Skin lesions healed LLLT

Here is a very interesting case from Chiropractor and laser practitioner Dr Tom Scott.

A patient of his presented with chronic skin lesions believed to be a result of a lifetime’s over exposure to the sun. He had been receiving treatment for a month using Alderma with little effect.

With five treatments of low level laser over a two week period the results are astounding. See for yourself.



Visit 1. 22/11/2010
Pre treatment wound weeping and surrounding areas inflamed and painful.



Visit 2. 24/11/2010
Redness and inflammation reducing open lesions showing signs of healing and scab formation decrease in pain.









Visit 3. 29/11/2010
Noticeable decrease in redness and inflammation lesions are showing considerable healing; no sign of weeping and scab formation progressing. No pain in area.








Visit 4. 01/12/2010
Minimal reddening lesions dry and disappearing. Open wound above left eye due to knocking forehead on boot lid.




Visit 5. 06/12/2010
All redness gone, lesions completely healed. No pain or discomfort. Patient recommend follow up visit in 1 week to make sure complete healing has occurred. This will then be monitored over the following months to determine risk of relapse.

Chronic recurring ankle sprains

Dr Tom Scott, a chiropractor from Prestatyn, North Wales, has spent many years developing his own healing techniques with a combination of applied kinesiology, chiropractic and cold laser.

Here is one of his case studies so typical of sports injuries.

A young male football player with a history of chronic ankle sprains. He was told that the ligaments have stretched and surgery was the only option. As this patient had previously been under chiropractic care with me and heard that I now had a cold laser he asked if there was any hope of improvement from this approach.

Examination showed pain and tenderness around the lateral ankle especially inferior and anterior to the lateral malleolus, dorsi flexion and eversion was restricted. Past experience working with Australian Rules football I knew that often recurring eversion sprains of the ankle results in a chronic weakness of the tibialis anterior leading to or allowing an anterior-medial displacement of the talus bone. Testing the muscles indeed showed a weakness of tibialis anterior. This required a correction of the position of the talus bone. Strengthening of the tibialis anterior with the laser applied to the origin and insertion resulted in a slight improvement. This was followed by applying the laser to the belly of the muscle along it’s whole length along the lateral shin as it was tender and tight. Retesting produced full strengthening of muscle. Finally the laser was then applied around the joint itself for bio-stimulation of the structures of the ankle.

The patient returns for chiropractic care monthly as a maintenance programme but he is back in sport, feeling more stable and with no recurrence of his ankle sprain.

Dr Tom Scott has written several papers on correcting chronic joint conditions using AK and LLLT. These papers are available to members of UKITL.

Canine Cruciate Injury helped with LLLT

I’ve always been fascinated with the way cold laser works so effectively on animals. In some instances much better and faster than in humans. More than likely it’s down to their diet, exercise and the lack of stress in their lives.

Anyway, here’s an encouraging case study about a 6 ½ year old Doberman, Dexter.

Mary Chase Hopkins, a laser therapist from London was approached by a colleague requesting treatment for her dog. Here she picks up the story.

Their 6 ½ year old Doberman, Dexter, had just been diagnosed with a cruciate ligament injury and was in pain and unable to put any weight on his right rear leg. The vet had suggested surgery to insert a plate and pins which after 5 months recuperation should give him back around 80% of his mobility. They weren’t happy with that and in searching for other options discovered cold laser and contacted me.

After the first session, Dexter had an immediate healing reaction, with some increased swelling, heat and tenderness. This ‘inflammatory response’ is a normal reaction when stimulating the body’s healing processes. A week later I saw Dexter for his second treatment and observed that his gait was noticeably easier and his owner said that he had been sleeping easier, too.

Yolanda, Dexter’s owner, is also a health professional and decided to invest in a cold laser herself. She continued his treatment periodically and is happy to report that after 5 months Dexter is fully recovered, with 100% mobility. He’s back playing and chasing squirrels and is himself again.

Yolanda says: "I’m certain that the cold laser treatment made a significant contribution to his recovery and am very grateful to Mary for introducing us to this life-saving therapy."

There are a number of veterinary surgeries who now regularly use cold laser to treat animals. It is particularly widely used within the equine community. However, many remain sceptical or ignorant of this modality. The UK Institute for Therapeutic Laser exists to raise awareness of the benefits of cold laser both in the human and animal healing fields.

Pain in the Neck

Many people suffer with chronic upper body pain, either as constant headaches, or painful and stiff neck and shoulders. In a mild form these conditions can mean interrupted sleep and irritability, but in extremes can have a really debilitating affect on everyday life.

Often the only course of action is to take strong painkillers; this is because for many people their condition doesn’t respond to the usual therapies of massage, osteopathy or chiropractic.

Doctors understand the pain cycle, and sometimes administer drugs in an attempt to break it, but for many people the only way they can cope with life is strong painkillers. Not only does this affliction cost them the enjoyment of happy daily life, it puts a strain on relationships, the long term painkillers cause side-effects and the condition causing the pain sets in really deep. Long term, depression often becomes an issue.

The head is very heavy – in a woman it weighs about 4.5 Kg, in a man up to 5Kg, so the “tube” that holds it up – your neck - needs to have a strong straight structure if it is to operate without problems. To make matters more precarious this tube also contains some massive nerve and blood supply, the uninterrupted flow of which are vital to good health. Then we add in the big joint of the jaw (temporomandibular joints or TMJ’s) – and things get really complicated because this is where much stress is held. There is a growing body of medical professionals who now believe that the alignment of the jaw (tmj’s) has a big impact on the rest of the body via the unwelcome pressure on the Vagus nerve.

Many women have a weak upper body so when something causes the neck to lose its integrity – perhaps a fall, a difficult pregnancy, strenuous lifting, carrying heavy bags etc, the structure doesn’t always move back into its correct position. The body is very good at accommodating issues, so the result is that the big muscles like the sternocleomastiod, trapezius and others adjust under constant strain, the cervical vertebrae shift under this influence, and before you know it the whole area is operating badly, building up calcification and putting more pressure on nerve and blood vessels.

The result is pain; it can build up inside the head, at the TMJ and/or temples, on the occipital area of muscles at the base of the skull, or in the neck structure, or in all of them! Almost without fail the shoulders and upper back are also very uncomfortable, with deep muscles like the rhomboid holding hard-to-reach knots.

Fortunately modern medical technology is making progress:

Cold Laser Therapy is a gentle but highly effective treatment for this condition. It is a pain free, non invasive light which alleviates the pain and softens the neck and shoulder tissues; this breaks the pain cycle and generates serotonin, resulting in great relief for the patient. Cold Laser is used as a medical therapy (sometimes referred to as photomedicine, or biophotomodulation) in a tiny power dosage, as little as 5 milliwatts – not enough to light up a Christmas tree bulb. However the body welcomes this light, utilising the photon energy and taking the light as a signal to the brain to start making repairs and changes. It is a gentle treatment which leaves patients relaxed in a way they haven’t achieved for a long time.

Some people who come for therapy have had chronic headaches for up to 10 years – yes that’s every day for 10 years! They have usually tried just about everything, both allopathic medicines from their doctors and all the alternatives they can find. Luckily we find that this pattern can be broken with promising results in the first few days, after the fourth session real progress is clear and by six sessions we usually have a great result. No side-effects, no drugs, no pain.


Results from the recent Lancet review of Low level laser Therapy for chronic neck pain.
The Lancet report declares that neck pain is approaching epidemic proportions with 10 - 24% of the population affected. Health economic reports from USA and European Union state that musculoskeletal injury and disease costs €240 Billion / €194 Billion annually. The paper also reports that pharmacological therapies for neck pain are widely used but have "not shown any conclusive evidence of benefit" The BMJ agrees "There isn't any specific research that shows drugs help neck pain". There is now more evidence for the use of laser for neck pain than any other medical procedure. The Lancet report says "(Relief using) Laser for neck pain lasted for up to 22 weeks.Trials of LLLT for knee osteoarthritis tendinopathies and low back pain reported similar results". "This contrasts with drug therapies where the effect ends rapidly when treatment is discontinued."
Find out more:

The Lancet, Vol 374; December 2009
Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials
Dr Roberta T Chow MBBS, Prof Mark I Johnson PhD, Prof Rodrigo AB Lopes-Martins PhD, Prof Jan M Bjordal PT

Chronic Knee pain

Here’s a case study from Dr Tom Scott a Chiropractor from Prestatyn, North Wales.

A patient presented to my clinic with chronic low back pain. On examining the case history it was noted that he had chronic knee pain which had been sore and swollen for over five years.

At the time Mr N presented to this clinic I had only just ordered my Laser. A course of chiropractic adjustments was begun and as this condition began to resolve I was very keen to try my new Laser and recommended an experimental course of laser therapy for the chronic knee condition. (I was still very sceptical as in the past the hype had always exceeded reality). On examination the knee was swollen and was 40% larger than the other knee. Pain and tenderness was noted on palpation of the patella and medial joint especially around the medial insertion of the quadriceps. The patient was unable to walk more 150 yards before pain forced him to stop. His condition to this time had been managed with constant intake of painkillers.

From years of working with applied kinesiology, I tested the quadriceps and found them to be significantly weak on the side of the knee involvement. It had been my experience that the quadriceps were often involved with knee joint damage. I began the protocols to strengthen this muscle with digital stimulation of the golgi tendon organs in the origin and insertion of the Quads. This was vey painful as it often is and the procedure was not very pleasant for the patient. Retesting the muscle showed improvement in muscle strength. This was followed by a basic application of LILT to the knee joint including the popliteal fossa to stimulate lymphatic drainage.

On return two days later the patient told me that it was a little better of a couple of hours then back to prior state and Quads tested week again. The golgi tendon organs where very tender still from prior treatment and further stimulation was not practical to to pain experienced by patient.

As I was reading every book I could get my hands on about laser therapy I reasoned that LILT should have a bio-stimulatory effect on these nerve receptors. Application of LILT to the knee resulted in an immediate strengthening of the quads.

On consequent visits the swelling diminished the quads stayed strong and where able to support the recovery and after 8 visits the knee had return to normal size and the patient was able to walk up to 2 miles without pain. Due to the chronic nature of this injury and the amount of damage already done to the knee we decreased the frequency of visits to weekly and now to 2 weekly. The case is still open and the patient has an active life again.

IBS, Hiatus hernia and other digestive problems

Here's another story from the case book of Wendy Boast at the Sunu Centre.

It may seem suprising that a cold laser treatment can heal digestive problems – after all there is a massive pharmaceutical industry built on antacids and other (temporary) remedies, and the organs we are targeting are deep in the body. Doctors often don’t have a cure – just remedial drugs, and as the condition is usually not life threatening it is a low priority. Sadly many people live with pain or severe discomfort as a result – IBS and Hiatus Hernias seem to affect a huge number of people. The good news is that I have regular success with these kinds of problems – resolving them for the long term, not just a quick fix.

Many Crohns sufferers have long term pain, for which doctors usually often have to say “live with it”. However, a short treatment with cold laser can remove discomfort for months at a time. I have a number of regular clients who come for a treatment about twice a year to keep them free from pain; here’s a quote from one:

"I have had Crohns disease since a teenager, and still suffered discomfort many years on; with the doctors unable to offer more help. The LILT treatment has really eased the discomfort without any invasive issues or side effects. It is quick and easy and I didn’t feel a thing."


Hiatus Hernias are another example; the standard approach is antacids. These hernias can cause problems with the lungs by leaking acid during sleep, and many of us can testify to the horrible burning reflux in the throat at night. I myself had a large hiatus hernia (X-ray of barium swallow to prove it). The great news is that the laser can heal these hernia easily. Its been three years since mine was healed, and its only when clearing out cupboards and finding the old gaviscon that I remember that I had one!

IBS is another condition which afflicts many people, and although there are drugs available, the condition continues to restrict enjoyment of life for many people. However, again the cold laser has a great impact, helping people to live without symptoms for long periods of time.

The approach is the treat the Gall Bladder and pancreas, as well as the main nerves supplying the affected area. When light is then applied to the affected area the body is ready to start healing the issue.

Fast relief from debilitating headaches

Every year over £150 million is spent on diagnosing and treating migraine headaches.

However, if we include other factors such as loss of economic productivity through absence from work which account for 25 million sick days due to headaches every year its more like a staggering £2.25 billion.

Here’s a case study from Wendy Boast at the Sunu Centre, Oxted.

A fit and active maths teacher, this patient had suffered for four months with continuous, severe headaches as a result of a cycling accident. He had suffered concussion but no broken bones, however the main blow was to the left jaw, affecting his neck and head generally.

He was becoming very stressed about having time off work - time out of the academic year, the impact on his students and pressure on other staff but also he found his concentration and memory were now a real problem.

I provided him a programme of 6 weekly treatments; from the first one he saw a real improvement and his colleagues all commented on how much better he looked. By treatment number 3, we were able to focus on specifics; the overwhelming pain had gone, and the “hidden” pains were apparent, particularly in the right temple. By treatment 6 he was so improved that he could manage his normal workload, and any lighter headaches brought on after deep concentration (marking and assessment activity) were easily dealt with by normal painkillers or some relaxation.

He is able to manage his workload without taking time off, his memory and concentration are much improved, and he gives Cold Laser Therapy 10 out of 10!!.

LLLT brings new life for an injured race horse

It may come as a surprise to some people that low level laser therapy (LLLT) or cold laser is used extensively within the equine field where its application has proved to be very effective. Professor Gordon Farmer, President of UKITL and owner of Futurehealth has been treating both humans and animals, and in particular horses, since his practice began over twenty five years ago. Here's his story.

Bean King was a very beautiful five year old grey race horse. He had a quite distinguished race history, winning four races on the flat including the famous ' Ebor Handicap' held at York each year.

Bean King was bred by the Duchess of Bedford at Woburn Abbey on behalf of Stone Petroleum of New York and trained in Newmarket by Robert Armstrong. One day the horse had a fall on Newmarket heath and injured his back. He was subsequently seen by a number of different vets, including ones brought over especially from France to see him, but they were all at a loss to know how to treat him. The nature of his injury meant that the horse couldn’t move around his stable or even move his head or neck to eat and was therefore rapidly loosing condition. So severe was the problem that the vets seriously considered euthanasia. I heard of the plight whilst in the yard treating other horses. I asked the trainer and the visiting vet whether I could have a look to see if I could help. They both consented and I was given 30 minutes to have a go.
After examining the horse thoroughly with my nerve diagnosis system I concluded that he was suffering from what is now called "kissing lesions" of the spine.

I carried out extensive treatment to his lymphatic system and subsequently his spine with Cold Laser, utilising 3 different programmes at differing joules/cm3 and pulse rates. After the allotted 30 minutes the vet returned to see us walking the horse around the private parade ring.

Bean King went on to make a very full recovery, so much so that he was moved to 'The Valley of the Horse', Lambourn where he became a hurdler. He went on to win 'over the sticks' and carried on racing for a further 3 years.

This success drew a great deal of attention from the press and helped to raise the profile of cold laser as a fast and effective treatment for horses. Over the years I have helped literally hundreds of race horses back to recovery. Their response to this light therapy is astounding. The same results can be achieved on any animal and indeed many veterinary practices now employ this therapy as a valid alternative to drugs.

LLLT improves fertility

This is a wonderful success story from the extensive practice of UKITL President, Professor Gordon Farmer.



A very healthy, married, 31 year old female, had been trying for a baby for five years and had undergone three IVF treatments over a period of twelve months, without success, and at a cost of £45,000.

In 2007 she pulled a muscle in her shoulder and whilst treating her for her injury, she volunteered the above information to me and asked if that was something I might be able to help with. Her husband’s sperm count was perfect, so this led me to the conclusion it was most likely that the problem was a blockage somewhere in her fallopian tubes. I ascertained that she did indeed have a large area of inflammation around both fallopian tubes.

I carried out 2 treatments with LLLT over a two week period. The following month she rang me delightedly, saying that she had conceived. They are now the proud parents of a very healthy little boy.

The effect of the cold laser had been to reduce the inflammation, remove the blockage and hence let nature take its course. All this with no pain, drugs or side effects.