Integrative Medicine—Acupuncture on Yourself?

The aim of this editorial is to demonstrate publications on self-acupuncture from both the East (China) and the West and to bring new variants such as self-applied laser medicine into the focus of interest. Self-acupuncture with needles may of course only be carried out according to the applicable laws of the respective country and these are naturally very different. However, important evidence from the studies published so far has not yet been clearly proven. The answer to a question resulting from the editorial, how tradition and innovation in the field of self-acupuncture can be efficiently combined, will have to be proven by future studies.

Quartz-quartz type light guides with low losses and a thin polymer shell for the near-IR spectral range.

The issues of obtaining silica optical fibers with SiO2/SiO2-F composition (where SiO2 is a core, and SiO2-F is a light-reflecting cladding) with low optical losses for the near-IR spectral range are considered. This fiber type is widely used in various fields of science and technology, including laser medicine. The study results of the dependence of the numerical aperture and fluorine concentration in silica glass of the formed fiber preforms on the Freon (C3F8) consumption in the gas phase when using a waveguide-type microwave plasmotron at the H10 wavelength, are presented. It is showed that to increase the fluorimeters sensitivity in the near-IR spectral range as probe fibers for detecting luminescence, it is promising to use quartz-quartz fibers with the “Heraeus” glass core and the reflective SiO2-F cladding with an increased fluorine content in the glass (up to 7 wt. %). In this case, the numerical aperture of such fibers will reach values up to 0.32. For laser procedures in ophthalmology, surgery, phlebology and etc., optical fibers with a standard numerical aperture 0.20-0.24 can be used (with a fluorine concentration in the glass up to 3 wt. %).

Analysis of the Effect of Nd:YAG Laser Irradiation on Soft Tissues of the Oral Cavity in Different Modes in an In Vivo Experiment

The development of laser medicine has led to its use in dentistry further to improve existing treatment methods, including surgical techniques. The variety of lasers allows them to be used for procedures on the soft and bone tissues of the oral cavity as well as on the tissues of the teeth. The short duration of laser pulse action on tissues, selective action on pathological tissues in a sterile surgical field, and activation of local and humoral immunity of the oral cavity provides an increase in the regeneration potential of tissues of the postoperative area, which contributes to the shortening of wound process phases, favorable course of the postoperative period, and shortening of the healing time. Our article presents the experience of using the Nd:YAG laser in different modes in replicating the effect of curettage of periodontal pockets in an experiment on laboratory animals. According to the study results, there was a difference in the healing time of soft tissues after their exposure to several modes of the Nd:YAG laser, which makes it possible to recommend each of them for individual clinical cases.

Neuro-Photobiomodulation: Stimulation of the Brain Using Different Frequencies

Neuro-photobiomodulation (PBM) is a relatively novel optical stimulation method that is not yet generally accepted in conventional medicine. Therefore, evidence-based research in this sub-area, which is important for laser medicine, is necessary in order to provide appropriate scientific evidence for a better understanding of neuro-PBM. In this editorial, a summary of the recent results with stimulation using different frequencies (e.g., 40 Hz, 136.1 Hz) is presented. The contribution is intended to stimulate researchers to continue working in this promising area of neuro-PBM.