The clinical status of low energy laser therapy in 1989.
Low energy laser therapy has gained varying acceptance as a treatment for a broad range of soft tissue, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.  A controversial, but surprisingly large body of research with cell cultures suggests that laser irradiation can nondestructively alter cellular processes.  Unfortunately, animal and human studies are often contradictory and difficult to evaluate due to differing study designs.  As a result, the clinical effectiveness of low energy laser therapy remains debatable.  Nevertheless, the findings are intriguing and deserve further investigation.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55902.
J R
JR
Basford
D000698:Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000532:radiotherapy; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008022:Ligaments / Q000293:injuries; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*