Dr. Charles Burton recently visited our Laser Clinic in Toronto and subsequently sent an excerpt from the Burton Report.

Dr. Burton is a noted authority on conditions relating to the spine and has written many articles on appropriate therapeutic procedures for problems relating to this section of the anatomy.

Spine care, specifically surgical spine care, and more specifically surgical fusion spine care in the United States has been, for much too long a period of time, the “Poster Boy” for continuing remarkably poor clinical judgment in some localities. The February 11, 2011 Wall Street Journal article titled: “Whether You Get Back Surgery May Hinge on Your ZIP Code” has pointed out this phenomenon.

It is therefore a refreshing task for Burton Report to present information on something which is safe and makes sense for the relief of spinal and joint pain as well as wound healing. Just about everyone is familiar with high intensity lasers as used in space, industry, and medicine but few know much about the world of low intensity laser therapy (LILT).

General credibility in regard to the healing powers of LILT have suffered from all too familiar “snake oil” stigma related to overkill in the enthusiastic healing claims made for these sorts of phenomena. A classic example of this was the early application of electricity in the treatment of patients It has taken the dedicated effort of pioneers such as Canadian physician Fred Kahn to clearly point out that there are appropriate and safe uses of LILT in effectively treating patient disability.

The science behind therapeutic (low) levels of laser is its ability to promote, at a molecular level, enhancement of tissue growth and thus promote healing. Because different molecules absorb different wavelengths of light therapeutic LILT encompasses mainly he red (660nm) and ultraviolet (830-840 nm) light spectrum.

As someone who has testified before the U.S. Congress regarding medical device legislation, as well as having been a past FDA Medical Device Panel Chairman, it has always been amazing to the author that the FDA has never really recognized that its responsibility was not solely that of regulating medical devices but to actually promote to the public those which were basically low cost, safe, efficacious (in the right hands), and clearly in the best interest of the patient. It is certainly time that U.S. and Canadian Health authorities begin to look more seriously at promoting important treatment modalities, of which LILT, is an excellent example, which make sense.

A good part of one’s life is spent trying to open other people’s minds often including one’s own.

I thought that I would post these comments from a physician who has been using the BioFlex Laser since 2003. Early on he was so impressed with the results obtained he donated the first $1000 for the Meditech Laser Therapy Research Fund.

Seven years later, he appears to still be happy with the technology.

Clearly he is someone who cares about making his patients well.

Fred Kahn, MD
FK / km

Fred,

You are doing some “great” things in Laser Medicine. Your conference line-up reads like a “who’s who” of Laser Medicine.

Last week I treated the Chief of Family Medicine of the Jewish General for “surgery – required” Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. He is amazed and happy – no surgery is needed.

Here in Montreal the local MDs simply don’t accept when I describe the clinical outcomes, even though I get superb results with laser since 2003! Most are skeptical – typical ivory tower attitude.

I simply go about my business and treat using laser, sometimes combined with manual medicine, massage and other “hands-on” techniques.

My practice is really more like a musculo-skeletal specialist referral practice, 2nd opinions, referral of “desperado” patients where standard therapy fails, etc. The physiatrists completely poo-poo the laser approach, of which they know nothing, aside from being resistant to learning.

Having fun and making people well, that’s the main thing!

Ciao

Robert Perlman, MD