Franklin, TN (PRWEB) March 10, 2011
State Medical and Chiropractic Boards are writing new rules regulating the use of laser technology; K-LaserUSA is a proactive participant in the process; Ensuring DC’s access to advanced technology to help their patients with safe and drug-free therapy laser treatments.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates medical devices to be sure they are safe and effective, and are honestly, accurately and informatively represented to the public. Therapeutic lasers apply a low dosage of red or infrared laser light to deliver pain management, reduce inflammation and enhance tissue healing. Photobiomodulation is the term embraced by the North American Association for Laser Therapy for this process.
Chiropractic is a health care discipline and profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Doctors of Chiropractic primarily use manual therapy, including manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissues; but treatment may also include application of therapeutic modalities, exercises and health and lifestyle counseling.
Lasers are classified by the FDA according to their power output. Class 3a lasers have less five milliwatts of power, Class 3b are between 5 and 500 milliwatts (or half a Watt), and Class 4 lasers are more than 500 milliwatts. Class 4 lasers are utilized in therapy, surgery, hair removal and even industrial applications. The wavelength (or color) and the power density (or concentration) determines the outcome of the laser-tissue interaction. Class 4 is the highest on the classification scheme, and since 2002 the FDA has cleared therapy lasers in Classes 3a, 3b and 4.
For the past nine years, Chiropractors have been using lasers to enhance patient clinical outcomes. State Boards of Chiropractic have begun to rewrite scope of practice rules to address the utilization of therapeutic lasers. Since Class 4 lasers encompass a wide array of devices, there has been some confusion whether chiropractors could use FDA-cleared Class 4 therapy lasers.
K-LaserUSA has been a proactive participant in the process. Dr. Phil Harrington, Manager of Education and Clinical Support has supplied written testimony to the states of Maryland and Ohio, and has given personal testimony in Texas, Iowa, Washington and California.
The Washington Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (QAC) held a meeting August 12, 2010 to discuss whether Class 4 therapy lasers should be on the list of devices approved for use by Washington Chiropractors. Dr. Harrington of K-LaserUSA was the only laser industry representative present at that meeting. At the February 24, 2011 Scope of Practice Subcommittee Meeting in Sacramento, California Dr. Harrington was one of two laser industry representatives present, and after the meeting was asked by Subcommittee Chair Dr. Hugh Lubkin to be on call as an industry expert.
K-LaserUSA will continue to be a proactive participant ensuring Doctors of Chiropractic access to therapeutic laser technology to help their patients with safe and drug-free therapy laser treatments.
If you’d like more information on therapeutic laser technology, or to arrange an interview with Dr. Harrington, contact him at 866-595-7749 or pharrington(at)k-laserusa(dot)com.