For Clinicians
LASER LIGHT THERAPY FOR CLINICIANS
Treating neurological, metabolic and inflammatory conditions using SYMBYX’s medical-grade, ARTG/CE listed laser light devices.
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FAQS
Class 3b and class 4 lasers are distinguished by power levels. Both are powerful enough to be effective at a cellular level, however whereas a Class 3b laser can be safely owned and operated with as little as ensuring safety glasses are worn, Class 4 poses additional risks to skin, tissue and the eyes. Hence why class 4 lasers tend to be reserved for surgical use, where tissue destruction is intended. The majority of photobiomodulation research for treatment of neurological, metabolic, inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions has been done using Class 3b lasers. All SYMBYX lasers are Class 3b lasers, given the specificity of the tissues and disorders that SYMBYX lasers are proven to be able to treat.
Infrared light is generally considered anything over 800 nm, while red light is generally considered anything below that. Both have their clinical applications, depending on the intended effect. For example, red light is more effective for superficial injuries and wound healing, while infrared light is more effective for any structure requiring deeper penetration. Our ProSeries laser comes with both red and infrared light handsets.
SYMBYX lasers are ARTG/CE-listed for treatment of a range of neurological, metabolic and inflammatory conditions. Our clinicians use SYMBYX devices to treat a range of conditions including:
- Parkinson's
- Fibromyalgia
- Pain and inflammation
- Muscle, tendon, ligament injuries
- Arthritis
- Sports injuries and recovery
- Scar, skin and wound healing (including open wounds)
- Lymphoedema
- Peripheral neuropathy (including diabetic neuropathy)
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Foot ulcers, neuropathies and fungal infections
Laser light therapy is extremely safe, and no serious adverse events have been reported in the literature using low-level laser. Most contraindications are either relative, or made due to a paucity of research. For example, there is no evidence to suggest that PBM is damaging during pregnancy to either the childbearer or the fetus, however because there is no research of PBM on this population (they're generally excluded as part of the exclusion criteria), to err on the side of caution, pregnancy becomes a contraindication. It is important to remember that different populations have different sensitivities to light therapy. For example, people who experience other channelopathy disorders such as connective tissue disorders or migraine, may also experience a heightened sensitivity to light. A full list of Contraindications and Precautions can be found here.
A treatment session can last anywhere from 15 seconds up to 20 minutes, depending on the specific injury and type of treatment you are administering. During your training with our SYMBYX devices, you will receive training in a range of different laser light therapy techniques, including lymphatic drainage, pain relief techniques, approaches to tendinopathy, active laser techniques, and approaches to non-motor symptoms, as well as other neurological, metabolic and inflammatory conditions.
All purchased SYMBYX clinical-grade devices come with personalised training, and ongoing clinical support. This includes ongoing professional development based on the latest research and evidence in photobiomodulation and photobiomics. SYMBYX heavily invests in research, and we are often updating our protocols to be shared with you based on the latest evidence.In most regions and countries, you do not need formal training to operate Class 3B lasers (different to Class 4 lasers, which do need specialist training), however, you may required to show licensure, subject to the jurisdiction you are located in. You should make your own inquiries regarding any license, or any other form of registration, qualification or training, that may be required to own and/or operate the device in your jurisdiction.
The price varies depending on the device and the handsets provided. Our customers have been able to finance our most powerful devices for less than $200/wk over 1.5-2 years. We can also help with financing arrangements. Please get in touch with us to discuss your options.
Please get in contact with us to discuss your clients' needs via clinicialsupport@symbyxbiome.com
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Hear how Orla integrated Light therapy in her Clinic
HOW DOES LIGHT THERAPY WORK?
History of Light Therapy
Laser light therapy was first used clinically in 1902, when Danish researcher Niels Finsen showed that light stimulated the immune system and could help treat infections. In 1903, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for his research, having developed a lamp that could successfully treat lupus. Over the years, laser light therapy has been used to treat tuberculosis, sepsis, polio, encephalitis, and oral mucositis.These days, laser light therapy is still commonly used in hospitals to treat a range of pain conditions, lymphoedemas, wounds and scars. Babies who are also born with jaundice are still treated under blue lights.With the development of safe, medically-approved laser light therapy devices, it's now being used to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, some mental health disorders, Fibromyalgia, muscle and joint problems, gut disorders including leaky gut syndrome, cardiovascular issues, and even multiple sclerosis. Laser light helmets are also used to treat a range of brain conditions, including concussion, as well as improve cognition, sleep quality, and mood. Laser light therapy and infrared saunas have also become a key component for sporting recovery and performance.
Mechanism of action
Light therapy (or photobiomodulation) is the application of non-ionizing electromagnetic energy to trigger photochemical cellular reactions. The current, widely accepted mechanistic model is that red and infrared light is absorbed by the mitochondria to produce cellular energy, or ATP. Hence the popular phrase that laser light therapy "energises the cell". In unhealthy cells, cytochrome oxidase c, a mitochondrial enzyme, accepts light energy at specific wavelengths to stimulate the electron transport chain, leading to an increase in ATP. As well as an increase in ATP, this cellular process also triggers a series of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as intra-cellular calcium, which regulates cell growth and homeostasis; cAMP, a powerful anti-inflammatory; and nitric oxide (NO), which promotes vasodilation and circulation. The net result is cellular healing and repair.
Wavelength
One of the most important parameters in photobiomodulation is wavelength. The correct wavelength for the target cell and reaction must be employed, otherwise optimum absorption will not occur. Research has shown that this tends to be between 633-970 nm, depending on the intended effect of treatment. Infrared light is generally considered anything over 800-1000nm, while red light is considered 620-800 nm. We refer to this spectrum of light as non-ionizing, and it is the opposite end of the light spectrum to harmful UV light, which ionizes human cells to cause sunburn and skin cancers.Our clinical lasers come with multiple red and infrared wavelength options. Simply follow our professional protocols, and select the recommended handset. Sometimes, you may wish to combine different wavelengths to the same injury site, to stimulate different cellular processes. Instructions on how and when to do this are provided to you as part of your training with our devices.
Frequency
Frequency refers to the speed that the electromagnetic waves travel, written in Hertz. Brain waves typically have a frequency up to 100 Hz, while research is identifying healing effects driven by other Hz ranges up to 852 Hz. All our devices come with recommended Hertz presets, however can also be adjusted by the clinician depending on their intended effect.
Dose
Dose refers to the total amount of energy applied to the body, and is provided by J/cm2 (also referred to as fluence). The correct dose must be applied to ensure optimal results. Laser therapy has a biphasic dose response, meaning that when a dosage is too high it can be ineffective and even detrimental to the therapeutic response. The difference between Class 3b and Class 4 lasers is largely dependent upon the dose that can be applied to the body. A higher dose will more likely result in photothermal cellular effects, heating up the tissues until a burn occurs. This is why Class 4 lasers are often used surgically: they are intended to ‘burn off’ pathological cells. Class 3b lasers have enough power to stimulate cellular processes required for healing, while still being classed as 'cold' laser, meaning that they won't excessively heat the body. All SYMBYX lasers are Class 3b and super-pulsed, which allows them to provide a higher dosage without overheating. Our clinical lasers are fully adjustable to modulate dose based upon total number of joules, time, handset, and output power.
Photobiomics
SYMBYX lasers are the first, ARTG-listed Class 3b medical lasers approved for application of photobiomics in a neurodegenerative condition such as Parkinson's. Photobiomics is the application of photobiomodulation to influence the gut and the its microbiome. This is an emergent field of research, with some of the first studies in the world published by SYMBYX and its consultant scientists. Research has shown that, as well as promoting tissue healing and repair, PBM can also positively influence the gut microbiome. This mechanism, to treat conditions such as Parkinson's, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Cardiovascular Disease, and other metabolic conditions via gut-organ axes, is one avenue of research that SYMBYX is heavily invested in.