(This story is sponsored by Acubalance Wellness Centre.)

Laser therapy might sound like the stuff of science fiction, but it’s a clinically proven treatment that can help boost fertility, reduce inflammation, accelerate healing, relieve pain, and much more.

Acubalance Wellness Centre (888 West 8th Avenue) is a leader in Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation, for fertility. Founded by Lorne Brown—doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, certified laser technician, and clinical hypnotherapist—the centre has the expertise and experience to effectively treat a range of conditions with laser therapy, all within its holistic approach to health and well-being.

“What’s really exciting is Acubalance has been pioneering the use of laser for fertility in Vancouver and North America,” says Brown, noting that Acubalance is the first natural fertility clinic in BC to offer the service, which uses LLLT to stimulate blood flow to reproductive organs, regulate inflammation, and boost cellular energy production. It’s especially promising for couples coping with aging-related reproductive problems or who have been through repeated unsuccessful invitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. But the health and healing potential of LLLT reaches much further than fertility.

“We also use laser therapy for pain and injuries: neck pain, herniated disc, knee and low back pain, and for headaches,” Brown says. “We’ve used it along with acupuncture for frozen shoulder, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and shingles. We know how important the microbiome is for gut health; research has shown benefits of laser therapy for the microbiome, too.

“We see enormous potential for women who are struggling to conceive and for people dealing with chronic pain,” he adds. “You can read patient success stories on our website.”

All of our cells are powered by little structures called mitochondria, Brown explains. Eggs have about 200 times more mitochondria than any other cell. When follicles are maturing, they use a tremendous amount of energy. And early embryo division and implantation require lots of energy.  After 35 years, the mitochondria wear down. At age 40, nine out of 10 eggs can be abnormal.

Studies show that the mitochondria of older eggs are capable of producing significantly less adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the source of cellular energy. This has a significant impact on fertility, as the rate of division and successful implantation of embryos has more to do with the amount of energy (ATP) than with maternal age per se, Brown says. Consequently, the capacity of cold laser to improve ATP production of eggs may have an effect on their viability. 

Increasing energy level (ATP) in the cells, improved blood circulation, softening of scar tissue and a reduction in inflammation: these factors are all beneficial to female reproduction in general and to the receptivity of uterine lining.

Brown came across studies out of Japan by a doctor named Toshio Oshiro at Sanno Hospital. Oshiro had been treating a 55-year-old woman in menopause for back pain. Part of his protocol was to stimulate blood flow from head to toe with LLLT. Her pain resolved—and her period returned. Another patient, also in menopause, visited him for back pain. After being successfully treated with laser therapy, she resumed menstruation as well.

Oshiro went on to lead an extended trial of LLLT in 701 infertile patients. Of those, 22 percent became pregnant, and the treatment resulted in a successful live birth rate in 50 percent of pregnancies.

LLLT studies have also pointed to the efficacy of laser treatment in raising the quality of the male partner’s semen, in particular motility.

It’s a growing body of investigation that Acubalance is building on. Acubalance’s on-site laser acupuncture treatment protocol for frozen embryo transfer (FET) day for comprehensive chromosome screened (CCS) embryos has had a higher pregnancy rate and lower miscarriage rate in women compared to some who did not receive the treatment at a local fertility clinic. Acubalance is about to embark on a study with that clinic to see if they can repeat these results in a more controlled setting.

Brown cautions that not all lasers are alike. The type and quality of equipment matter. Weak-powered lasers are not going to have desired health effects. The lasers in use at Acubalance are sophisticated and effective. Dosage is critical as well. If you’re not in the care of trained, qualified experts, it is possible to underdose or even to have too much of a good thing.

In addition to LLLT, Acubalance uses naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, nutrition, Chinese medicine, mind-body medicine, nutritional IV therapy, and Maya massage to maximize egg and sperm quality, uterine receptivity, and overall health.

“Laser therapy leads to the regeneration and repair of abnormal cells,” Brown says. “The process results in the elimination of symptoms, including pain, and enhances the body’s immune system response for natural healing.”

Acubalance is hosting a free online webinar called Acubalance Pioneering Laser Acupuncture for Ferility in Vancouver on April 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To sign up, and to learn more about laser (LLLT) for pain or fertility and other treatments at Acubalance Wellness Centre visit www.acubalance.ca/webinar/.