cold laser

She Loves Her Laser! (NKH)

So I’ve had my laser for about 2 weeks now and I guess it’s time to post a progress report to anyone new or thinking of trying it. Forgive me if it’s long winded but my daughter has a very rare condition, NKH and has a lot of weird and crazy aspects to her health and behaviours as a result of it. Lycine encephalopathy, also called non ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) but everyone mixes it up with non ketotic hypoglycemia which is basically diabetes. NKH is a terminal metabolic disorder where you can’t break down the amino acid glycine. There are about 500 to 1000 surviving cases worldwide but almost all are under 5. Me and Dorrie are incredibly lucky to have less affected kids with NKH but they are still very delayed, physically and mentally disabled, lots of medical issues and huge behavioral challenges.

Alice is 5 and although mentally about age 3, things like her fine and gross motor skill are probably even further behind. She can walk around the house and at school but uses a wheelchair for most things, she has lots of words but is difficult to understand, is 50/50 toilet trained (poos being abut 90% hit rate but wees not so much). Our big issues are actually psychological. Extreme anxiety, constant tantrums and screaming, raging OCD, aggression, self harm, hitting and biting of others, irrational freak outs and hissy fits over everything and nothing etc etc. She is also a terrible sleeper, waking several times a night and only sleeps through if sedated (it is a part of her condition so not unexpected) but can also wake with night terrors, tantrums, screaming fits and so on.

We only finished the protocol today as despite doing it daily I spent the first few days on just Prep and 1 to 10 to prepare her. I also went over Moro and FPR a few times before moving on as her fight or flight and anxiety was our biggest issue.

So what are my findings?
1/ She loves her laser! Someone on here called it a “Princess Laser” so I stole that idea and my god does it work. She asks for her Princess Laser daily and actually cries when we have to stop. She doesn’t sit still for it but she’s getting better.
2/ Biggest change would have to be mood. Her affection has skyrocketed as has her ability not to melt down. Falling over is now punctuated with “Ouch, I fell down” rather than an hour tantrum and she will finally accept a kiss or a hug to make it better. Stuff still upsets her but to a more “normal” level. Her mood in general is SO much happier and I’ve noticed lots of silly/fun behaviour rather than looking like she’s waiting for her opportunity to kill me!
3/ Verbally. Wow this has just gone nuts. So far no improvement in pronunciation but more words being used and putting more together. More use of “I” and “me” and “he” and “she” rather than talking of herself in a third person ie “Alice share Mummy” is now “I share with Mummy” and Alice did it” is now “it was me”.
4/Sleep. Not sure on this one. I think things are changing. She’s going off better than she used to but still waking a lot. She’s only slept through once in her live without sedation so it would be an effing miracle if we cracked this already but she is waking happier and less screaming on waking.
5/ Toilet training no change yet.
6/Gross and fine motor no change yet but she is asking to be carried less so I suspect although I can’t see a change she is feeling more stable.

Anyway so far it’s already been worth every cent and I cannot express enough how much we needed this. We were in a real mess, all drugs had failed (thankfully with hindsight) and with this and introducing CBD oil a few months back I am finally really and truly enjoying being with my daughter. Actually I forgot to add that she looks different! Its hard to explain but kids with my daughter’s condition can look a bit vacant or kinda gormless (god that sounds awful but I hope you
understand what I mean). Since the laser she just looks more “in there” like she more switched on and brighter.

Update: November 25, 2016
This is the Alice I adore. We have her back and better than ever. This is the girl fighting to be herself and when we get it right with treatments and medicines (or lack of), she is so damn awesome. Less meds than in her entire life, cannabis oil and daily home therapies using a cold light laser and a technique called Reflex Integration. Thanks Vanessa Hay for all her care and taking her to all these great places and thanks Bonnie Brandes for helping me learn the therapies. If we can keep this up she will rule the world.

Update: December 5, 2016

Alice continues to make great progress. It’s hard to fully explain how different she is. Not so much in skill yet but in behaviour mood and happiness. Its not an understatement to say its been “life changing.”

All our kids have different conditions but I am a firm believer that they are all “in there” somewhere, no matter how disabled. I’m so pleased you are finding your son. My daughter is about 6 weeks in and my god I love her. To be honest I wasn’t that keen on her before!!! I have the scars to prove it, quite literally. So happy for you, a head on your shoulder is priceless isnt it?

Update: December 6, 2016

Everything happens for a reason. Its all a big patchwork really and seeing what it has done for me and Dorrie’s son just makes me so hopeful for others, NKH has virtually no treatment options. The severe don’t make it out of toddlerhood and the mild often end up in homes due to aggression and self harm. Right now I have a very happy, funny, playful, sweet. loving child with a disability. A few months back I had a screaming, tantruming, self harming, vicious biting, scratching and angry child who clearly hated being her. I really hope this is a break for NKH parents. God knows we need it.

Update: December 7, 2016

Thought I’d share a more few great things I’ve seen since laser. Now I fully appreciate some would have happened any way and I also feel a lot of the reason we are developing faster is because we are no longer constantly melting down or screaming and tantruming. However without the laser the endless meltdowns and aggression and OCD etc would not have stopped so either way, the laser is at the core of this.
1/ Alice put on her first item on clothing 100% unassisted. A pair of shorts.
2/ She said her longest sentence yet “Look Mummy Christmas lights, I show you. Santa. Not yet”
3/ Instead of trying to kill and maim me she says I’m “her Honey” that she loves me “one hundred million and sixty eight” , that I’m “a good Mummy” that I’m “a princess” and that she “misses me so much”. Now we have had bits like this in the past but only when shes having a good day and not all at once. I know get this all day.
4/ She walks around counting to 15. Again she used to do this but I haven’t heard it in over a year.

This is all on top of the HUGE improvements in mood and behaviour. Interested though has anyone had detox symptoms in the form of an upset tummy? We seem to be getting a lot of big “evacuations” for want of a better word!

Update: December 19, 2016

I’m 1000% happy with my laser. Life changing beyond my wildest expectations. My daughter is not DS but CP, GDD, ADHD, OCD, Self harm, aggression, anxiety and so much more. Three months ago she was satan and foster care was even on the table. Today I cannot put her down, I love love love her so much and if her condition doesn’t end her life early it will be my relentless kissing.

All our kids have different conditions but I am a firm believer that they are all “in there” somewhere, no matter how disabled. I’m so pleased you are finding Eric. My daughter is about 6 weeks in and my god I love her. To be honest I wasn’t that keen on her before!!! I have the scars to prove it, quite literally. So happy for you, a head on your shoulder is priceless isnt it?

Everything happens for a reason. Its all a big patchwork really and seeing what it has done for me and Dorrie’s son just make me so helpful for others, NKH has virtually no treatment options. The severe don’t make it out of toddlerhood and the mild often end up in homes due to aggression and self harm. Right now I have a very happy, funny, playful, sweet. loving child with a disability. A few months back I had a screaming, tantruming, self harming, vicious biting, scratching and angry child who clearly hated being her. I really hope this is a break for NKH parents. God knows we need it.

Update: December 27, 2016

Leaving the house before laser:

“Nooo Mummy no go, no go NO GO!!! Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle, no doctors, sing twinkle, no doctors, i so sorry, i so sorry, Mummy sing twinkle, no go, no go!!!!!….”

Leaving the house after laser:

Bye Mummy.

QRI, Now He’s a Total Chatterbox!

QRI Update: October 18, 2016

QRI, Now He’s A Total Chatterbox! Okay so it’s hard to explain some of this stuff because it’s about just “knowing” my son. But this morning he woke up a TOTAL chatterbox. I mean, he’s always been verbal (albeit often near-impossible to understand). But this morning was much different. I opened the front door to get the newspaper, and he was so observant, “Mom, look! A spider! Mom! Look! The MOON!” (which was still nearly full land so big in our morning sky even as the sun was coming up. His speech was just subtly clearer and his sentences more formed. “Mom, where’s dad?” instead of just “Dad?” and when I was telling him to come sit-down to eat, he got angry and said, “Mom, stop it! I have to go potty!” and then proceeded to do so including closing the lid, flushing and washing hands which I usually have to remind him to do verbally – if not help him with (in his less complaint moments). When his dad woke up, “Dad! There you are!” and when he was driving me nuts, I said, “Go sit on the floor and work on your puzzle please.” He stomped to his puzzle and said, “No, I’m cleaning up!” and he put the puzzle away and just looked at me as if challenging me to defy him. (that’s pretty normal actually LOL). But the LANGUAGE instead of just using his body to pitch a fit!” His father was trying to feed him his applesauce w supplements and instead of just pushing the spoon away or slinking away from his chair, he said, “No dad. Stop it. I want mommy.” When doing his reading homework, he was NOTICING when he was turning more than one page at a time and he corrected himself. For the first time ever, I left him alone to do his reading book at the table and he did the entire book A-Z on his own (generally I have had to be right next to him to keep him attending). There’s just something profoundly more integrated – overall- about him.

Hands Grasping makes me bonkers. BUT this will keep me motivated. LOOK at how he’s holding his fork.

I want to add that the one thing I’m bringing to these sessions now that I had not been bringing to anything that I’ve done with Alex for many years is this: I pray to his angels and to other beings who I know support us and I say, “I cannot do this alone. I can hold the laser. I can breathe. But I need you. Alex needs you. I’m showing up and doing my part, now you do what you will” and various forms of that prayer. I am not a religious person but a very spiritual one and looking more demandingly to Alex’s angels and others to take the reins (which means, I have to let them go) has been huge in our day-to-day since I have come back from my two week “Escape” from life a month ago. Just wanted to offer that because I know I’m not the only mom here who feels the weight of the world on her shoulders sometimes. And lately, being on my knees asking for help has been a huge pathway to breakthroughs that are profound although difficult to articulate. I realize that Alex’s birth put me on a major crisis of faith journey. And it seems also, that he is demanding that I resolve and restore much of what had to fall apart in order to be rebuilt.

QRI Talk Program, Heidi McLarty

QRI Talk Program

by Heidi McLarty

QRI

I have practiced as a pediatric occupational therapist for 10 years, and have had a lot of training in various sensory integration techniques as well as in methods of reflex integration. I had also completed training in the Quantum Reflex Integration (QRI) program, but up until fairly recently, haven’t had much opportunity to use it. I was interested and somewhat skeptical about purchasing the new specialized programs that have recently been offered to use with the QRI program, but one of my clients I have worked with for awhile was interested in trying out the specialized program related to Speech with me. So I decided to give it a try. Here is my story, I have been amazed at the changes that I have noticed after using this program with my client!

Danny is a 5 year, 4 month old boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have been working with Danny since August of 2014 incorporating various occupational therapy techniques related to help Danny with sensory processing and self-regulation skill development. Danny was noted to be a very busy boy who had a hard time sitting to focus on activities, but instead loved to seek out all kinds of movement input through jumping, running and crashing. When I would visit with Danny, I felt it was incredibly difficult to engage Danny in any type of sit down fine motor or play activity, because he would quickly get up and move around the room. When I would try to interest him in an activity I would show him what to do and try to take his hand and encourage him to hold and manipulate things. He always seemed to make his hand go limp and would not even hold any of these items (even toys I thought for sure he would be interested in!). I wondered if he was showing some significant problems with motor planning skills and didn’t know how to use his hands to manipulate toys or understand about functional play skills. Danny seemed to be using body on body and body on object play and I did not observe him to use the highest level play, object on object play. During my visits with him and his family, Danny often repetitively threw a ball up in the air and caught it or preferred to jump on a trampoline. He did not seem to engage with anyone in his environment for very long, using fleeting eye contact and very limited and infrequent speech sounds or words. When Danny did attempt to communicate he would look briefly at someone, grab their hand or make an attempt to use some sounds or single words. Receptively Danny seemed to be able to understand directions and seemed generally aware of what was going on around him. Even though Danny seemed to understand directions and what was asked of him, he rarely seemed to respond to requests such as cleaning up his toys. He showed a limited awareness of referencing others using eye contact.
Danny’s Programs
Danny had been engaging in an intensive daily Therapeutic Listening program since mid August of 2014 to help him with sensory integration and self-regulation, and he had also been engaging in some specialized rhythmic movements as a home program from the Rhythmic Movement Training Program to further help mature his nervous system. Danny’s parents have noted positive changes in his behaviour through the use of these programs over a period of 4 months. They noted that he seemed more regulated and aware of his environment. In mid December, I had informed his parents that I had received a specialized laser program called QRI Talk and noted that I would like to try this program with Danny. This protocol involved using the QRI laser along with a special LED attachment on certain points on the body as well as using the laser to integrate 3 specific reflexes. I initially tried the protocol with Danny (running through it twice) on December 20th, 2014. During this session, I brought a small Tupperware bin with rainbow rice in it for Danny to explore while I completed the protocol with him, as his parents noted that something highly sensory like this was needed to keep him sitting for a long period of time. Danny was able to sit for a period of about 45 minutes playing with the rice, but was noted to move his body around a lot, even in sitting. I had requested the parents to take a note of any potential changes they noticed after this session. When I followed up with Danny’s parents in the New Year, they were happy to report that Danny had shown some tremendous improvements in his behaviour after the first session and that the improvements had lasted! (it had been just over 2 weeks when I contacted them). They noted that Danny was more interested in the world and what was going on around him and he was able to show more patience and better behaviour in activities like going for a longer ride in the car. They expressed interest in using the program intensively for a period of a week or so.
QRI Talk
We started using the QRI Talk program with Danny intensively after school daily for 5 days one week and 4 days the next week for a period of about 45 minutes each day. This allowed me to go through the QRI Talk program 2X each day. For the first week I brought the rice with me daily for him to play with while I used the laser. On the 7th day, I decided to move the rice away from Danny and play with some other toys in front of him. To my amazement, Danny was very interested in all of my other toys and started playing with them like I had. This was something I had never seen Danny show any interest in! He was turning small twist toys to make them work, playing with a rapper snapper tube that you pull out and push in, activating my claw toy to pick up items, feeding my toy dinosaur rice, scribbling on a magnadoodle and imitating basic lines up/down, side to side and circles, and he was noted to take buttons out of putty. His mother also reported that Danny had started eating with a spoon during the first week of the program, something that he had shown limited interest or awareness in before. For the 8th and 9th session, I engaged Danny in playing with a variety of toys, which he happily played with in their correct way. He even started engaging in playing with my marble works game with me (something he showed limited interest with in the past). He no longer needed the rice be able to sit to get the laser work done because he was interested and engaged in a variety of activities! In terms of his speech and language progression, he was noted by his parents to be repeating a lot more words and sometimes putting two words together much more frequently than before. His parents also noted that Danny seems to be saying words that sound more closely to the word he is trying to say, for example, his “good night” has become very clear and almost perfect, as compared to before when he would try to put two works together and say them really quickly such as “goonight.” He showed a dramatic increase in his eye contact and his interest in others around him, and would often look at me and smile when I was completing the laser program with him. Danny’s parents reported that this interest in others and eye contact has lasted beyond the intensive treatment protocol. One big thing they notice is that Danny is now able to react happily and playfully by smiling and laughing when someone interrupts what he is doing. For example, recently when he was playing repetitively by putting his feet into his father’s shoes, his older brother came along to have a turn to do the same thing. Danny smiled and laughed when his brother did this, as compared to before when he would have gotten very upset because his brother was interfering with his routine.
Results:
During the 2 week intensive where we completed the QRI Talk program 2X daily for 9 days (during the week days), his teacher and support staff at his school were not aware that he was engaging in a specialized program after school. I checked with them a week after completing the intensive program and they mentioned that they had recently noticed some pretty significant changes! The most significant of which were improvements in Danny’s attending skills to what was going on in the classroom as well as an improved attention to task. They noted that Danny participated more in activities with the class and needed very few prompts or reminders to do things like put away toys after finishing with them, or picking a new task to complete, or check his visual schedule. They explained that now Danny was completing a task, going to put it away and check his schedule right away, instead of wandering around the room and requiring several prompts as he required before. The school staff also reported that Danny seemed to be engaging in more functional play now with toys, rather than mostly “stimming” with toys before. He was showing an increase awareness of his peers and was using eye contact a lot more to attempt to engage his peers in play such as when jumping on a trampoline with another student. Danny was also reported to show more awareness of his own needs/adaptable responses such as covering his ears when someone else was crying (as before he was noted to not seem aware that anyone was crying and did not respond by covering his ears). Danny was also reported make a funny face and laugh appropriately at a teacher when he had made a joke! Danny was noted to be repeating more words at school as well. In addition to all of this, Danny also seemed more affectionate and cuddly with staff (which seems could have been a result of his increased engagement but also due to the fact that Danny had been in the classroom with the staff for 5 months).

After this 2 week intensive period using the QRI Talk, we took a week break before starting Danny with the QRI ASD protocol. We started using this one for 45 minutes (getting 2 runs of the protocol done each day) for 3 days the first week. Danny was noted to show more referencing with eye contact when engaging in activities and continued gains in engagement and functional play skills. His mother reported that on the weekend after starting the QRI ASD program, he was playing tag with his older brother! This was something that he had never done before! We used the QRI ASD program again 3 days the next week. His mother reported that he seemed to be showing less repeating of words lately and was questioning whether we should switch back to the QRI Talk. His parents noted that they are pleased that Danny’s changes have lasted, especially things like his improved eye contact and engagement in his world. We are taking a couple of weeks break and I look forward to more exciting changes with this child and others!

http://www.superiortherapyconnections.com/

Why I Decided to Purchase

October 31, 2016

I want to share my story about how and why I decided to invest in QRI and a laser. I have had several people ask me this question so I thought I would share here…

I work full time outside of the home. I am a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist). I work in surgery (and other areas) putting people to sleep. I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a masters degree in nurse anesthesia. That DOES NOT make me an expert on anything that has to do with reflexes or cold laser but it is how I gained my first insight into light therapy.

I used to work in a small community hospital and I was working with a surgeon who had a particular patient with a massive wound. He kept bringing the patient back to the OR multiple times over a few weeks to wash out the wound and work on closure. After a few trips to the OR, we noticed a significant improvement in the wound in-between wash outs. We all made comments about the improvements. The surgeon told us they had started “light therapy” on the wound. Everyone was intrigued and started asking questions. He explained the light promoted healing by “regenerating cells” and “promoting new cell development”. As a parent of a child with T21, these words brought me to my feet and I appeared over my “drape”. Of course I had to ask…. “Are there studies???” He said, “Oh yes there is or insurance wouldn’t approve it”. (eye roll) Anyway, now I’m a super busy lady and quite honestly, I let it go at that, but the seed of information was planted.

So, back in the summer I’m wasting time on FB (as usual) and I see Andi Durkin post about the QRI cold laser. I always love to see what Andi is up to, so I watched her video. I joined this page. I read the studies. I read Bonnie Brandes‘ book. I bought a laser. Yes. I bought a laser.

It is overwhelming. It is time consuming. I work full time. I don’t have time to run my daughter to 5 appointments in a week but I do have time to work in a 20 minute laser session on most days.

Since starting the laser in July I have noticed these improvements in my 3 year old with T21. Vast improvements in her gross motor skills. Climbing, running, hopping… She has made tremendous gains in her speech and communication. She is very close to being completely potty trained. Stays dry all day and at nap time. Still has a wet diaper in the mornings. I feel like she is doing so well overall. I know there are other things that I just can’t put a label on. I am not going say for sure it is the cold laser but I do know the laser is the only thing that has been added. She does go to PT and ST every other week and the therapists are amazed at how well she is doing. I will also add the laser isn’t the only extra thing we do, but as I mentioned before, it is the only thing we have added in the last year and I’ve seen tremendous gains.

This is our story… It’s just a story. You can take or leave it. I am always happy to answer questions but I am far from an expert or even a “warrior mom”. Most days I’m not even sure what I am except for exhausted.

I am so looking forward to the class in January!!!!

Blessings everyone… Set your intentions and shine on!!!

Just to be perfectly transparent here, I want to say that I am NOT employed by Quantum Reflex Integration nor have I been given any gains to tell my story. I purchased my laser and the class with my own private funds. I just wanted to share my experience because I see so many posts from people who want to know more about the laser before taking the plunge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started using QRI? If you are new to primitive reflexes, a good way to start is by ordering “The Symphony of Reflexes” on Amazon. Your next step is to order the QRI Home Program which includes an online class. Feel free to call QRI with your questions. 352-228-0410

Is this something a parent can learn and do at home? Yes, most of our clients are parents using the program in their homes. The program is easy to learn and most children love it. Many Parents see other children to supplement the cost of the program and laser.

What do I need to purchase? You order the QRI Harmonic laser, which comes with two laser heads, a free QRI Home Program, an online class, and carry case. There are other programs for speech, cognition, ASD/speech/behavior, sensory integration/movement, Unity (for DS and neuro-fragile children, grounding) that can be added now or later.

Who do I contact for laser operation and warranty questions? Please contact Michael Esch directly (not QRI) at michael.esch@vitalcreationsinc.com.

How long is the online class? It is broken into short segments that enables one to watch at their convenience.

Will the online class be enough for me to follow the program? Yes, the instructions are clear and easy to follow. If you plan on seeing clients, you will probably want to attend one of the live Quantum Reflex Integration classes to learn shortcuts, new info, and how to assess primitive reflexes.

What behaviors might I see during a Moro reorganization or detoxification as we begin QRI sessions? The Moro reorganization is a stage often known as the “terrible twos” that is often missed in children with neurological challenges. Brain reorganization and laser detoxification may not be noticeable for many children, but for others you may see appetite changes, sleep disturbances, mild emotional disturbances which may last between 2 hours to 1 week, rarely longer.

*Children with Down syndrome tend to have a more noticeable reaction, but also tend to make rapid progress afterwards.

*Do your best to be patient and don’t panic, it is an important stage for further development the child has missed.

What is the CMT? http://localhost/wp/crystal-matrix-transmitter-cmt/

I can’t do most of the protocols when my son is awake but so I do it whilst he’s asleep, however he gets awaken by the sound from the CMT. Can I please turn it off? Will it make a difference in terms of the result if it’s turned down? You have to run the CMT anytime the laser lights are turned on for 2 reasons. First, it cools your laser diodes to keep them from overheating, which shortens the life of the lights. Second, the CMT is what makes the Harmonic laser therapeutic, the frequencies are very important for health and reflex integration. So just turn it way down and it will still work.

Will the Harmonic laser integrate primitive reflexes without doing any of the movement exercises? Yes, it will! Movement of some type for everyone is important for our health and for reflex integration. The “Brain Boost” techniques are especially important for those seeing a therapist for QRI once or twice a week to support and stabilize reflex integration. Often Brain Boost techniques will be sufficient for those not using the Harmonic cold laser with mild learning disabilities to integrate their primitive reflexes.

Is it ok to just do 2 or 3 of the hand grasping positions? Yes, I recommend doing 2 a session.

Are the “acu-reflex points” that are mentioned specific acupuncture points of the body? or something else? Some are acupuncture points, many are not and used specifically for reflex Integration within the program.

Information about the Cold Laser (low level laser therapy/LLLT) by Robin Tolliver

In May 2016, I began researching how cold lasers/low level laser therapy (LLLT) could help children with special needs. My daughter, Presley, would turn 5 the following month and like many parents, I wanted to ensure we were doing all that we could to help her reach her full potential as well as assist her body to function optimally.

Children with Down syndrome and other types of special needs are challenged with a variety of issues. All kids are different, but there are multiple commonalities they can share to include, but not limited to:

delayed growth
delayed cognition
delayed fine and gross motor development
thyroid disorders
decreased vision, strabismus (cross eyed), amblyopia (lazy eye)
mitochondrial dysfunction, low ATP production
MTHFR/detox complications
altered sleep patterns, sleep apnea
decreased social interaction and/or eye contact
hypotonia
apraxia or delayed speech and communication
compromised immune system

In this post, I will provide the information I have found to support the use of cold laser and address some of these issues, as well as our positive experience using the laser. I will attempt to keep it easy to understand, and I will keep the source visible so you can see these are reputable studies and read further if you desire. There is also an abundance of personal testimonies using the laser for many other issues available throughout the web.

First, what is low level light therapy (LLLT)? LLLT involves exposing cells or tissue to low levels of red and near infrared (NIR) light, and is referred to as “low level” because of its use of light at energy densities that are low compared to other forms of laser therapy that are used for ablation, cutting, and thermally coagulating tissue. LLLT is also known as “cold laser” therapy as the power densities used are lower than those needed to produce heating of tissue. It was originally believed that LLLT or photobiomodulation required the use of coherent laser light, but more recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been proposed as a cheaper alternative. LLLT has now developed into a therapeutic procedure that is used in three main ways: to reduce inflammation, edema, and chronic joint disorders; to promote healing of wounds, deeper tissues, and nerves; and to treat neurological disorders and pain.Within the cell, there is strong evidence to suggest that LLLT acts on the mitochondria to increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the induction of transcription factors. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/⁾

We purchased symphony our laser in June 2016 and are using this laser from QRI which addresses using the laser for reflex integration. Many of our children, as well as most of us, have unintegrated reflexes. Using this laser has made integration easy with reproducible results. Many occupational therapists have been trained in reflex integration and utilize the laser specifically for this. The owner, Bonnie Brandes, was trained in MNRI. Reflex integration is extremely important with our children with different needs as typical development is delayed, therefore so is typical reflex integration. Here is an article explaining reflex profiles specific to Down syndrome. You can learn more detailed information about reflex integration from Bonnie’s book called The Symphony of Reflexes found here on amazon.

What makes this laser different? The QRI Harmonic is the only laser that combines the CMT sound frequencies with low level laser, this distinguishes the Harmonic from other lasers. Two low level laser heads are included, the main unit and an attachment. This allows you to complete each reflex integration protocol in one-half of the time and create a synergistic connection between accu-reflex points and primitive reflex patterns. The CMT encompasses the entire spectrum of frequencies that sweep through the laser diodes and through an adjustable sound system. Low level lasers work at a cellular level for Cold laser has shown to be effective for numerous conditions without side effects in over 8,000 research studies. The QRI Harmonic is practical for both professional and home use. Each head has:

2 5mw red laser diodes 650nm
2 5mw violet laser diodes 405nm
1 5mw infrared laser diodes 780nm

I have previously taken detailed courses on reflex integration and knew that it could take 4-6 weeks to integrate a reflex. Now, with this laser, I can see integration in one session. That doesn’t mean it will remain permanently integrated, just like one chiropractic session may not be enough, so conducting sessions on a regular basis should prove very helpful and build a more solid foundation. This laser comes with online training and gives you a book with detailed instructions, which also make this laser very different from others. You simply go in the exact order it shows you and at the next session, you pick up where you previously stopped.

How often do you use it? This varies depending on the age, tolerance, and symptoms of the child. For children around age 5, it may be a 20 minutes session each day. For an older child with more concerns, a session could be an hour. You can conduct these sessions every day, every other day, weekly, etc.. depending on the needs of the child and the issues you are addressing. Currently, I am able to do our sessions while the girls are awake. They enjoy watching a movie and frequently yawn during each session. My neurotypical 6 year old stated “I love the way it feels afterwards”, and Presley actually asks for her laser session. Many parents perform their sessions after the child has gone to sleep.

Side effects: I found no documented side effects from laser use. A few parents made comments about a headache, being tired, vivid dreams, and a temporary increase in negative behavior or emotions. Bonnie said this was not unusual as the brain reorganizes itself. I noticed Presley’s eye movements worsened for about a week then settled down to less than they were before. It is not recommended for use over eyes, thyroid, or cancer.

How can the laser potentially help your family?

1. Cognition:

* LLLT improves prefrontal cortex-related cognitive functions, such as sustained attention, extinction memory, working memory, and affective state. Transcranial infrared stimulation may be used efficaciously to support neuronal mitochondrial respiration as a new non-invasive, cognition-improving intervention in animals and humans. LLLT supplies the brain with metabolic energy in a way analogous to the conversion of nutrients into metabolic energy, but with light instead of nutrients providing the source for ATP-based metabolic energy. A long-lasting effect is achieved by LLLT’s up-regulating the amount of cytochrome oxidase, which enhances neuronal capacity for metabolic energy production that may be used to support cognitive brain functions. LLLT via commercial low-power sources (such as FDA-cleared laser diodes and LEDs) is a highly promising, affordable, non-pharmacological alternative for improving cognitive function. LLLT delivers safe doses of light energy that are sufficiently high to modulate neuronal functions, but low enough to not result in any damage. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3953713/ )

* We have shown, for the first time, that LLLT can stimulate neurogenesis in both the hippocampal DG and the SVZ in mice with TBI. Moreover, the treatment has been shown to improve spatial memory and learning. The likelihood that LLLT can induce the brain to repair itself after injury suggests that laser therapy may have much wider applications than that previously considered. Many diseases of the brain that are traumatic, degenerative, and psychiatric could be benefited if neurogenesis can be induced by an inexpensive, low-risk procedure without known side-effects. Moreover, tLLLT appears to be a viable and efficient stimulus for enhancing endogenous neurogenesis and to exert a survivability enhancing effect on the neuroprogenitor cells, thus increasing their chance to get functionally integrated into the pre-existing neuronal circuitry. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4189010/ )

* One popular warrior mom within the Down syndrome community is Jane Winans. She previously used neurofeedback with her teenage daughter Lydia, but stopped while trying the laser. She had a brain map performed prior to beginning the laser and three months after using the laser. She had this to say: “How’s this for data? Brain map Summary from Dr. Abbot:
Decreased beta and improved coherence are probably the most important findings. The beta would be getting in the way of any functioning deficits. (I think she meant benefits) No one does well when overly anxious or stimulated or when the brain is irritated. The improvements in coherence are actually rather exciting as frontal-occipital coherence is associated with reading smoothly, judgement, mood, executive functioning. Improvements in central and frontal locations may be associated with improvements in coordination, and strength. School testing – Lydia improved 2 levels on a standardized reading test since April. No summer reading program. Just laser.” (posted with permission from Jane).

* Excitotoxicity describes a pathogenic process whereby death of neurons releases large amounts of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, which then proceeds to activate a set of glutamatergic receptors on neighboring neurons (glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and kainate), opening ion channels leading to an influx of calcium ions producing mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Excitotoxicity contributes to brain damage after stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases, and is also involved in spinal cord injury. We tested whether low level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) at 810 nm could protect primary murine cultured cortical neurons against excitotoxicity in vitro produced by addition of glutamate, NMDA or kainate. Although the prevention of cell death was modest but significant, LLLT (3 J/cm(2) delivered at 25 mW/cm(2) over 2 min) gave highly significant benefits in increasing ATP, raising mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing intracellular calcium concentrations, reducing oxidative stress and reducing nitric oxide. The action of LLLT in abrogating excitotoxicity may play a role in explaining its beneficial effects in diverse central nervous system pathologies. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24127337 )

* Cerebral hypometabolism characterizes mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) enhances the metabolic capacity of neurons in culture through photostimulation of cytochrome oxidase, the mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes oxygen consumption in cellular respiration. Growing evidence supports that neuronal metabolic enhancement by LLLT positively impacts neuronal function in vitro and in vivo. Experiment 1 verified that LLLT increased the rate of oxygen consumption in the prefrontal cortex in vivo. Experiment 2 showed that LLLT-treated rats had an enhanced extinction memory as compared to controls. Experiment 3 showed that LLLT reduced fear renewal and prevented the reemergence of extinguished conditioned fear responses. Experiment 4 showed that LLLT induced hormetic dose-response effects on the metabolic capacity of the prefrontal cortex. These data suggest that LLLT can enhance cortical metabolic capacity and retention of extinction memories, and implicate LLLT as a novel intervention to improve memory. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22850314 )

* LLLT or photobiomodulation refers to the use of low-power and high-fluence light from lasers or LEDs in the red to near-infrared wavelengths to modulate a biological function. Cytochrome oxidase is the primary photoacceptor of LLLT with beneficial eye and brain effects since this mitochondrial enzyme is crucial for oxidative energy metabolism, and neurons depend on cytochrome oxidase to produce their metabolic energy. Photon-induced redox mechanisms in cytochrome oxidase cause other primary and secondary hormetic responses in neurons that may be beneficial for neurotherapeutic purposes. Beneficial in vivo effects of LLLT on the eye have been found in optic nerve trauma, methanol intoxication, optic neuropathy, retinal injury, retinitis pigmentosa, phototoxicity, and age-related macular degeneration. Beneficial in vivo transcranial effects of LLLT on the brain have been observed in anoxic brain injury, atherothrombotic stroke, embolic stroke, ischemic stroke, acute traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic brain injury, neurodegeneration, age-related memory loss, and cognitive and mood disorders. No adverse side effects have been reported in these beneficial applications of LLLT in animals and humans. The authors conclude that LLLT is a safe and beneficial approach, based on scientifically sound mechanisms of action of red to near infrared light on cytochrome oxidase, with neurotherapeutic promise for a wide range of ophthalmological, neurological, and psychological conditions. (source: https://www.psio.com/pdf/LLLT-of-eye-and-brain.pdf )

2. Mitochondrial dysfunction, low ATP production –

* Here is an article from the Journal of Pediatric Biochemistry explaining mitochondrial dysfunction in Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum disorders: http://content.iospress.com/download/journal-of-pediatric-biochemistry/jpb00063?id=journal-of-pediatric-biochemistry%2Fjpb00063

* Radiation of tissue with light causes an increase in mitochondrial products such as ATP, NADH, protein, and RNA,⁸³ as well as a reciprocal augmentation in oxygen consumption, and various in vitro experiments have confirmed that cellular respiration is upregulated when mitochondria are exposed to an HeNe laser or other forms of illumination. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/ )

* The influence of LLLT on the electron transport chain extends far beyond simply increasing the levels of ATP produced by a cell. Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain and is, in the process, converted to water. Part of the oxygen that is metabolized produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a natural by-product. ROS are chemically active molecules that play an important role in cell signaling, regulation of cell cycle progression, enzyme activation, and nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Because LLLT promotes the metabolism of oxygen, it also acts to increase ROS production. In turn, ROS activates transcription factors, which leads to the upregulation of various stimulatory and protective genes. These genes are most likely related to cellular proliferation, migration, and the production of cytokines and growth factors, which have all been shown to be stimulated by low-level light. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/ )

3. Compromised immune system –

* Immune cells, in particular, appear to be strongly affected by LLLT. Mast cells, which play a crucial role in the movement of leukocytes, are of considerable importance in inflammation. Specific wavelengths of light are able to trigger mast cell degranulation,²² which results in the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-a from the cells.¹¹⁵ This leads to increased infiltration of the tissues by leukocytes. LLLT also enhances the proliferation, maturation, and motility of fibroblasts, and increases the production of basic fibroblast growth factor.^31,67 Lymphocytes become activated and proliferate more rapidly, and epithelial cells become more motile, allowing wound sites to close more quickly. The ability of macrophages to act as phagocytes is also enhanced under the application of LLLT. (Read entire study here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/ )

4. Hypothyroid –

* In reference to chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism: The preliminary results indicate that LLLT promotes the improvement of thyroid function, as patients experienced a decreased need for LT4, a reduction in TPOAb levels, and an increase in parenchymal echogenicity. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20662037 )

5. Impaired growth – I mark Presley’s height on the door in her room every 4-6 months. This keeps me aware of where she is on growth charts and if there are spans of slowed growth. In the six months prior to initiating the laser, she grew 1 1/4 inches, which is 0.052 inch per week. Seven weeks after using the laser, I suspected she had gone through a growth spurt and measured her again. She had already grown 3/4 inch, which is 0.107 inch a week. So, her rate of growth had almost doubled. She also went up 2 shoe sizes. I was unable to find any data supporting this, but many other parents noticed the same result with their children using the laser. Some suspect it may be do to their child sleeping more deeply since human growth hormone (HGH) is released more during sleep. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8627466 )

6. Information related to retained primitive reflexes:

* Primitive Reflexes: Reasons Behind Why My Child has Sensory Issues, Poor Balance, and Developmental Delays. The three most notable reflexes that are frequently seen in later childhood are the Moro reflex (affects sensory issues), Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) (child can’t cross the midline) and the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) (poor posture, W-sitting and developmental delays. (source: http://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-03-primitive-reflexes-reasons-behind-why-my-child-has-sensory-issues-poor-balance-and-developmental-delays/ )

* Why a retained spinal galant reflex can be mistaken for ADHD: http://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-02-primitive-reflexes-why-a-retained-spinal-galant-reflex-is-mistaken-for-adhd/

* The Learning Hierarchy by Sonia Story:
The normal hierarchical developmental system, beginning before the birth of the infant and carrying on through adulthood. If the foundations—the primitive and postural reflexes—are unstable, weak or have gaps in their development, they will undermine all other levels to some degree. The motor, perception, speech and conceptualisation will also be unstable, and breakdown in any or all of these areas can occur, causing the higher-level functioning areas to also be affected. Although these stages do overlap to a certain extent, if a stage is missed, interfered with or not fully integrated, it can prevent full development of subsequent stages. Unfortunately the child will not ‘grow out’ of their learning and behaviour problems. The problems may alter and appear to improve as the child learns to compensate in other ways, but the weakness in their system will remain, causing stress on their system. They may also resurface when the child moves to more intensive learning situations, where the demands of higher learning are greater, and the pressure for academic progress is more urgent. (See here for full article and picture of hierarchical developmental system: http://www.moveplaythrive.com/images/pdf/integrating_reflexes.pdf

7. Speech – There are many reflexes related to speech and communication. I used the basic reflex integration protocol with Presley for the first two months. We then added the TALK program. Presley was diagnosed with “severe apraxia” at age 3, and we have worked very hard continuing to input despite the limited output. However, we can definitely attribute our increase in speech and communication to the current use of the laser. Presley went from 3 word sentences to 5 word sentences within a week. She handed me a book and said “read it to me please”. Later, when asked about her day, she told her dad about her baseball game by saying “swing, swing, swing, hit ball and run”. She had never described her day to him before. Soon after when arriving at a nearby lake, she immediately said “ocean, dolphins, daddy’s big boat” and began looking for dolphins. These were new words for her and completely unprompted. We immediately noticed she was also singing along with songs. She began telling me if her bath water was “too hot” or “too cold”. We had also worked very hard on the letters D, N, and T without success previously, but a month into the TALK program, she just began saying them on her own.

Here is an example of her spontaneously singing in the car to songs on the radio.

In addition to the TALK program, QRI offers other products with programs here such as ASD, THINK, Move & Sensory integration, and UNITY.

Additional uses for the LLLT which could be useful for other family members as well:

* Stroke, fatigue, Depression: LLLT has been used non-invasively in humans after ischemic stroke to improve neurological outcome (Lampl et al., 2007). It also led to improved recovery and reduced fatigue after exercise (Leal Junior et al., 2010). One LLLT stimulation session to the forehead, as reported by Schiffer et al. (2009), produced a significant antidepressant effect in depressed patients. No adverse side effects were found either immediately or at 2 or 4 weeks after LLLT. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3953713/ )

* Hair loss – Studies have shown that LLLT stimulated hair growth in mice subjected to chemotherapy-induced alopecia and also in alopecia areata. Controlled clinical trials demonstrated that LLLT stimulated hair growth in both men and women. Among various mechanisms, the main mechanism is hypothesized to be stimulation of epidermal stem cells in the hair follicle bulge and shifting the follicles into anagen phase. ( source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944668/ )

* Cellulite – Low-level laser therapy using green 532 nm diodes is safe and effective for improving the appearance of cellulite in the thighs and buttocks. In contrast with other technologies, LLLT is effective as a stand-alone procedure without requiring massage or mechanical manipulation. Future studies will assess the long-term benefits of LLLT for the treatment of cellulite.

* Accelerated wound healing –

– Tissue healing is a complex process that involves local and systemic responses. The use of low level laser therapy for wound healing has been shown to be effective in modulating both local and systemic response.
The study found that low level laser therapy (II) was effective in open wounds, which showed better regeneration and faster restoration of structural and functional integrity as compared to the control group. (source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336911/ )

– The reviewed studies show that phototherapy, either by LASER or LED, is an effective therapeutic modality to promote healing of skin wounds. The biological effects promoted by these therapeutic resources are similar and are related to the decrease in inflammatory cells, increased fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis stimulation, formation of granulation tissue and increased collagen synthesis. In addition to these effects, the irradiation parameters are also similar between LED and LASER. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4148276/ )

* Pain – acute orthopedic conditions such as sprains, strains, post-surgical pain, a whiplash injury, muscular back pain, cervical or lumbar radiculopathy, tendinitis, and chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulder, neck and back pain, epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinopathy, fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, post tibial fracture surgery and chronic regional pain syndrome are amenable to LLLT. Dental conditions producing pain such as orthodontic procedures, dentine hypersensitivity, and third molar surgery respond well to treatment with LLLT. Neuropathic pain conditions can also be treated such as post herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Due to the wide spectrum of conditions one would surmise that multiple mechanisms can operate to achieve pain relief. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4743666/ )

* Brain Injury or traumatic brain injury:

– Clinical application of these levels of infrared energy for this patient with TBI yielded highly favorable outcomes with decreased depression, anxiety, headache, and insomnia, whereas cognition and quality of life improved. Neurological function appeared to improve based on changes in the SPECT by quantitative analysis. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26535475 )

– (Using helmet) Researchers at the VA Boston Healthcare System are testing the effects of light therapy on brain function in the Veterans with Gulf War Illness study.The light is painless and generates no heat. A treatment takes about 30 minutes. The light from the diodes has been shown to boost the output of nitric oxide near where the LEDs are placed, which improves blood flow in that location. The LED therapy increases blood flow in the brain, as shown on MRI scans. It also appears to have an effect on damaged brain cells, specifically on their mitochondria. These are bean-shaped subunits within the cell that put out energy in the form of a chemical known as ATP. The red (600 nm) and NIR (800–900nm) wavelengths penetrate through the scalp and skull by about 1 cm to reach brain cells and spur the mitochondria to produce more ATP. That can mean clearer, sharper thinking. Naeser says brain damage caused by explosions, or exposure to pesticides or other neurotoxins — such as in the Gulf War — could impair the mitochondria in cells. (source: http://www.kurzweilai.net/light-therapy-for-brain-injuries )

* Alzheimer’s – Parkinson’s – Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. Several recent studies in animal models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease have reported that low-level near infrared light (NIr) therapy not only mitigates the behavioral deficits associated with these conditions but also has neuroprotective effects, slowing the underlying death of neurons. The first studies to report neuroprotection by NIr after parkinsonian insult demonstrated that NIr treatment reduced cell death, increased ATP content and decreased levels of oxidative stress in rat striatal and cortical cells exposed to the parkinsonian toxins rotenone and MPP⁺ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridium) in vitro (Liang et al., 2008; Ying et al., 2008). In cultures of human neuroblastoma cells engineered to overexpress α-synuclein, NIr increased mitochondrial function and reduced oxidative stress after MPP⁺ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) exposure (Trimmer et al., 2009; Quirk et al., 2012b). Further, in hybrid cells bearing mitochondrial DNA from Parkinson’s patients, mitochondrial movement along axons improved substantially after NIr treatment, with movement restored to near control levels. There would be several key advantages for the use of NIr therapy over current treatments for both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. First and foremost, NIr has the potential to be neuroprotective. A growing body of pre-clinical evidence indicates that NIr therapy slows or stops disease pathology. (read more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4707222/ )

– Here is an indepth study about Alzheimer’s and upregulating BDNF using LLLT.
(Read: http://www.jneurosci.org/content/33/33/13505 )

While the research data is not specifically for children with special needs or the Down syndrome population, they show many ways the laser is being studied to help the body and brain. The stories on the cold laser private facebook page “Cold laser/LED/light therapy” are endless and nothing short of miraculous. Parents have reported the following amazing results:

– first crawling movements
– increased distance of crawling
– first steps
– first time to stand unsupported
– increased energy, less fatigue
– increased speech and communication with depth, detail, and meaning
– increased social interaction with family and friends
– increased eye contact
– increased confidence
– detoxification reactions
– narrowed gait (Presley’s physical therapist also made comment to this)
– improved balance and coordination, jumping, standing on one leg
– improved vision (noted by their optometrist)
– coordinated eye movements
– first time to walk upstairs or downstairs
– improved reading skills
– improved sleep, less awakenings
– increased growth/height
– decreased or stopped teeth grinding
– decreased anxiety and frustration in neurotypical children
– first time to feed self using finger foods
– first time for imaginative play and appropriate play with use of toys
– decreased sensitivities to sound and touch
– laughing and smiling in appropriate responses
– improved writing ability
– increased attention and focus
– stopped bedwetting

I wrote this post to help parents who are interested in learning more about the benefits of cold lasers. I am not a consultant or advisor for QRI, but this is the company I chose to use, and the staff has exceeded my expectations in their customer service and personally taking time to answer all of my questions. They are not medical professionals and will not give medical advice. As a consumer, I have seen incredible results, both cognitive and physical, that seem to be shared with every other parent that utilizes this device. I participated in the online program and in person training class when Bonnie Brandes and Jamie Barker attended the Down syndrome Innovations conference here in Little Rock, Arkansas. As part of our mission at 3 of 21, I want to ensure parents have the most information at their disposal regarding what we believe to be the most beneficial technologies or therapeutic aids available at the time. This device and learning program from QRI definitely meet this criteria, and I hope you find this information helpful to you and your family.

Many blessings,

Robin Tolliver