The science behind BIOFLEX
Compared to traditional treatment, patients recover from
musculoskeletal and peripheral nerve injuries with less scar tissue,
accelerated cell regeneration, and improved function.
Laser Therapy interacts with photoreceptors to produce photochemical reactions that have a positive effect on cellular metabolism and recovery from damage and inflammation.
BIOFLEX® is the only laser therapy company that utilizes powerful Class 3b lasers together
with large surface arrays of bicolour LEDs that affect a large volume of circulating blood as well as underlying tissues resulting in both a powerful systemic and direct photobiomodulation effect. The overall clinical effect of targeting both the injured/diseased tissues as well as the surrounding circulatory system is an unsurpassed accelerated healing response and decrease in pain, inflammation, edema and associated symptoms.
The effectiveness of wavelengths of light with respect to photobiomodulation therapy can be characterized by the action
spectra of the target photoacceptors (e.g. cytochrome c oxidase), that determine the positive biological responses such as
increased metabolism, cellular regeneration and immunomodulation. The most clinically effective wavelength ranges are in
the red (680-630 nm) and near infrared spectra (840-810 nm). Wavelength is one critical parameter of light among other
factors such as dosage or energy density (J/cm2), treatment time and light delivery in pulses (cycles per second or Hz) in
determining the efficiency of absorption, depth of penetration and ultimately the clinical outcomes. The effects of
photobiomodulation are cumulative and can be clinically evident immediately after treatment or over a period of days.
The different types of light therapy
Infrared light
Near Infrared wavelengths are also known to be absorbed by
cytochrome c oxidase and other photoreceptors that result in
positive effects on cellular physiology. Tiina Karu was the one of
the key researchers to establish the photoabsorption spectra of
these photoacceptors as well as the ranges of wavelengths that
result in optimal photobiomodulation. She observed near
infrared wavelengths in the ranges of 840-810 nm were most
active, making them more effective for deeper lying injuries and
conditions associated with musculoskeletal conditions.
These near infrared wavelengths are much less absorbed by
hemoglobin and other photoacceptors that prevent light from
penetrating more deeply. As a result, light in the range of
840-810 nm are considered to be the most transparent of the
wavelengths used in photobiomodulation therapy allowing for
much deeper effective penetration of several cm. The actual
clinical effective depth of penetration varies as a result of factors
like skin colour, tissue density, power, treatment time and using
contact technique.
Tissues like bone, tendon, muscle, adipose and ligament vary
with respect how much light can effectively penetrate and
accumulate to a dosage high enough to result in a
photobiomodulation effect. When trying to elicit a direct
photobiomodulation effect on these types of tissues, near
infrared wavelengths (840-810 nm) are the most effective and
are the “go to” wavelength range to heal these deeper tissues.
Using greater power is one way to increase the dosage more
quickly in these deeper tissues. However, as power increases
so does the potential for an inhibiting thermal effect. Of course
higher power also means shorter treatment times which results
in fewer target photoacceptors being stimulated. Research has
shown longer illumination times result in a greater therapeutic
effect. The consensus on how to achieve an optimal
photobiomodulation healing effect is a balance of high enough power with longer treatment times.
Red light
Since the introduction of the He-Ne laser (632.8 nm) in the
1960s, the positive effects of red light wavelengths (λ = 680-630
nm) have been established both in vitro and human clinical
trials. These wavelengths are highly absorbed by cytochrome c
oxidase, one of the terminal enzymes in the electron transport
chain responsible for the creation of ATP. Cells and tissues
under metabolic stress due to injury or disease will repair and
recover much faster when exposed to these red wavelengths as
a direct result of increased ATP production and increased
cellular metabolism.
Red wavelengths are also absorbed to some degree by other
photoacceptors in the skin including hemoglobin and melanin
which limits the effective depth of penetration to the
subcutaneous regions of the body (approximately 10-5 mm).
Other wavelengths like violet and blue are so highly absorbed
by skin photoacceptors that they barely penetrate the skin (2-1
mm) and thus are not used in Laser Therapy with the exception
of treating superficial skin conditions like acne.
Red wavelengths principally in the 680-630 nm range are very
beneficial for treating conditions that are relatively superficial
such as subcutaneous bursitis, skin conditions like acne,
psoriasis, hair loss and eczema as well as wounds and chronic
ulcers. The large network of capillaries located in the
subcutaneous region will also absorb red wavelengths resulting
in a powerful immunomodulating effect by the activated white
blood cells, stem cells and platelets. This is called a systemic or
remote effect and it produces an anti-inflammatory and healing
effect that is circulated by the activated white blood cells to
injured and diseased tissues deep to the treated area. Even
though red light does not penetrate deeply, it can still be a very
powerful healing wavelength for deeper tissues provided the
dosage of light is adequate. The more blood that is stimulated
the stronger the systemic effect of photobiomodulation.
Clinical Effects of Laser Therapy
Class III vs Class IV Lasers
Class 3B
500-5 mW Athermal Lower
Energy and longer treatment
duration optimizes healing and
anti-inflammatory effects.
Class IV
>500 mW Thermal High energy
and longer wavelengths result in tissue heating and less penetration.
The medical subject headings (MeSh) for Laser Therapy is now called photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). Light emitting diodes (LEDs) and other sources of light have been proven to be clinically effective so referencing only lasers is not accurate anymore. The definition of PBMT mentions that if lasers are used they must be less than 500 mW to avoid a thermal reaction and inhibition of healing. Thus, any single laser diode with the goal of photobiomodulation should be a Class 3B when contacting the skin to ensure optimal penetration and provide enough stimulatory healing energy but not cause thermal tissue damage.
Laser Therapeutic Platforms
The therapeutic effects of Laser Therapy at the cellular level have proven to increase ATP levels and DNA synthesis and are
specific to enhance mitochondrial membrane potential and function. The light emitted using the various laser therapy systems
stimulate the photochemical reactions within the cells supporting mitochondrial activities. This can create beneficial changes
in cell behavior and accelerate the natural healing process. Mitochondria contain photoreceptors that absorb the photons from
light and convert these into ATP – energy that can be utilized to stimulate cellular activities and biological processes. Proper
mitochondrial function and ATP production are critical to the process of neuro-protection modulation, regeneration, cognitive
enhancement, and the prevention and alleviation of a number of other neurological pathologies. Laser Therapy is effective in:
Musculoskeletal Injuries
The most common applications are muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendinopathies, cartilage tears bursitis and other injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Whether it’s a sports injury, overuse condition, or an accident, the goal of treatment is to accelerate the healing process and decrease symptoms which allows the clinician to initiate manual and exercise therapies much sooner.
Wound Healing
Laser Therapy has been proven to accelerate surgical wound healing, dermal ulcers, diabetic lesions and all other recalcitrant wounds. This results in increased angiogenesis, neovascularization, collagen secretion and decreased
inflammatory exudate and provides epithelization of the wound, improved arterial perfusion and, regeneration of the local and regional tissues.
Arthritis
Chronic progressive forms of joint degeneration can be effectively managed with Laser Therapy. All of the arthritides from early to late stages will respond to treatment resulting in decreased pain, inflammation, stiffness and edema. Research has even shown repair and regeneration of eroded hyaline
cartilage when exposed to Laser Therapy.
(Professional Systems)
Nerve Healing
From diabetic neuropathy to
discogenic radiculopathy to carpal tunnel syndrome, Laser Therapy can accelerate nerve healing and decrease paraesthesia and nerve
pain as a result of direct absorption of light. Many peer reviewed clinical trials and lab studies have proven Laser Therapy is an effective therapy for nerve healing and has no known side effects.
