DOCTOR Martin Jodlowski-Tan of the Myall Coast Health & Medical Centre has recently introduced an innovative therapeutic laser device to Australia.
Imported from Europe, where it continues to show impressive results, the new device includes two different laser elements - one element can be used to carry out laser-needle acupuncture and the other is a laser blood-irradiation device.
While laser acupuncture has been carried out for some time with good results, Doctor Jodlowski-Tan explained that this new therapeutic device incorporates unique techniques and technologies unseen in Australia.
Up until now, laser acupuncture in Australia has been dispensed using a single-beam pen or pointer, raising the obvious limitation of only being able to treat one point at a time.
"With the new technology we will have access to 12 channels that can each be used to treat separate points simultaneously," he said.
Dr Jodlowski-Tan believes the device heralds a new era for laser acupuncture therapy in Australia.
"Not only is this a new generation of technology, but it's the first actual machine of its breed to reach our shores and it has come to call at the Myall Coast Health & Medical Centre."
Both elements of the device, laser-needle acupuncture and laser blood-irradiation, offer a choice of wavelengths ranging from red laser light, green laser light, infrared, to various others prescribed for different treatments.
Although referred to as laser 'needle' acupuncture, this element of the device uses no penetrating needles. Instead, the laser light is focused in a way that it acts very much like a needle, without being one.
"The needles of laser light penetrate the tissue just as well as needles do, but without any of the discomfort or invasiveness," explained Dr Jodlowski-Tan.
"Being virtually pain-free, the use of laser needle-acupuncture is ideal for the elderly and for children who often dislike the discomfort and invasiveness of needles, while the absence of penetration makes it the therapeutic approach of choice for other patients," he said.
Those requiring skin treatments can also benefit as the laser channels can be adjusted so that the laser light is dispensed "like a shower" in order to treat larger surface areas.
Having access to a range of light wavelengths broadens the level of penetration and therefore the scope of treatment options.
"By using the infrared wavelength I can get approximately 7-10cm deep into the tissue, which means that I can treat people with back pain, liver problems, bladder problems, tissue problems, muscle spasm and neck problems," said Dr Jodlowski-Tan.
"The red laser penetrates a maximum of 2cm deep so it's quite superficial, while the green laser is very superficial and only penetrates about 2-3mm. The latter would be used generally to treat surface wounds, allergies, rashes or scars, and you can even erase tattoos with it."
Perhaps the most significant new technology concerns the other element of the device, known as the laser blood irradiation device or ‘haemo laser'.
It has access to the same range of frequencies as the laser light acupuncture element but differs from it as it introduces a soft, low-energy laser light into the bloodstream via a cannula.
Dr Jodlowski-Tan explained, "energy, in the form of photons, gets absorbed by blood cells to varying degrees (depending on wavelength and frequency of the laser light source) and then leads to enormous bio-stimulation."
This principle was developed through years of research by Russian specialists and was first introduced into practice in 1981 for the treatment of patients after bypass surgery.
"Astounding results were uncovered, including improved blood flow, improved skin-ulcer healing, and even regression of various forms of cancers.
"Diabetics showed startling improvements, and other notable effects included remarkable pain relief and the regression of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis," said Dr Jodlowski-Tan.
When asked about recognised side effects associated with the new technology, Dr Jodlowski-Tan told the NOTA, "they're yet to find any."
"The device has been internationally approved and certified, and according to our German colleagues patients can't seem to get enough of it," he said.
As for the cost to patients, Dr Jodlowski-Tan explained that his aim was to keep the technology affordable for patients in Australia, contrary to the trend overseas.
"We will simply ask for payment only a little more than our running costs."
Dr Jodlowski-Tan is also hoping the new technology will catch on with Australian health funds, insurers, and the government.
"There's something in the vicinity of 600 practices using these devices in Germany.
"They've even built entire hospital units solely dedicated to the use of these devices.
"The German government lends its support through subsidies for the use of, and research into these devices and technologies. I just hope the Australian government has similar foresight now that these scientific and clinical advances has reached its doorstep," continued Dr Jodlowski-Tan.
When asked if he feels the technology will catch on here as quickly as it did overseas, Dr Jodlowski-Tan answered, "I'll make sure it does, but really, the results speak for themselves.
"In my mind this is the greatest invention since penicillin."
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