There are two kinds of light - the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures. - James Thurber
Chapter 6 Laser acupuncture With modern developments in science, especially in Laser technology, Laser acupuncture is getting used more, especially for patients who fear needles. Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser beams are high concentrations of energy in a narrow beam of monochromatic light which had been used increasingly more in medicine as well as industries, the military and other everyday technologies. Lasers are now commonly used in medical equipment for diagnoses, in surgery especially for eye and plastic / cosmetic work, and in acupuncture. There are two classifications of such laser equipment, the high powered and low powered groups. High powered lasers can cause tissue damage after absorption by the body and converted into heat. Low powered lasers, as used in Acupuncture equipment, however, are only supposed to raise the affected areas' temperature by less than 0.5 degrees Centigrade. In Laser acupuncture treatment, low energy laser beams are used instead of needles on the acupuncture points. Laser beam penetration of the skin is affected by skin pigmentation, the amount of fat under the skin as well as any tissue swelling or inflammation of the area being treated. Lasers commonly used are in the 5 to 500 mW range, (Termed Class lllb lasers) in the red beam range of 600-700nm and in the infrared beam range of 800-1000nm. The red beam laser has a shallow penetration range of less than 1mm, but the infrared Lasers can penetrate considerably deeper, reported as 20mm or slightly more. The rise in temperature at the points affected by the Low energy Laser Beams may add another dimension to how laser works at acupuncture points. The theory is, there is a possibility of the raised temperature causing improvement in the microvascular circulation and in the cells' function. Some people have compared this raised temperature to Moxibustion treatment in TCM, again a theory rather than a proven fact. Modern Laser acupuncture can be done with Laser pens offering continuous and pulsed modes and running on small batteries. The beam of light emitted is of small diameter, around 1mm. The small size and weight makes it convenient to carry the equipment anywhere to be used.