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Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a form of laser medicine used in physical therapy and veterinary treatment that uses low-level (low-power) lasers or light-emitting diodes to alter cellular function. Other names for the therapy include low-power laser, soft laser, cold laser, biostimulation laser, therapeutic laser, and laser acupuncture.〔http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/manualhealingandphysicaltouch/cold-laser-therapy〕 Whereas high-power lasers ablate tissue, low-power lasers are claimed to stimulate it and to encourage the cells to function. LLLT is integrated with mainstream medicine with ongoing research to determine where there is a demonstrable effect. Areas of dispute include the ideal location of treatment (specifically whether LLLT is more appropriately used over nerves versus joints〔), dose, wavelength, timing, pulsing and duration. The effects of LLLT appear to be limited to a specified set of wavelengths of laser,〔 and administering LLLT below the dose range does not appear to be effective.〔 Despite a lack of consensus over its scientific validity, specific test and protocols for LLLT suggest it may be mildly effective, but in most cases no better than placebo, in relieving short-term pain for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, acute and chronic neck pain, tendinopathy, and possibly chronic joint disorders. The evidence for LLLT being useful in the treatment of low back pain, dentistry〔〔 and wound healing is dubious. ==Medical uses== LLLT has primarily been shown useful in the short-term treatment of acute pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis,〔 osteoarthritis,〔 tendinopathy,〔〔 and possibly chronic joint disorders.〔 LLLT has also been useful in the treatment of both acute and chronic neck pain.〔 A Cochrane Library review concluded that LLLT has insufficient evidence for treatment of nonspecific low back pain,〔 a finding echoed in a later review of treatments for chronic low back pain.〔 Though it has been suggested for decades that LLLT could be useful in speeding wound healing, the appropriate parameters (dose, type of laser, materials, wavelength, etc.) have not been identified.〔 Similarly, the use of lasers to treat chronic periodontitis and to speed healing of infections around dental implants is suggested, but there is insufficient evidence to indicate a use superior to traditional practices. A Cochrane review found tentative evidence that low-level laser therapy may help in frozen shoulders. Stephen Barrett, writing for Quackwatch, concluded there was evidence to support LLLT use for temporary pain relief, but "there's no reason to believe that they will influence the course of any ailment or are more effective than other forms of heat delivery." 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Low level laser therapy」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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