Excerpted from Color and Crystals, Second Revised Edition by Joy Gardner (not yet published):

Low level hand-held lasers have been used throughout the world for about thirty years. Through this amazing light technology, it is now possible to have unbelievably rapid pain relief, wound healing, and even muscle and bone healing. Over 2000 clinical studies in Russia, Israel, Korea, the U.S. and other countries have shown that low level laser therapy (LLLT) is effective to heal a wide variety of ailments.

These remarkable broad spectrum results can occur because of the amazing light technology in which photons (light packets) harmlessly stimulate the cells to initiate bio-chemical reactions which allow the cells to perform optimally. They can re-energize damaged cell membranes to allow transport of essential nutrients across cell walls, since nutrients will not cross the depolarized membrane of an injured or sick cell wall. This then allows healthy new cells to grow more rapidly.

This is accomplished by stimulating cells to increase the production of two major healing enzymes of the oxidation chain by as much as 75%, thus creating improved oxygen and glucose metabolism. The laser energy is absorbed by metabolically active pigments of the mitochondria in various cutaneous and subcutaneous layers of the skin. The rate of mitosis or cell reproduction is significantly improved and the nuclear apparatus of the DNA-RNA-protein system is stimulated.

With the laser, pain is rapidly reduced by stimulating cells to produce their own endorphins, which are a natural pain-killer. Pain normally results from trauma, inflammation, and cellular disruption or malfunction. Healing and pain relief come with cellular normalization. The immune system receives a huge boost by increasing the number of white blood cells by 400-900% within a few minutes. Wound healing is remarkably rapid and efficient because there is a larger quantity of granulation tissue and accelerated production of epithelium, the cells and cementing substance of the skin that covers external and internal surfaces of the body, including the lining of blood vessels and other small cavities.

They can also help to regenerate peripheral nerve axons after injury and prevent central nerve degeneration. The photons stimulate the sodium/calcium pump mechanism in the cell membrane to allow essential nutrients to transfer from the blood into the cell, which results in an increase in cellular activity and improves the concentration of ATP (which gives usable energy) up to 200%. This in turn increases protein synthesis for greater production of prostaglandins and enzymes. The photons can also increase the speed of bone repair by stimulating fibroblasts and osteoblasts that promote the formation of callus for bone healing.

They encourage the formation of collagen & cartilage in damaged joints, and stimulate the repair of tendons and ligaments while reducing inflammation by as much as 75%. And they can help regulate muscle tissue, including the myocardium or heart muscle. Photons in hand held lasers also can be used to regenerate the skin. The laser is used upon wrinkles, cellulite, and varicose veins. Its amazing rejuvenating effects are made possible by enhanced collagen and fibroblast formation, which improves tissue strength. The nerves and blood vessels experience improved dilation, resulting in better microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, which reduces swelling.  

References are available by request.