Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

This episode reviews a 2026 pilot study evaluating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on inflammatory and cartilage biomarkers in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. We discuss the biologic rationale for PBMT, changes in serum and synovial fluid cytokines, and whether these findings move PBMT closer to being considered a disease-modifying intervention rather than simply a symptomatic treatment. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12972950/#sec1-2Ferreira, Nathalia Lopes et al. “Photobiomodulation Therapy Modulates Inflammatory and Cartilage Biomarkers in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Case Series.” Journal of orthopaedic case reports vol. 16,3 (2026): 315-321. doi:10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i03.6980YouTube ChannelView the many other episodes and videos available here Laser Therapy InstituteFurther Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesRead about laser research on the LTI BlogLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experience

Dr. Rountree is joined today by former Harvard professor and world-renowned clinical researcher Dr. Robert Wolfe to discuss nutritional adjuncts to healing and pain relief.Dr. Wolfe's studies have been conducted with support from competitive research grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Space Biomedical Institute, US Department of Defense, The US Department of Agriculture, as well as the US Olympic Committee, and the International Olympic Committee.Amino Co’s research, first funded by NASA, was developed by Dr. Robert R Wolfe, director of the Center of Translational Research in Aging and Longevity at the Reynolds Institute on Aging, and Professor of Geriatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.Fun Fact: Co-founder Dr. Robert Wolfe was a competitive marathon runner who set national age-group records. Distance running: completed 62 marathons under 2:30; set age group world record in 30 K (45-49y), won over 100 local road races. Still running and fueling his body with amino acids at age 75.Check out the science behind these powerful formulas at: www.Aminoco.com/LTI to get 30% off your order!"Essential amino acid supplementation in patients following total knee arthroplasty""Anabolic response to essential amino acid plus whey protein composition is greater than whey protein alone in young healthy adults"We do a live broadcast of the LTI Podcast every other week on Facebook. Be sure to catch our Healing at the Speed of Light Podcast on Facebook as well!)YouTube ChannelLaser Therapy InstituteFurther Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesRead about laser research on the LTI BlogLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

What's going on with this "new" laser wavelength of 1064nm? Find out how this wavelength compares to more traditional PBM wavelengths like 830nm, as well as the reasons to use 1064nm in this research review!"There are a few reasons for utilizing a 1064 nm laser. First, the absorption of water at 1064 nm is relatively weak, lower than that at 950-1000 nm and comparable to that at 900 nm (see the following figure). Second, light at this wavelength can penetrate deeper in tissue than other wavelengths shorter than 1000 nm used for LLLT because of lower light scattering. For example, 1064 nm light penetrates the human hand better than 660 nm or 980 nm, and comparable to 830 nm [data of Karl H. Norris, from The Science of Photobiology (KC Smith, ed., Plenum Press, 1977; p. 400)]. Since our future application of LLLT targets on transcranial laser stimulation or photobiomodulation, it is definitely beneficial if the light can penetrate deeper in tissue. Third, the wavelength 1064 nm is still at the upper absorption band of the redox state of CCO 1 meaning that a 1064 nm laser will be absorbed to stimulate the reduction-oxidation reaction of CCO, as we needed for this study. Fourth, this project wished to examine whether the 1064-nm laser was able to stimulate or generate a reasonable amount of changes in HbO and CCO concentrations, even using a non-optimal laser wavelength. For future studies, given the absorption spectra of water and redox state of CCO, it might be optimal to use a laser near the absorption peak of CCO (e.g., at ~830 nm) where water absorption is also lower than that at 1064 nm."REFERENCE: Supplementary Information for Interplay between up-regulation of cytochrome-c-oxidase and hemoglobin oxygenation induced by near-infrared laser Xinlong Wang1#, Fenghua Tian1#, Sagar S. Soni1, F. Gonzalez-Lima2*, Hanli Liu1* 1Department of Bioengineering, the University of Texas at Arlington, 500 UTA Blvd, Arlington, TX 76010 2Department of Psychology and Institute for Neuroscience, the University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton Stop A8000, Austin, TX 78712 #: equal contribution *gonzalezlima@utexas.edu; *hanli@uta.edu Read the primary study referenced in this episode here.Images viewed in this episode:Impact of laser light on tissue Electromagnetic SpectrumAbsorption of melanin and hemoglobinWater absorption We do a live broadcast of the LTI Podcast every other week on Facebook. Watch this episode here. (Be sure to catch our Healing at the Speed of Light Podcast on Facebook as well!)YouTube ChannelLaser Therapy InstituteFurther Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesRead about laser research on the LTI BlogLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

Chronic neck pain affects 10-24% of the population, which means that many of the patients you see every day are suffering.

How does light penetration impact your light therapy device selection?

In partnership with K-Laser USA, Dr. Jason Rountree is back with another free webinar! Listen in on today's podcast for an excerpt.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure and few treatment options. Cases of Parkinson’s disease have increased due to aging populations and longer disease duration.

Integrating laser with PRP can lead to better outcomes.