and are able to start an exercise program sooner.

For other soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries, LEPT has also been shown to

be very beneficial. In a study carried out by Dr. N Filonenko and colleagues,

there was an improvement in 60% of patients treated with LEPT who were suffering

from neuromuscular conditions or degenerative disc disease. 70% of all patients

with osteoarthritis and soft tissue problems showed an improvement with LEPT.

(see Low Energy Laser Biostimulation Therapy of Musculoskeletal Disorders in

SPIE Laser Surgery, 1992 (1643-240-250).

In the late 1980s, Dr. Salansky, whose main areas of research were

microelectronics, began studying the therapeutic applications of low energy

photons. These photons have about 10,000 times less energy than surgical lasers

and are in the wavelength range of 4,000 to 7,000 angstroms. This is a visible

range of light extending from blue to red. Another range involved is the close

infrared with a wavelength of from 8,000 to 10,000 angstroms.

Salansky and his colleagues at IMI discovered that these photons, if delivered

at specific powers, frequencies and wavelengths, interact with body tissue and

can relieve a number of painful conditions. Early studies with photon therapy in

Hungary a number of years ago met with some success but the results were never

consistent.

Dr. Salansky, however, discovered that the reason for this failure to replicate

results was because there are a number of parameters that must be defined for

the condition being treated. In other words, it is not good enough to bathe a

wounded or injured area with photons; the parameters of the photons must be

specifically defined for the condition being treated. These parameters that must

be calibrated are wavelength, monochromaticity, beam divergency, pulse

frequency, pulse duration, power intensity, dose, and three-dimensional light

distribution in the tissue. Each condition being treated requires unique

settings.

Certain wavelengths have been found that will penetrate the skin to different

depths. In addition, by selecting the parameters of the photon beam, cell

metabolism can be normalized and the microcirculation can be improved.

Dr. Salansky’s work in this area has been funded by the National Research

Council of Canada and by the Canadian Department of National Defense. Research

into the appropriate parameters required to treat a number of conditions has led

to the development of the LEPT 2000 technology

two to six minutes; it rarely exceeds ten minutes. There are usually about 1 to

3 applications of a multiple source probe to specific areas defined in the

clinical protocol. Patients may even self-administer. In some cases, a special

Chronic leg ulcers are a common and costly problem in North America. Despite

Numerous treatments that are available, many ulcers are difficult to heal and

Recurrence rates are high. Some of the existing treatments such as skin

Grafting, hyperbolic oxygen, ultrasound and ultraviolet light only marginally

Improve outcomes. It is estimated that there are 9 million skin ulcer patients

in North America who cost the health care system $50,000 each. Consequently, an

efficient treatment for ulcers will not only benefit thousands of patients, it

will save the health care system million of dollars annually.

That treatment is now available using low energy photon therapy!

The efficacy of this treatment was described in a front page article in the

August 1994 issue of the Dermatology Times of Canada. In addition to the

scientific discussion of LEPT, the article describes the treatment of a patient

at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre in Toronto - a teaching hospital associated

with the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine. The patient was a woman over 70 years of age with a 200 square cm leg ulcer that had persisted for 13 years. The woman had had a hysterectomy related to cancer, radiation therapy and osteomyelitis of the ankle bone. Despite three failed skin grafts, the ulcer began to heal after low energy photon treatments began. The necrotic tissue disappeared, microcirculation improved and tissue grew under the

new skin and filled in the wound. According to a report by Jacqui Telfer of the Department of Physiotherapy at Scarborough General Hospital in suburban Toronto, 13 patients with 22 leg ulcers were treated. 19 of the 22 ulcers were completely healed in 60 treatments; 2 decreased in size by 75% and one did not heal. (Scarborough General Hospital Mednews, vol 6 no 2, May 1993)