None so blind as the BMJ who will not see

Posted on 31 October 2013 by James Carroll

A few weeks ago (September 2013) the BMJ updated their patient information for neck pain and I quote “There isn’t much specific research that shows drugs help neck pain, but your doctor may recommend one or more of the following” and then they list painkillers (acetaminophen), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidepressants and muscle relaxants. Well, guess what, there was NO mention of LLLT.

Of course I wrote to the BMJ, pointing out there are at least 17 RCTs for LLLT on neck pain and a systematic review in the Lancet and added “What kind of a review did your team do that missed LLLT and yet suggests drug therapies that lack evidence?” and the reply was “The patient leaflets are written from reviews of the evidence on treatments compiled by our scientific and clinical teams for the Best Practice and Clinical Evidence products. The treatments to be included are decided upon with advice from clinical experts in the field. I will forward your message to the teams involved in deciding the scope of the Clinical Evidence and Best Practice topics linked to the neck pain patient leaflet, so that they can consider your comments when they next review the scope of the topic”

Should I respond and what should I say?

I am a fan of the BMJ. They are not usually a slave to the pharma industry and they are not afraid to confront them or any blinkered “business as usual” physicians so I fully expect LLLT to be in next years guidlines (I shall make sure of it). That is my upbeat comment for this month.

Posted in Rants | 7 Comments

Course Testimonial: David Adamson

Posted on 16 October 2013 by Ian

David Adamson“I attended the Thor PBM course in Sydney on 9 September 2013 with 3 of my fellow educators and about 12 Students studying Laser and IPL at the Australasian College. We were both inspired and excited about what we learned that day and ‘have seen the light’. James is a brilliant presenter complemented superbly by Mark making the perfect team to spread the word. Well done guys.”

David Adamson
Dermal Therapist/Educator
The Laser Clinic, NSW, Australia

View current photobiomodulation therapy training dates in your location.

Posted in Testimonials | on Course Testimonial: David Adamson

Draft: Suggestions for consent before LLLT

Posted on 30 September 2013 by James Carroll

Here are some suggestions to help you develop your patient informed consent form

INTRODUCTION
Photobiomodulation is low intensity laser treatment that has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve healing and reduce pain from back and neck pain, from sports injuries, after surgery and after radiotherapy treatments.

This low intensity laser light is applied to injuries for one minute per treatment site. Multiple sites may need treatment so treatment time can take several minutes.

You will hear a beep when the machine is switched on and occasionally some people feel a warm or tingling sensation

SAFETY
The laser machine is approved use by the United States, Heath Canada, UK, European Union and Australia.

We do not treat over tumours, or the eyes or or directly over the womb of a pregnant mother.

You will be asked to wear specially safety glasses. This is an extra precaution to keep your eyes safe and make sure you cannot see if you are getting the active or sham laser therapy. You must wear them for the entire time the laser therapy machine is switched on. The person giving you the treatment will be also wearing safety glasses.

SIDE EFFECTS
There are no reported significant side effects. Occasionally pain might feel slightly worse for a few hours after treatment.

  • Do you understand that this is a laser and light therapy treatment intended to stimulate healing and relieve pain?
  • The treatment should not be painful and you should feel no significant heat, but you might feel a pleasant warmth.
  • Are you pregnant?
  • Are you epileptic?
  • Do you have any known carcinoma?
  • Are you photosensitive or taking any photosensitising drugs ?
  • Warn patients they may have temporary aggravated symptoms after LLLT

What else ?
Please add your comments and suggestions below

 

Posted in Training | 2 Comments

THOR LLLT research, training and conference news August 2013

Posted on 28 September 2013 by James Carroll

38 papers for you this month starting with a review from Harvard on LLLT for hair loss, a clinical trial on osteoarthritis*, a trial on wound healing post tooth extraction on HIV+ patients* (see rant below), a review of laser vs needles on myofascial trigger points, effect of laser vs needle acupuncture on the CNS, an extensive report on auricular laser acupuncture, a trial using red LED light on muscle activity. I also found 19 LED studies studies that got missed in previous literature watches so I have added those (so you get 57 papers ins all in this literature watch) and that brings the total number of LED research papers in my collection to 260.
Continue reading →

Posted in Research | on THOR LLLT research, training and conference news August 2013

The Bottom Line – lazy or ignorant professors?

Posted on 28 September 2013 by James Carroll

Irradiation parameters and dose are critical aspects of LLLT and if you are a doctor or therapist you probably trust the research you read. Prepare to be disappointed.

Continue reading →

Posted in Rants | 6 Comments

THOR LLLT research, training and conference news July 2013

Posted on 16 August 2013 by James Carroll

30 papers for you this month starting with a systematic review and a clinical trial on the rate of orthodontic movement, for the first time (so far as I can tell), someone has done a study on telomere length: young fibroblasts treated with LLLT  had decreased shortening rate and LLLT delayed the aging of cells; there is an RCT on whiplash associated disorder, a trial of LED‘s on fatigue and quadriceps power during treadmill training, a combined LLLT and vibration study on cellulite, a paper I collaborated on for LED treatment of head and neck oedema (post cancer surgery of the larynx), 670nm LED down-regulation of nitrosative stress and protection against apoptosis within the CNS in a model of MS, and a study showing that LEDs also induces analgesia in mice.

Continue reading →

Posted in Research | on THOR LLLT research, training and conference news July 2013

The largest cause of disability

Posted on 16 August 2013 by James Carroll

This BMJ report caught my eye because of the amount research interest there is in LLLT for brain pathologies (see bottom of this article for list)

BMJ report: Mental illness is the single largest cause of disability in the UK

It contributes up to 22.8% of the total cost burden compared with 15.9% for cancer and 16.2% for cardiovascular disease

One third of the adult population suffers a mental disorder every year. Brain disorders cost the world more that any other disease and yet distribution of medical research funding in the UK is as follows

13% Cancer
7% Coronary heart disease
1% Stroke
0.5% Dementia
Continue reading →

Posted in Research | on The largest cause of disability