Is this the future of alternative and modern medicine?

Alternative medicine has evolved over the years. These days, technology is used to cure certain diseases and to improve one’s overall well-being. One of these new technologies is what they call Low Level Laser Technology—LLLT for short.

Discovered by Hungarian physician and surgeon Endre Mester in the 1960s, the idea behind LLLT is that laser light—at low, non-deadly levels—can help treat certain conditions. During Mester’s discovery of LLLT, he found that these low-level lasers—specifically red light—helps in stimulating hair growth and in improving wound healing.

Since Mester’s discovery, LLLT has evolved to have specific functions based on the laser light used. In its most current iteration, LLLT makes use of five different laser lights, each having a specific function. Here’s a quick overview of the role of each laser color:

Red – immune system and energy boost

Blue – anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and anti-bacterial

Green – improve blood circulation

Yellow – stimulate the production of Vitamin D and Serotonin (aka happy hormones)

Ultraviolet – anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-parasitic

Heilen Medical Wellness is one of the few clinics in the country to offer LLLT. The idea of a light-based treatment (photobiomodulation in its technical, non-layman definition) is something new and unconventional, so I had to try it for myself.

How is the experience?

Before the treatment is started, the nurse gets your vital signs as part of their SOP and to ensure that the patient is ready for the treatment. Once everything is clear, the patient receives the usual IV insertion. It looks pretty typical until the nurse begins to insert the fiber optic cable line.

When all is set, the nurse programs the photobiomodulation machine according to the patient’s needs. In my experience, the setting was 10 minutes for every color. I tried four colors (red, blue, green, and yellow), so the whole treatment lasted around 40 minutes.

Then the fun part begins: once they activate the low-level diode lasers, all you see is the bright color of the laser passing through the fiber optic cable, entering to your body via the blood vessels.

Unlike the normal IV treatment, you barely feel any discomfort while the laser light enters your body. In fact, I was able to browse my social media channels on my phone using the hand where I have an IV insertion. Together with the comfortable LaZ Boy-like seats, the treatment is generally a painless experience.

Is it effective?

While Heilen Medical Wellness suggests that you need to undergo several sessions (they suggest at least 10 sessions) to feel the effects of LLLT, I felt more energized and less lethargic after the treatment. I could not vouch for what all four laser lights aim to provide, I find it promising.

However, my hesitation about this treatment is the price: ranging anywhere between Php 4,000 to 8,000 per session (price varies depending on the number of laser lights to be used), the LLLT’s asking price is pretty steep. This is pretty understandable since Heilen is one of the few (if not the only) wellness centers to have this tech. Being new tech, we hope that innovations can make the prices more affordable to clients in the future.

Heilen Medical Wellness is located at Upper Basement, 111 Paseo De Roxas Bldg.
Paseo de Roxas Street cor. Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City, Philippines. You can check out their services here, along with their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. You can reach Heilen Wellness via phone with these numbers: +639178665226 and 5411923.