Polaris HP - high power laser therapy unit

The article presents detailed description and application of the Polaris HP S high power laser therapy unit.

The Polaris HP S high power laser is a device with a peak power of 18 W that is emitted from two wavelengths of 808 and 980 nm. For this reason the therapy is very complicated, if not the most complicated of all the physical therapies, therefore the correct selection of the parameters is fundamental to obtain beneficial biological reactions, and therefore desired therapeutic effects.

Polaris HP high power laser therapy unit

High power laser – average power:

High power laser therapy consists of the use of lasers with a power greater than 500 mW for therapeutic purposes. In practice, lasers with a power greater than 2 W are used, since it is assumed that above these values a thermal effect and deeper penetrations can be obtained.

High power laser – operating mode:

Continuous treatments – used for the therapy of tissues located under the skin in chronic conditions, e.g. heel spur, ligament overload disorders.
Pulse mode – used in most localized lesions under a small amount of subcutaneous tissue. They can be used in the sub-acute state. For example, golfer/tennis elbow, changes due to overloading and post-traumatic conditions of the shoulders, ankles, strains, tendon pathologies due to overloading, etc.
Treatments in Superpulse mode: they are used in the case of deeper lesions or in people with high muscle mass or a thicker layer of adipose tissue.

It is important to remember that high power laser therapy in patients with type IV-VI skin according to the Fitzpatrick scale can only be performed in pulse mode, or in superpulse mode! This is due to the high melanin content that absorbs laser radiation.

High power laser – pulse frequency

High power laser treatments must be performed with a frequency that is appropriate for the type of pathology and the patient’s condition. The following parameters are assumed:

2 – 100 Hz has analgesic effects
500 – 1000 Hz has biostimulant effects.
Over 2000 Hz has anti-inflammatory effects.

High power laser – work cycle (pulse time + pause):

Up to 50% is used in subacute conditions or during the first treatments, to reduce the amount of energy in the tissue.
Over 50% is applicable in chronic conditions.

High power laser therapy is very resentful, so keep in mind that the work cycle factor limits the average power and the power-cycle ratio must always be taken into account.

For example, output power 4 W – duty cycle 100% = average power 4 W

Output power 4 W – duty cycle 50% = average power 2 W

High power laser – dosage:

High power laser therapy allows a much higher dosage than low power laser applications.

Subacute or exacerbating conditions: 10 to 50 J / cm2
Chronic conditions: 30 to 100 J / cm2

High power laser – adapters:

High power laser therapy can be performed using one of the following three adapters:

1-cm² adapter – used to expose small areas, e.g. tendons, small joints, trigger points.
5-cm² adapter – used to expose larger surfaces, such as muscle injuries, hematomas, changes in larger joints.
DILA (Deep Intratissue Laser Adapter): used for an effective and precise deep tissue therapy, such as deep intramuscular lesions, deep scars or trigger points. Warning! Use only the dynamic method

Polaris HP probes

High power laser – therapy execution techniques

High power laser therapy is performed using the following techniques:

Static technique: the device is kept in a point, perpendicular to the skin. It is mainly used to irradiate small areas or accurately localized lesions.
Dynamic technique: the device is moved slowly without pressure, perpendicular to the skin. It is used in most cases.
Combined technique: it is used more often when applied to the muscles or when there are painful points in the area associated with the disease.

High power laser – factors to pay particular attention to:

In order for the treatments to bring the desired effect, it is necessary to pay attention to the selection of parameters, which depends on many factors, namely:

Age of the patient – for elderly and children the dose should be limited depending on the disease to about 2 – 3 W of average power.
Body constitution – for people with more muscle mass or a thicker layer of adipose tissue in the area to be treated, especially when treating deeper tissues, it is recommended to increase the dose.
Treated area – in sensitive areas, for example: groin, axillary or poplite, it is recommended to work only in impulse mode, cool the skin before the treatment or reduce the dose in case of too intense sensation of heat. You must also reduce the dose when applying the laser on the head or neck.

Polaris HP – high power laser therapy unit