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- About The Seminars
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- Laser Therapy FAQ
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Irradia Education Laser Therapy seminars are strictly science-based, and are built on 30 years of experience in the field of Laser Medicine. The seminars are intended for MD’s, ND’s, DO’s, DC’s, RN’s, PT’s, L.Ac’s., LMT’s, or anyone with a special interest in the science behind Laser Therapy. The seminars are not instrument-specific and include both lectures and hands-on demonstrations. Each seminar covers two full days, and always runs over a weekend (16 hours in total). The seminars are held once every month, and take place in different locations around North America.
The theoretical components are centered around primary and secondary mechanisms of Laser Therapy, and how these translate into actual treatment parameters. Seminar topics include, but are not limited to:
Basic Laser Physics: Wavelength, bandwidth, coherence, power density, speckle formation, the concept of dose, frequency, polarization, laser types, and laser safety.
Primary Mechanisms: Photoreduction of Cytochrome c Oxidase, speckle formation in tissue, polarization and intensity distribution of individual laser speckles, and its influence on the photon absorption cross section, formation of thermal microgradients, speckle-induced mechanical forces.
Secondary Mechanisms: ATP synthesis; COX-2 expression; TNFα, IL-1β, and PGE2 levels; cell proliferation, collagen production, vasodilation, nerve conductivity block, mitochondrial membrane potential, disruption of fast axonal flow.
Clinical Application and Case Studies:
Practical Treatment Advice: No matter what instrument you have, there are certain parameters that need to be addressed in order to reach a successful Laser Therapy treatment. These parameters vary with each type of indication, and are not always easy to recognize. We guide you through the literature.
Consumer Education: It is not uncommon for manufacturing companies to make non-scientific, unsubstantiated, and sometimes quite misleading claims in order to market their own instruments. We have found that knowledge is the best protection against savvy sales people and clever marketing.
Group photo from an Irradia Education Seminar in North Carolina, April 2008. Lars Hode, Tomas Hode, Peter Jenkins, Joshua Berka, AnnAlisa Behling, and Charles Hughes were instructors at this two-day seminar.
“I have taken several seminars on LASERS and this one was the most productive of all. The information was overwhelming but very useful. I am going to have to take my time and go over everything over and over until I own it. Thank you again for being so helpful. I hope to attend more of your seminars when you offer them.”
Prof. Ronald H. Grant, D.C., Logan University
If the CE's you need are not listed below, contact us.
The Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners has approved the Irradia weekend seminars for 14 general continuing education hours. To apply: No application procedure. Retain your certificate of attendance and course materials for five years.
Logan College of Chiropractic offers 14 units of credit. To apply: When you complete the registration form, indicate that you are interested in receiving credits from Logan College. Bring a $35 check payable to Logan College of Chiropractic to the seminar. Logan will process your credits.
The National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine offer 14 Diplomate points. To apply: When you complete the registration form, indicate that you are interested in receiving credits from NCCAOM. Your certificate of completion will list our approved provider number.
Continuing Education credits are available through the Rhode Island chapter of the Association of Physical Therapy. Credits earned through RIAPT are valid in many other states. Please check with Irradia Education or your local PT Board or Association to find out if your state accepts these credits.
Tomas Hode, PhD, discussing secondary mechanisms of Laser Therapy at an Irradia Education seminar. The Irradia Education weekend seminars cover theoretical background and practical application of Laser Therapy.
Irradia Education is a leading provider of advanced education for Laser Therapy professionals in North America. Our mission is to provide advanced science-based education in the field of Laser Therapy and to promote the use of Laser Therapy in North America. Irradia Education is a sister company to Irradia USA, but with a non instrument-specific mission to create awareness and improve knowledge about Laser Therapy in North America. Irradia Education shares the vision of the other members of the Irradia Group: "To improve health and quality of life for people worldwide".
Tomas Hode, PhD is the Director of Science and Education at Irradia USA, and the main presenter at Irradia Education Seminars. Dr. Hode is a research scientist by training, with a special interest in primary mechanisms of Laser Therapy. In most seminars, Dr. Hode is also joined by other experts, ranging from medical practitioners to manufacturers and scientists. These include, but are not limited to:
Peter Jenkins is CEO of Irradia USA and a co-founder of the Australian Medical Laser Association. His technical experience includes the specification and development of laser medicine devices for manufacture, maintenance, reliability and usability. His vast experience has earned him a position as one of the most respected authorities in the field of Laser Therapy today.
AnnAlisa Behling, ND is a general health practitioner working with Laser Therapy in several clinics. She specializes in women’s health in combination with Laser Therapy.
Lars Hode is a world authority in the field of Laser Therapy. He has co-authored the widely cited reference books The Laser Therapy Handbook and Laser Therapy, Clinical Practice and Scientific Background.
Joshua Berka, ND, LAc works with Laser Therapy in his Functional Medicine practice, where he applies both Eastern and Western medical modalities to treat a variety of acute and chronic conditions. Dr. Berka practices both as a clinician and educator in the field of Laser Therapy.
Tomas Hode, PhD, Director of Science and Education at Irradia USA, and Chairman of the Board of Irradia International (left), together with his father Lars Hode, President of the Swedish Laser-Medical Society, and Scientific Advisor of Irradia International.
What is Laser Therapy?
Laser Therapy is a non-invasive, safe and effective treatment modality where laser light is used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing and soft tissue repair.
How is Laser Therapy administered?
The practical treatment is very simple: the laser probe is held in contact with the skin, or at a small distance, until the desired energy dose has been delivered.
What can be treated?
Laser Therapy has been shown to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair. This means that a large number of indications can be treated. See the "Indications" page on this website for more information.
Is it effective?
Most people respond well to Laser Therapy, but no treatment works for everyone. Approximately one in ten will not respond to Laser Therapy, or have such a limited response that it can be established that it is not the right method for this person.
Is this a new technology?
No, Laser Therapy has been used throughout the world for more than 40 years.
Is it safe?
Essentially, yes. Laser Therapy does not cause or exacerbate cancer, nor can it harm the body’s vital organs. Artificial implants, metal, or pacemakers are not affected by Laser Therapy. However, as with any other treatment modality, Laser Therapy should only be administered by a well trained practitioner.
Are there any side effects?
When a chronic or long lasting problem is treated, a pain reaction may occur 6-24 hours after a treatment session. This is usually positive and means that the healing process has started.
Will it interfere with my medications?
No, Laser Therapy does not interfere with any medications. However, it has been shown that steroid medication, such as corticosteroid injections, reduces the positive effects of Laser Therapy.
It is therefore very important that you inform your practitioner if you are currently being treated with steroid medication.
Is it supported by science?
Yes. More than 3000 papers have been published in scientific journals, of which more than 100 are double-blind trials.
Additional Q&A's are available in the tri-fold.
Numerous double-blind, randomized studies have shown that Laser Therapy is an effective treatment modality for a wide range of indications. Below are a few examples
Achilles tendinitis: Bjordal, J.M., et al. (2006). A randomized, placebo controlled trial of low level laser therapy for activated Achilles tendinitis with microdialysis measurement of peritendinous prostaglandin E2 concentrations. British Journal of Sports Medicine 40, pp. 75-80.
Acute pain (meta-analysis): Bjordal, J.M., et al. (2006). Low-Level Laser Therapy in Acute Pain: A Systematic Review of Possible Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Effets in Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery 24(2), pp. 158-168.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: Ekim, A., et al. (2007). Effect of low level laser therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Swiss Medical Weekly 23-24, pp. 347-352.
Chronic neck pain: Chow, R.T., et al. (2006). The effect of 300 mW, 830 nm laser on chronic neck pain: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Pain 124(1-2), pp. 201-210.
Herpes simplex: Schindl, A., and Neumann, R. (1999). Low-Intensity Laser Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection. Results from a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Investigative Dermatology 113, pp. 221-223.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Gur, A., et al. (2004). Efficacy of 904 nm Gallium Arsenide Low Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Chronic Myofascial Pain in the Neck: A Double-Blind and Randomize-Controlled Trial. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 35, pp. 229-235.
Oral mucositis: Bensadoun, R.J., et al. (1999). Low-energy He/Ne laser in the prevention of radiation-induced mucositis – A multicenter phase III randomized study in patients with head and neck cancer. Support Care Cancer 7(4), pp. 217-218.
Osteoarthritic knee pain (meta-analysis): Bjordal, J.M., et al. (2007). Short-term efficacy of physical interventions in osteoarthritic knee pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials. BNC Musculoskeletal Disorders 8, pp. 51-65.
Postmastectomy lymphedema: Carati, C.J., et al. (2003). Treatment of Postmastectomy Lymphedema with Low-Level Laser Therapy. American Cancer Society 98(6), pp. 1114-1122.
Stroke: Lampl, Y., et al. (2007). Infrared Laser Therapy for Ischemic Stroke: A new Treatment Strategy. Results of the NeuroThera Effectiveness and Safety Trial-1 (NEST-1). Stroke 38(6), pp.1843-1849.
Tendinitis and Myofascial Pain Syndrome (includes Epicondylitis, trochanteritis, etc): Lögdberg-Andersson, M., et al. (1997). Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) of Tendinitis and Myofascial Pains – A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study. LLLT 9, pp. 79-86.
Tinnitus: Gungor, A., et al. (2007). Effectiveness of transmeatal low power laser irradiation for chronic tinnitus. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 122(5), pp. 447-451.
The leading online resource on Laser Therapy. Laser World is the official website for the Swedish Laser-Medical Society. Laser World hosts the widely known LLLT email list, which is an excellent resource for anything relating to Laser Therapy.
The leading online bookstore on Laser Therapy literature. Similarly to Laser World, Prima Books is part of a larger group of resources linked to the Swedish Laser-Medical Society.
NAALT is the official representative body of Laser Therapy in North America. As a member of NAALT you receive a subscription on the journal Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. NAALT also hosts an annual Laser Therapy conference.
WALT is the representative body of Laser Therapy internationally. WALT is known for having produced the Laser Therapy anti-inflammatory dose recommendations (available online). WALT also hosts an annual Laser Therapy conference.
ASLMS is a large organization that aims to be a resource for Laser medicine and surgery in general, and is not Laser Therapy specific. As a member of ASLMS you receive a subscription on the journal Laser in Surgery and Medicine.
SPIE is an international science society with an interdisciplinary approach to the science and application of light. SPIE recently recognized Laser Therapy as an independent discipline, and it now has a separate session at the annual conference.
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