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INTRODUCTION
The photonic stimulator (used in PHOTON THERAPY, PHOTODYNAMIC
THERAPY) is a hand held device which emits infrared light and
is held over specific points located on the body. The infrared
light penetrates the skin to help increase blood flow and circulation.
It is a non-invasive, safe, painless beam of light which activates
or produces particular physiological results based on applied
neuropsychological principles.
For those with RSD/CRPS, the sympathetic nervous system is dysfunctional
in that it does not properly control the cutaneous blood flow
to the areas of the skin. These altered blood flow patterns look
like hyperthermia (increased heat) or hypothermia (decreased blood
flow). There is a temperature asymmetry in the body. The photonic
stimulator can regulate blood flow and normalize temperature patterns.
(Please see our FAQ's)
Photon therapy has been used to treat many conditions, injuries
from sports, auto accidents work injuries, or painful diseases
e.g. back/neck/hip/knee and CRPS (complex regional pain
syndrome). The TIP (Thermal Imaging Processor) is a digital
infrared imaging system that measures heat emanating from the
body and is used to measure progress before and after treatment
is completed, offering a unique form of visual feedback. For more
information please click on our PHOTON FAQ's.
UPDATE March 2007: Due to an upsurge in interest, we
have posted new FAQ's on Photon.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON PHOTON
THERAPY (PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY)
PHOTON TREATMENT:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS(FAQ's)
1. Will I feel anything?
Most people feel no sensations other than the
movement of air from the small fan used to cool the emitter and
the vibrations from the motor. The doctor orders the intensity of
the lamp and sometimes there is a warmth sensation.
NOTE: There are NO electric shocks or burning
sensations.
2. Are there any contraindications?
As with any therapy (ultrasound, EMS therapy,
etc.) it is not applied over cancer, infection, pregnant uterus,
eyes or tumor People with these problems CAN be treated with photon
therapy at other sites in their body.
3. What does photon therapy do to me?
Photon therapy works in four general ways:
a) localized muscles relaxers, b) localized anti-inflammatory, c)
localized pain reliever and d) to help injured nerves heal. Because
there are no drugs used, the doctor is able to target specific areas
that are to be treated and there are no "all over the body"
side effects. Sometimes the patient does feel more relaxed all over
because their symptoms have changed. This is related to the restoration
of the parasympathetic nervous system. They are, however, able to
operate a car in a safe manner.
4. What conditions are treated with photon
therapy (photodynamic therapy)?
Most disorders of the nervous system have responded
well. These conditions include but are not limited to: Diabetic
neuritis, peripheral neuropathy, CRPS/RSD,
pain disorders, etc. Many disorders of the muscles have also been
successfully treated: whiplash, trigger points, muscles spasm, myositis,
and fibromyalgia. Other success have been met with Failed Back syndrome,
TMJ dysfunctions, joint pains and injuries from sports, auto accidents
and work injuries.
5. Can photon be used on children and senior
citizens?
Yes because there is no painful experience.
6. How
can you tell that I am getting any benefit from treatment?
The doctor performs an examination prior to
treatment and again when photon therapy is finished. There must
be a measure of improvement. High
resolution thermal imaging examination must be performed
in complex neurological conditions and establish the specific dosage
and requirements for the patient.
7. How many treatments do I need?
Each patient and each diagnosis
requires a different quantity of care. A usual trial of treatment
is four sessions to document sustained improvement. If this cannot
be accomplished, treatment should be terminated.
8. Can anyone give photon treatments?
No. Only trained licensed health care professionals
are permitted to apply photon therapy. It is required that proper
chart notes, treatment plan and protocol are followed.
PHOTON: ADVANTAGES, EFFECTS
ON PAIN RELIEF, AND MECHANISM OF ACTION
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PHOTON THERAPY?
- Faster healing: accelerates fibroblast development
in damaged tissue as well as stimulating bone and cartilage regeneration
- anti-inflammatory action:reduces swelling
and accelerates healing times of soft tissue injuries
- Increased vascular activity: results in
an increase of microcirculation of lymphatics and small blood
vessels in injured tissue
- Stimulates nerve function: accelerates the
regeneration of damaged nerves.
- Fast: typical treatment is only 10 minutes
- Nonpharmalogical: no hidden side effects
- Non-invasive: unlike acupuncture or injections,
the skin is not physically penetrated
- Economical: costs less than other therapy
and offers greater benefits
EFFECTS OF PHOTONIC STIMULATION ON PAIN
RELIEF
1. At appropriate energy densities and treatment
parameters, it can alter the pain threshold.
2. Photonic stimulation has the potential to
significantly alter the neurochemistry of the central and peripheral
nervous systems. This suggests that there may be a neuropharmacological
substrate for laser-mediate analgesia.
3. Photon can alter electrically evoked potentials,
in terms of latency (or velocity) and amplitude.
HOW DOES PHOTON WORK IN THE BODY?
Photon breaks the painful inflammatory cycle by dilating small
blood and lymphatic vessels. This increase in circulation removes
the irritating inflammatory products and results in accelerated
healing and pain relief. the fibroblasts. immune system and nervous
system are also stimulated by photon to increase activity--thereby
repairing damaged tissues sooner.
Numerous tests show that the increase in circulation and reduction
in pain associated with the use of photon is the result of an increase
in the release of nitric oxide directly under the transmitter. The
photodisssociation of nitric oxide (NO), either directly form the
endothelial cells or from the hemoglobin within the red blood cell,
may be responsible for these benefits.
Over 40 years ago, Furchgott (et al JPETT 113:22, 1955) demonstrated
the ability of photo energy to induce vasorelaxation. Furchgott,
Ignatto and Murad were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in medicine
and physiology in 2000 for their work in identifying NO as the molecule
responsible for regulating blood pressure.
SOURCE: Kobrossi: Photodynamic Therapy pamphlet
USE OF THERMOGRAPHY
IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CRPS: A PHYSICIAN’S OPINION
by Dr P Getson DO Pain Practitioner
2006 Vol. 16 No. 1
REVIEW ARTICLE FROM PARC
PEARL DEC. 2006
Diagnosing CRPS is difficult at best and doctors
have yet to come up with a definitive test. One helpful diagnostic
tool which helps assemble the pieces of the puzzle is thermography.
It has been around since the 1950’s and still is used at NASA.
Neuromuscular disorders can be diagnosed with thermography.
With regard to CRPS, the infrared cameras
are hi-tech computer images which measure changes in skin temperature.
“The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) controls
these changes and changes in the sympathetics cause changes in the
thermal imaging which do not conform to dermatomal patterns”.
Thermography is exacting in measuring temperature and temperature
differences.
"Thermography show changes in skin temperature
to one tenth of one degree centigrade. Lack of symmetry is out of
conformation to dermatomal distributions.”
Measurements on a CRPS patient within the first
six months shows the affected side to be warmer than the contralateral
side by 0.9 Degrees C which is considered as standard for sympathetically
maintained thermal asymmetry. Sometimes this uneven temperature
is 1.5-2 degrees C. difference. After six months, the pattern changes
and the affected side is the “cold side”. The temperature
difference is often seen in very striking, vivid images.
While feeling the affected side with the hand
measures temperature, the thermogram is much more sensitive and
the temperature scale is very sensitive also. It is specifically
calibrated to measure very small differences. It can be adjusted
to allow for room or body temperature.
Another interesting thing to observe in “CRPS
is the spreading patterns which can be seen 6-9 months prior to
the occurrence of symptoms in a limb that has been affected with
dysfunction but has not yet become symptomatic“. Patients
mention symptoms in one limb which are seen as thermal abnormalities
in other limb.
Thermography means that patients
can be diagnosed and treated earlier.
USES: New cameras have real-time imaging properties
that could help monitor a limb while a spinal cord stimulator is
being installed.
Thermography could help the surgeon place the leads accurately so
that the patient gets maximum benefit from the stimulator.
DIAGNOSING CRPS:
Thermography is the best tool we have to date to help us with diagnosis
of CRPS. It also completely validates the symptoms described by
the patient. he/she is not making it up, exaggerating or hallucinating.
Earlier diagnosis means earlier treatment and a better prognosis.
Thermography continues to surprise us with its uses and is a valuable
help in making a diagnosis of CRPS.
Source: Pain Practitioner Vol 16 No. 1 Spring 2006
and ©PARC PEARL December 2006 p. 7.
PAST STUDIES
Infrared Photon Stimulation: A New Form
of Chronic Pain Therapy
by Jacob Green, M.D., Deborah Fralicker, R.N., D.C., William Clewell,
Ph.D., Earl Horowitz, D.P.M., Tim Luce, B.S., Victor Yannacone,
L.L.B., and Constance Haber, D.C.
ABSTRACT: Three diverse problems were studied,
the first of which was "chronic painful diabetic neuropathy."
This was typified by cold, painful feet. Photon therapy over the
acupuncture sites and over the afflicted area resulted in increased
temperature and amelioration of pain in many patients. In addition,
it was noted that those who became temperature coherent (we noted
a wide dispersion of recorded temperatures in symptomatic patients)
were associated with better assessment of the technique by the
patient.The second group of "chronic myofascial pain"
syndrome patients typically demonstrated an increased are of temperature
in the skin, were also treated by utilization of typical acupuncture
points. For the most part, clinical improvement in pain ratings
were noted associated with decreased skin temperature in affected
areas becoming side-to-side coherent over time. A third patient
with complex regional pain syndrome type II was also treated with
this technology with clinical improvement in his previously dramatically
reduced skin temperature without admission of any basic symptom
change.
It is felt that the infrared energy creates a change in the potentiostatic
electrochemical process which invokes a non-local coupling reaction
in the body's electrical system. This would also indicate a new
anatomical designation of acupuncture treatment points in correspondence
with the older nomenclature which was often misleading.This is
the first overall reporting of a treatment utilizing the body's
own "electrical buttons" as opposed to invoking electrical
change of an internal or external invasive or semi-invasive procedure.
Thermal Imaging Processor (TIP) Photon
Stimulation: A New Form of Therapy for Chronic Diabetic Medical
Painful Neuropathy of the Feet
by Jacob Green, M.D., Ph.D., Earl Horowitz, D.P.M., Deborah Fralicker,
R.N., D.C., William Clewell, Ph.D., George Ossi, B.S., Aerospace
Minnie Briley, C.M.E.T. and Tim Luce, B.S. Pain Digest, September/October
1999, Volume 9, Number 5
ABSTRACT: Diabetic neuropathy is a common,
significant, and painful condition that does not readily lend
itself to simplified Photonic therapy. Patients with painful
diabetic neuropathy were treated with a new entity, i.e., a
photon stimulator, and this device is described. Patients and
control subjects were all assessed by physiological means (high-resolution
digital infrared imaging)before and after all therapy. Patients
were all given the opportunity to express their own opinions
as to the efficacy of treatment outcomes via use of the standard
visual analogue scale (VAS). The results are noted.
Photon Stimulation Therapy
for Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome: A New Technique
by Jacob Green, M.D., Ph.D., Deborah Fralicker, R.N., William Clewell,
Ph.D., Earl Horowitz, D.P.M., and Tim Lucey, B.S. Disability, August
1999, Volume 8, Number 3
ABSTRACT: Complex regional pain syndrome type
I, previously known as reflex asymmetry dystrophy, is notoriously
difficult to treat. We report on the significant temperature reduction
and the side-to-side symmetry noted in one patient treated with
infrared photon therapy. We review recently published experience
with the photon stimulator in chronic diabetic painful neuropathy
and chronic myofascial pain syndrome. Significant temperature
symmetries which were the hallmark of these other disorders were
likewise similarly affected. Considerations for the acupuncture
type of electrochemical process change in non local coupling functions
are thought to be responsible. Neuromodulation and neuroaugmentation
created by this technology seem to be helpful in the amelioration
of this chronic painful condition.
Chronic Myofascial Pain
Treated with a New Device: The Photon Stimulator - Physiological
and Clinical Assessment
by Deborah Fralicker, D.C., Jacob Green, M.D., Ph.D., William Clewell,
Ph.D., George Ossi, B.S., and Minnie Briley, C.M.E.T. JMPT, Submitted
April 1999
ABSTRACT: Classical spinal and peripheral acupuncture
treatment points were stimulated by an FDA approved infrared photon
device in the treatment of chronic myofascial pain. Favorable
assessments by the patients of this new mode of photon therapy
were reported for both groups. A significant reduction in the
patient's level of pain using the standard visual analog scale
for pain measurement were found. A reduction of the classic hotter
(spot) skin surface temperatures in the area of the myofascial
complaints that the surrounding body in both groups of patients.
This infrared photon therapy device appears quite acceptable for
the outpatient treatments in chiropractic physicians offices,
especially those with an interest in myofascial pain and knowledge
of acupuncture technique.
Improvement of Pain and
Disability in Elderly Patients with Degenerative Osteoarthritis
of the Knee Treated with Narrow-Band Light Therapy
by Jean Stelian, M.D., Israel Gil, M.D., Beni Habot, M.D., Michael
Rosenthal, M.D., Julian Abramovici, M.D., Nathalia Kutok, M.D.,
and Auni Khahil, M.D. Journal of the American Geriatric Society,
January 1992, Volume 40, Number 1
ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the effects
of low-power light therapy on pain and disability in elderly patients
with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee. Design: Partially
double-blinded, full randomized trial comparing red, infrared,
and placebo light emitters. Patients: 50 patients with degenerative
osteoarthritis of both knees were randomly assigned to three treatment
groups: red (15 patients), infrared (18 patients), and placebo
(17 patients). Infrared and placebo emitters were double-blinded.
Interventions: Self-applied treatment to both sides of the knee
for 15 minutes twice a day for 10 days.
Main Outcomes: Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Present Pain
Intensity, and Visual Analog Scale for pain and Disability Index
Questionnaire for disability were used. We evaluated pain and
disability before and on the tenth day of therapy. The period
from the end of the treatment until the patients request to be
retreated was summed up 1 year after the trial.
Results: Pain and disability before treatment did not show statistically
significant differences between the three groups. Pain reduction
in the red and infrared groups after the treatment was more than
50% in all scoring methods. There was no significant pain improvement
in the placebo groups. We observed significant functional improvement
in the red- and infrared-treated groups, but not in the placebo
group. The period from the end of treatment until the patients
required retreatment was longer for the red and infrared groups
than for the placebo group.
Results: Pain and disability before treatment did not show statistically
significant differences between the three groups.Pain reduction
in the red and infrared groups after the treatment was more than
50% in all scoring methods (P less than 0.05). There was no significant
pain improvement in the placebo group. We observed significant
functional improvement in red- and infrared-treated groups (p
less than 0.05), but not in the placebo group. The period from
the end of treatment until the patients required treatment was
longer for red and infrared groups than for the placebo group
(4.2 +/- 3.0, 6.1 +/- 3.2, and 0.53 +/- 0.62 months, for red,
infrared, and placebo, respectively).
Conclusions: Low-power light therapy is effective in relieving
pain and disability in degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee.
Results of Treatment with
the Bales Scientific Photonic Stimulator
by Harry F. L. Pollett, M.D. FRCPC
Cape Breton Healthcare Complex
North Sydney, Canada
Diagnoses Treated
Back Pain - 21 Patients
RSD - 13 Patients
Tension Headaches - 10 Patients
Leg/Hip/Knee Pain - 10 Patients
Myofascial Pain - 5 Patients
Diabetic Neuropathy - 4 Patients
Chest Wall Pain - 3 Patients
Post Herpetic Neuralgia - 3 Patients
TMJ - 3 Patients
Abdominal Wall Pain - 1 Patient
Treatment Results
Diagnoses Treated:
Back Pain - 21 Patients (11 helped by other means before treatment
with Stimulator)
Back Pain - 21 Patients (at end of treatment with Photonic Stimulator)
Back Pain - 21 Patients (at present time - September, 1999)
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
(CRPS) - 13 Patients RSD - 13 Patients (at end of treatment with
Photonic Stimulator)
RSD - 13 Patients (at present time - September, 1999)
Tension Headache - 13 Patients (10 patients helped by other means
before treatment with Stimulator)
Tension Headache - 13 Patients (at end of treatment with Photonic
Stimulator)
Tension Headache - 13 Patients (at present time - September, 1999)
Leg/Hip/Knee Pain (at end of treatment with Photonic Stimulator)
Leg/Hip/Knee Pain (at present time - September, 1999)
Diabetic Neuropathy - 3 Patients (1 patient helped by other treatments)
Diabetic Neuropathy - 3 Patients (at end of treatment with Photonic
Stimulator)
Diabetic Neuropathy - 3 Patients (at present time - September,
1999)
Myofascial Pain - 5 Patients (4 patients were helped by other
treatments before Photonic Stimulator)
Myofascial Pain - 5 Patients (at end of treatment with Photonic
Stimulator)
Myofascial Pain - 5 Patients (at present time - September, 1999)
Recurrences
Change in Work Status
Concerns
Treatment Results
Minimum Number of Treatments - 3
Number of Patients Treated - 105
Number of Patients Surveyed - 81
Back Pain: 21 Patients (11 helped by other means before
treatment with Photonic Stimulator)
Treatments Included:
Trigger Points
I.V. Lidocaine
Epidural Steroids
Chiropractor
Back Pain - 21 Patients (at end of treatment with Photonic Stimulator)
Worse after treatment - 5 Patients
Unchanged after treatment - 7 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 4 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 5 Patients
Back Pain - 21 Patients (at present time - September, 1999)
Worse after treatment - 4 Patients
Unchanged after treatment - 5 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 5 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 7 Patients
REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY (RSD) or COMPLEX REGIONAL
PAIN SYNDROME (CRPS) - 13 Patients
(4 patients were helped by other treatment before Photonic Stimulator)
Treatments included:
Physiotherapy
Trigger Joint Injections
Sympathetic Nerve Blocks
I.V. Lidocaine
Bier Blocks with Guanethidine or Bretylium
RSD - 13 Patients
(at end of treatment with Photonic Stimulator)
Worse after treatment - 1 Patients
Unchanged after treatment - 1 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 2 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 9 Patients
RSD - 13 Patients
(at present time - September, 1999)
Worse after treatment - 2 Patients
Unchanged after treatment - 3 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 3 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 4 Patients
All better - 1 Patient
Tension Headache - 13 Patients (10 patients helped by
other means before treatment with Stimulator)
Treatments Included:
Physiotherapy
I.V. Lidocaine
Oral Medication
Trigger Point Injections
Scalp Nerve Blocks
Tension Headache - 13 Patients (at end of treatment
with Photonic Stimulator)
Worse after treatment - 1 Patients
Unchanged after treatment - 4 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 3 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 5 Patients
Tension Headache - 13 Patients (at present time - September,
1999)
Worse after treatment - 2 Patients
Unchanged after treatment - 3 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 6 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 2 Patients
Leg/Hip/Knee Pain (at end of treatment with Photonic
Stimulator)
Worse after treatment - 2 Patients
Unchanged after treatment - 2 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 4 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 2 Patients
Leg/Hip/Knee Pain (at present time - September, 1999)
Worse after treatment - 2 Patients
Unchanged after treatment - 3 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 3 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 2 Patients
Diabetic Neuropathy - 3 Patients (1 patient helped by
other treatments)
Treatments Included:
Oral Medication
Sympathetic Blocks
Diabetic Neuropathy - 3 Patients (at end of treatment
with Photonic Stimulator)
Significantly better after treatment - 2 Patients
All better - 1 Patient
Diabetic Neuropathy - 3 Patients (at present time -
September, 1999)
Worse after treatment - 1 Patients
All better - 2 Patient
Myofascial Pain- 5 Patients
(4 patients were helped by other treatments)
(1 patient was not helped by other treatments)
Treatments Included:
Trigger Point Injections
I.V. Lidocaine
Tricyclic Anti-depressants
Myofascial Pain - 5 Patients (at end of treatment with
Photonic Stimulator)
Unchanged after treatment - 1 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 1 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 3 Patients
Myofascial Pain - 5 Patients (at present time - September,
1999)
Unchanged after treatment - 1 Patients
Slightly better after treatment - 3 Patients
Significantly better after treatment - 1 Patients
One patient able to return to work as a result of the treatments.
None of the other patients are working.
Recurrences
Less that one week - 27 patients
Less than one month - 3 patients
Less than three months - 8 patients
More than three months - 8 patients
Total - 46 patients
Improved with no recurrence - 15
Change in Work Status
Not working to working part-time - 1
Not working to working full-time - 5
Part-time to working full-time - 2
Not working to looking for work - 1
Full-time to working part-time - 0
Full-time to not working - 0
Part-time to not working - 0
Total with improved work status - 9
Total with decreased work status - 0
Concerns:
Three of four Diabetic Neuropathy patients appeared to get an
exacerbation of infection after treatments.
One patient died of cancer of the lung three months after treatment.
Diagnosed six weeks before death, but our infrared images may
have shown tumor.
A 38 year old female patient with a family history of heart disease
had a heart attack two weeks after treatment. She had good pain
relief, but now appears to have fulminant progression of her coronary
artery disease.
FURTHER
READINGS
Beckerman, H. Et al The Efficacy of Laser Therapy
for Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders: a Criteria-Based Meta-Analysis
of Randomized Clinical Trials Physical Therapy 1992;72: 483-91
Getson, Phillip DO USE OF
THERMOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CRPS: A PHYSICIAN’S OPINION
Pain Practitioner 2006 Vol. 16 No. 1 (see review article in this
file).
Kara, T. Photo biological Fundamentals of Low Power Laser Therapy,
Journal of Quantum Electronics, 1987:23 1707-13
Klaber, Tom. Ending Pain with Light, Alternative
Medicine, November 1999. To read click on pages:
page
1,
Photon Therapy Brightens the Future, Swaha Devi,
Alternative Medicine, September 2000
Young, S. et al. Macrophage Responsiveness to Light
Therapy, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 9, 495, 1989.
UPDATES:
UPDATE MAY 2001: COMING SOON!
Dr Pollett's follow up survey of treatment of CRPS patients with
the photonic stimulator.
UPDATE March 2002: "Infrared Light Therapy in the
Treatment of Chronic Pain" in Today's Therapeutic
Trends (2002) has been published in the fourth quarter issue.
We congratulate Dr Pollett on his hard work!
UDPATE July 2003: Dr Pollett has indicated that
in his practice, based on his statistics for treating RSD/CRPS
patients with photon therapy, that the success rate is 60%.
UPDATE October 2005: Dr Pollett has successfully
treated many RSD/CRPS patients since he began using the photonic
stimulator in 1998. For updated information, please contact PARC.
UPDATE February 2007: PARC has expanded photon
information to include FAQ's. advantages, effects on pain, wound
healing and mechanism of action of photon therapy.
To find a photon practitioner in
your area, please contact PARC.
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