Features Research
NAALT Conference Highlights

Concussions,
soft tissue injuries, bone fractures and pain. You would think I am describing
an Emergency Room filled with injured patients, but in fact these were some of
the topics presented at the 12^th North American Association of Light
Therapy (NAALT) conference held in Palm Beach, Florida from Jan. 31^st
– Feb. 2^nd 2013. 

The aim
of the association is to promote the applications of laser/light therapy,
photomedicine and photobiology both clinically and scientifically.  With a diverse and highly informative
line-up of speakers – including researchers and clinicians such as physicians,
chiropractors, physiotherapists, naturopaths etc. – there was a wide variety of
talks available, which appealed to the 
equally diverse audience.

This
year’s theme was “Photobiomodulation: Molecular Mechanisms and Practical
Applications” and
lectures ranged from cellular and animal research to human case studies and
clinical trials.  There were a
number of talks focused on the relatively new application of laser therapy for
neurological conditions, including a lecture by Dr. Michael Hamblin, one of the
leading researchers in neurorehabilitation with laser therapy.  Dr. Paul Bradley, a physician
specializing in head and neck pain, discussed the synergistic effect of
combining laser therapy with other therapeutic approaches to treat chronic
pain.  Dr. Roberta Chow, a
clinician and prolific researcher, spoke about the interactions between the
immune and nervous systems for pain relief with laser therapy.

With a
strong speaker line-up, several breakout sessions focused on particular medical
fields, and a large number of vendors in attendance, the NAALT conference
provided clinicians with a one-stop venue for education and product selection.

There
are a number of excellent conferences or symposiums on laser therapy held
throughout the world on a yearly basis, including the World Association of
Laser Therapy (WALT) Conference, the American Society of Lasers in Medicine and
Surgery (ASLMS) Annual Meeting and the Innovations in Laser Therapy Symposium.

To
learn more about NAALT or to become a member, please visit www.naalt.org

Dr.
Saraga will next be speaking at the Innovations in Laser Therapy Symposium on
June 8^th, 2013 on The Growing Research Supporting Laser Therapy
as Standard of Care: Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations.