www.excel.net/~jaguar/relaxerinfo.html
InfraRed Muscle & Tendon Relaxer
This is a totally amazing light therapy device in that it can easily relax
tight muscles and tendons with its tissue-penetrating 940nm (light wavelength)
infrared light and 660nm near-infrared light. Using this alternative light
therapy, one minute on any tight muscle point is usually enough to do the
trick. Other light therapy devices like this exist but they are more expensive
(up to $6500), harder to use on back muscles & shoulders, often don't
even specify the lights wavelength, and require batteries to run which quickly
need replacement. The president of this company uses his infrared therapy
device to relax his fibromyalgia muscle points.
The results he gets are so incredible he wants everyone with
fibromyalgia
to have the same experience. He was inspired to create it after watching a
spot on TV about a pro basketball player getting infrared light treatment
on his ailing wrist and as a result being able to continue his career instead
of quitting due to increasing wrist pain. This is an indication of beneficial
effect for anyone with tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
According to one scientific research report (
ISBN: 0-8194-1500-6) blood
exposed to infrared light had less blood cell aggregation (clumping together)
which would free up more surface area of red blood cells to transfer nutrients
and oxygen to tissues.
We sell this device in spite of the cry-babies at DioMedics trying to get
us in trouble with the FDA since they sell an approved unit and we don't.
We also sell the
plans to build it yourself. The construction plans
are only for people with electronics building experience. Included is a parts
list, schematic, and assembly drawing (where to put the parts on the pc board).
This unit is not for problems with a large surface area since the light output
area of it is only 1.25" diameter. For large areas I recommend a high
wattage infrared heat lamp. Just do a search for an "infrared heat lamp".
Warning: This is a strong source of infrared light which should
not be looked at directly with the naked eye and should be kept out of the
reach of children. Eye exposure of more than 1 second could possibly cause
temporary damage. (I did this and experienced 'green' vision for about 30
seconds afterwards but had no permanent damage.)
Units available from other companies:
PAIN-X-2000 MODEL 900 $169
PAIN-X-2000 MODEL 1600 $349
PAIN-X-2000 MODEL 2500 $845
PAIN-X-2000 MODEL 5700 $1,350
ANODYNE MODEL 4000 $4,100
BIO-SCAN 2 CLUSTER HEAD $1,800
BIO-SCAN NEW 2 CLUSTER HEAD $1800
BioScan Light Patch $189
BioScan Tendon Saver $189
THERALASER $1,995
Respond 2400 $4,099
Alphalaser $3,586
Equilaser 100mW $3,375
THOR DD 150mW Laser $4,100
40mW DD + 69 Diode 583mW Cluster $6,500
Just so you'll know how nice my competition is, heres an email to me on
Oct 18 2000 from the maker of PAIN-X-2000 (Randall Everett everett@lw.net:
"Your website has been forwarded to the Food and Drug Administration
for legal action for advertising a medical device that is not FDA approved.
You are advertising a device for medical problems for human use. Also you
need to remove any reference on your website or advertising material pertaining
to the PAIN-X-2000. Since you are refering to the PAIN-X-2000 as being like
your device, which it is not."
I replied letting them know in no incertain terms that they were scum-sucking
pigs that were part of the medical problem (over-regulation and just existing
for the almighty dollar) and not the solution.
Red Light Therapy
Light therapy has been shown in over 40 years of independent research worldwide
to deliver powerful therapeutic benefits to living tissues and organisms.
Both visible red (400-700nm) and invisible infrared light (700-2000nm) have
been shown to effect at least 24 different positive changes at a cellular
level. Visible red light, at a wavelength of 660nm (nanometers), penetrates
human tissue to a depth of about 8-10mm. It is very beneficial in treating
problems close to the surface such as wounds, cuts, scars, trigger points,
and acupuncture points and is particularly effective in treating infections.
Infrared light penetrates to a depth of about 30-40mm which makes it more
effective for bones, joints, deep muscles, etc. Although both red and infrared
wavelengths penetrate to different depths and affect tissues differently,
their therapeutic effects are similar.
Wavelength dependent photobiochemical reactions occur throughout nature and
are involved in such things as vision, photosynthesis, tanning and Vitamin
D metabolism. In this view, infrared therapy is really a form of light therapy,
and infrared light emitting diodes (LED's) and lasers are important in that
they are convenient sources of intense light at wavelengths that stimulate
specific physiological functions (Lasers Surgery Med 9,1-5, Mayo Clinic, Rochester,
Minnesota 1989). At this time, research has shown no side effects from this
form of therapy other than an occassional increase in discomfort for a short
period of time after treating chronic conditions. This occurs as the body
reestablishes new equilibrium points following treatment. It is a phenomenon
that may occur as part of the normal process of recovery.
LED's and Lasers are no more than convenient devices for producing light at
specific wavelengths, and in addition to the one already cited, several other
studies establish that it is the light itself at specific wavelengths that
is therapeutic in nature and not the machine which produced it. All biological
systems have a unique absorption spectrum which determines what wavelengths
of radiation will be absorbed to produce a given therapeutic effect. The visible
red and invisible infrared portions of the spectrum have been shown to have
highly absorbent and unique therapeutic effects in living tissues.
What is the Difference between near-infrared LED's and LASERS?
Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) are another form of light therapy that is a
relatively recent development of the laser industry. LEDs are similar to lasers
in as much as they can emit the same light but differ in the way that the
light energy is delivered. Lasers are focused beam single-wavelength light
emitters that can be intense enough (a 'hot' laser) to burn/cut tissue or
'cold' enough to only have light therapy effects. LEDs do not deliver enough
power to damage the tissue, but they do deliver enough energy to stimulate
a response from the body to heal itself. With a low peak power output but
high duty cycle (50%), the LEDs provide a much gentler delivery of the same
healing wavelengths of light as does the laser but without the same risk of
accidental eye damage that lasers do.
A significant difference between lasers and LEDs is the power output. The
peak power output of LEDs is measured in thousandths of a watt, while that
of lasers is measured in watts. However, this difference when considered alone
is misleading, since the most critical factor that determines the average
amount of energy delivered is the duty cycle of the device. LED devices usually
have a 50% duty cycle. That is, the LED
pulse is
ON for .5 seconds and OFF for .5 seconds, versus the .2 millionths of a second
burst from a laser at 1 hertz, which is ON .0000002 seconds and OFF for .9999998
seconds. This is a .00002% duty cycle. In short, the LED diodes emit more
than 33% more 'average' energy than a comparable laser diode because of the
substantially longer duty cycle, even though the peak output is much less.
Moreover, LED's allow the light beam to spread out instead of being a pinpoint
light beam and they generate a broader band of wavelengths than does the single-wavelength
laser. The wide-angle diffusion of the LED confers upon it a greater ease
of application, since light emissions are thereby able to penetrate a broader
surface area. Moreover, the multiplicity of wavelengths in the LED, contrary
to the single-wavelength laser, may enable it to affect a broader range of
tissue types and produce a wider range of photochemical reactions in the tissue.
If LED light disperses over a greater surface area, this results in a faster
treatment time for a given area than laser. The primary reason that Jaguar
chose the LEDs over lasers is that LEDs are safer, more cost effective, provide
a gentle but effective delivery of light and a greater energy output per unit
of surface area in a given time duration. Our units produce visible near-infrared
red light with a center frequency of 660nm (nano-meters).
What does Light Therapy actually do?
Light Therapy Can:
1. Increase circulation by increasing the formation of new capillaries, which
are additional blood vessels that replace damaged ones. New capillaries speed
up the healing process by carrying more oxygen as well as more nutrients needed
for healing and they can also carry more waste products away.
2. Stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is the most common protein
found in the body. Collagen is the essential protein used to repair damaged
tissue and to replace old tissue. It is the substance that holds cells together
and has a high degree of elasticity. By increasing collagen production less
scar tissue is formed at the damaged site.
3. Increase RNA and
DNA synthesis. This helps damaged cells to be replaced
more promptly.
4. Stimulate fibroblastic activity which aids in the repair process. Fibroblasts
are present in connective tissue and are capable of forming collagen fibers.
5. Stimulate tissue granulation and connective tissue projections, which are
part of the healing process of wounds, ulcers or inflamed tissue.
6. Stimulate the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the major
carrier of energy to all cells. Increases in ATP allow cells to accept nutrients
faster and get rid of waste products faster by increasing the energy level
in the cell. All food turns into ATP before it is utilized by the cells. ATP
provides the chemical energy that drives the chemical reaction of the cell.
7. Increase lymphatic system activity. Edema, which is the swelling or natural
splinting process of the body, has two basic components. The first is a liquid
part which can be evacuated by the blood system and the second is comprised
of the proteins which have to be evacuated by the lymphatic system. Research
has shown that the lymph vessel diameter and the flow of the lymph system
can be doubled with the use of light therapy. The venous diameter and the
arterial diameters can also be increased. This means that both parts of edema
(liquid and protein) can be evacuated at a much faster rate to relieve swelling.
8. Relieve pain. The photons of light energy enter the body as negative ions.
This calls upon the body to send positive ions like calcium among others to
go to the area being treated. These ions assist in firing the nerves thereby
relieving pain. Light therapy is successfully used in pain therapy, dermatology
and rheumatology with excellent therapeutic effects in the treatment of shoulder
humerus periarthritis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
9. Stimulate acetylcholine release and other parasympathetic effects.
10. Increase phagocytosis, which is the process of scavenging for and ingesting
dead or degenerated cells by phagocyte cells for the purpose of clean up.
This is an important part of the infection fighting process. Destruction of
the infection and clean up must occur before the healing process can take
place.
11. Induce a thermal like effect in the tissue. The light raises the temperature
of the tissue treated which can kill or disable temperature sensitive bacteria
and viruses.
REFERENCES
Young, Bolton, Dyson, Harvey, Diamantopoulos: "Macrophage responsiveness
to light therapy" Lasers Surg Med 9 497-505 1989
Smith: "The photobiological basis of low level laser radiation therapy"
Laser Therapy 3,1 1991 Stanford University School of Medicine
Basford: "Low-energy laser therapy: controversies & research findings"
Lasers Surg Med 9,1-5 1989 Mayo Clinic
Belkin, Schwartz: "New biological phenomena associated with laser radiation"
Health Physics 56,5 687-690 5.1989 Tel-Aviv University
Karu: "Photobiology of low-power laser effects" Health Physics 56,5
691-704 5.1989 Laser Technology Centre of Russia
Kitchen, Partridge: "A review of low level laser therapy" Physiotherapy
77,3 3.1991 Centre for Physiotherapy Research, King's College London
Rochkind, Rousso, Nissan, Villarreal, Barr-Nea, Rees: "Systemic effects
of low-power laser irradiation on the peripherial & central nervous system,
cutaneous wounds & burns" Lasers Surg Med 9 174-182 1989
McKibbin, Paraschak: "Use of laser light to treat certain lesions in
standardbreds" Mod Veterinary Practice Sec. 3 13 3.1984
Baxter, Bet, Atien, Ravey: "Low level laser therapy: current clinical
practice in northern Ireland" Physiotherapy 77,3 3.1991 Blamed Research
Centre University Ulster
McKibbin, Downie: "The effects of low energy laser on soft tissue in
veterinary medicine" The Acupuncture Institute, Ontario Canada J Wiley
& Sons
Wheatley, McKibbin, Paraschak: "A study of the effects or lasering of
chronic bowed tendons" Lasers Surg Med Sec 3 55-59 1983
Nemeth: "Lasers and wound healing" Dermatologic Clinics 11,4 1993
Laser and Dermatology Center, Clearwater FL
"Low level laser therapy: A practical introduction" Ohshiro, Caiderhead,
Wiley and Sons
"Low reactive-level laser therapy: A practical application" Ohshiro,
Wiley and Sons
Enwemeka: "Laser biostimulation of healing wounds: specific effects and
mechanisms of action" J Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy 9,10 1988
University of Texas, Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
Braverman, McCarthy, Lyankovich, Forde, Overfield, Bapna: "Effect of
helium-neon and infrared laser irradiation on wound healing in rabbits"
Lasers Surg Med 9 50-58 1989 Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center;
University of Illinois
Trelles, Mayayo: "Bone fracture consolidates faster with low-power laser"
Lasers Surg Med 7 36-45 1987 Barcelona, Spain
Gogia, Hurt, Zim: "Wound management with whirlpool and infrared cold
laser treatment" Physical Therapy 68,8 8.1988 AMI-Park Plaza Hospital,
Houston TX
Surinchak, Alago, Bellamy, Stuck, Belkin: "Effects of low-level energy
lasers on the healing of full-thickness skin defects" Lasers Surg Med
2 267-274 1983 Lettennan Army Institute of Research. Presido of San Fransico,
CA
Abergel, Lyons, Castel, Dwyer, Uitlo: "Biostimulation of wound healing
by lasers: experimental approaches in animal models and in fibroblast cultures"
J Dennatol Surgery Oncol 13,2 2.1987 Harbor UCLA Medical Center. CA
Hunter, Leonard, Wilsom, Snider, Lxon: "Effects of low energy laser on
wound healing in a porcine model" Lasers Surg Med 3 285-290 1984 Department
of Surgery, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City UT
Mester, Spiry, Szende, Tola: "Effect of laser rays on wound healing"
Am J Surg 122 10.1971 Semmelweis Medical Univ. Budapest
Moore: "Low level laser therapy in the United Kingdom" The Royal
Oldham Hospital, Oldhant, UK
Thomassoi: "Effects of skin-contact monochromatic infrared irradiation
on tendonitis, capsulitis and myofascial pain" 19th Annual Scientific
Meeting, American Academy of Neurological & Orthopaedic Surgeons 27-30.8.1995
Facial Pain/TMJ Centre, Denver, CO
From www.beyond2000.com/news/Dec_00/story_932.html:
In the laboratory, Whelan and his team have shown that skin and muscle cells
matured in cultures grow 150 to 200 percent faster when they're exposed to
the LED's.
They reported a 40 percent improvement in patients who had musculo-skeletal
training injuries treated with the light-emitting diodes.
In the field, a wound-healing device was placed on the attack submarine USS
Salt Lake City. Doctors on board described that crewmembers' lacerations doubled
their healing rate when exposed to the LED light.
So far, what we've seen in patients and what we've seen in laboratory cell
cultures, all point to one conclusion, says Dr. Harry Whelan, professor of
pediatric neurology and director of hyperbaric medicine at the Medical College
of Wisconsin. The near-infrared light emitted by these LED's seems to be perfect
for increasing energy inside cells. This means whether you're on Earth in
a hospital, working in a submarine under the sea or on your way to Mars inside
a spaceship, the LED's boost energy to the cells and accelerate healing.