Thermographic Studies on Laser Acupuncture

The laser scalpel and the laser coagulator are representative in laser medicine. However the biostimulative effect of laser with low power is getting the focus of attention, since acceleration of wound healing has been proved by laser radiation. Recently laser acupuncture was initiated as an unique therapeutic application in Europe and China. In Japan the authors have developed YAG laser acupuncture system with three channels and reported its clinical applications1,2). Soon after that Ga-Al-As semiconductor laser was introduced into this field. Clinical applications of laser acupuncture have been extended step by step, but basic studies on the laser acupuncture have not been developed. Plog3) emphasized the effect of the pulsed beam was depending on the frequency, while the continuous beam was used practically. This fact indicates a clue to elucidate the biostimulative mechanisms of the laser therapy. The ex-