PBM Live 2024 - London.

Representing the Photizo brand as a bronze sponsor at the 14th International Congress of the World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (WALT) and 30th Anniversary of the Association has been one of the proudest, most exciting and enlightening events our team has attended in the 16 years of involvement in this dynamic field of photomedicine. 

Our collaboration with Photizo HQ in South Africa (Photon Therapy Systems) and their dedication to obtain Medical CE from 2020 for three Photizo Homecare devices (Pain Relief, Sport & Skincare), made it possible to showcase the Photizo brand and concept at PBM2024 which puts Photizo well and truly on the international map for viable home care photobiomodulation.  

More than 30 countries were represented at PBM2024 as a conference which is the foremost international multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary conference encompassing 3 days of cutting-edge research, engaging presentations and networking.  

Team Photizo UK (Ruth & Jolene) with Photizo SA (Riaan Malan) attended as full delegates to learn, try other devices, as well as talking to many other delegates who visited our stand throughout the 3 days. It was a delight to catch up with friends Jessica Nelson and Jan Lloyd-Jones at Omega Laser who have been incredibly supportive to us over the years and also see Danish Photizo co-distributors, Caball. 

To say we were a bit starstruck (especially Ruth) was an understatement! It was an honour and privilege being able to listen live to a stellar line-up of speakers (and talk with some too), such as the UK’s Profs. Michael Hamblin, Paul Chazot, Reem Hanna and James Carroll (Thor) who we’ve come to know from their invaluable work in published PBM research and clinical applications for decades. Well-known international speakers included Profs. René Jean Bensadoun, Chukuka Enwemeka, Ernesto Leal-Junior and more. Our colleague, Riaan even caught up fellow South African WALT committee and members Prof. Nicoleta Houreld and Heidi Abrahamse who have supported Photizo. 

The scientific programme was vast covering the entire photobiomodulation spectrum, so much so it was simply impossible for our team of 3 to attend all the talks – we definitely needed to clone ourselves but perhaps that’s one thing PBM cannot do… yet😊!  

We know rapid advances in PBM Therapy over last few decades have led to numerous innovations, even if mainstream acceptance and understanding remains sceptical. We discovered what’s new and what’s on the horizon and the plethora of PBM devices there was a heartwarming sight to see, including the developments in Opthalmology such as the Lumithera system for AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) and all the developments for neurorehabilitation. 

Topics and devices being demonstrated covered:  

• Neurorehabilitation 

• Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine 

• Acupuncture 

• Metabolic and Autoimmune Disorders 

• Reproductive Health 

• PBM v. Antiviral & Antimicrobial applications 

• Aesthetic Medicine 

• Bone & Musculoskeletal  

• Pain Management & Addiction 

• Sports Rehabilitation 

• Wound care 

• Dermatology 

• Ophthalmology 

• Dentistry and Oral Care 

• Supportive care for cancer 

We were proud sponsors of the event

Team Photizo have certainly brought home from PBM2024 an enriched interest and vast armoury of latest PBM research with application possibilities to share with our existing and future Photizo users so watch this space. Over the next few months, we’ll update our CPD to incorporate these possibilities, of course we cannot make any claims as far as what Photizo can do, but our team hope will open your minds to possibilities of a viable quality PBM device (laser or LED, in near future and years to come.  

We have gone totally beyond the question “Does it Work?”. The key question for PBM is likely to be “What dose/wavelength do I need to apply for xxxx?”. 

Interestingly one of the sessions at the summit was the “Great Debate” Plenary Session focussing on the “Pathways for PBM Mainstreams in Healthcare”. This was led by an expert PBM panel and a unique opportunity for clinicians, scientists, healthcare regulators and the industry to have a productive interaction and fruitful discussion to move photobiomodulation mainstreams forward across all disciplines. 

Our stand at the show

One of the key questions debated was “Should PBM Homecare Devices be Available and Utilised by Practitioner/Therapists/Doctors? The panelists discussed the fact that widespread acceptance of PBM within medical mainstream continues to be extremely challenging without large scale trials, normally the double-blind placebo-controlled type but this ultimately would be hugely expensive and prohibitive for small device developers and manufacturers. If good quality home use PBM devices are far too expensive for majority, surely this defeats the object of developing it for home use in the first place? 

One of the concerns made is that, to a degree it’s currently a Wild West out there with ultra cheap pbm devices advertised online with no or questionable specification making wild clinical claims.  

Prof. Hamblin commented that it is clear what is needed for confidence in home use devices are well calibrated high-quality products where all the important parameters are clearly shown in the literature. What is also needed is to get home users to buy the Medically Certified quality devices without making a long list of medical claims. The more medical claims legally permitted, the more expensive and rigorous the regulatory process becomes. 

I hope he doesn’t mind being named but James Carroll made a very heartfelt important point perfectly clear, that there is nothing wrong with home PBM from those manufacturers doing the right thing and following the regulatory process (which is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive) and providing clear IFU’s (instructions for use) written for an 11 year old to understand.   

Jolene trying out some sci-fi looking headgear

Other comments from the panel and delegates were that home users of PBM are not stupid, they are smart, looking at the research and can share their experience using PBM with clinicians. This will ultimately create awareness amongst clinicians. We all have to work together with reputable companies to build education and confidence in home use PBM. 

At Photizo, we are committed to keeping the price within financial reach of the majority of home users. Photizo in South Africa and our UK Team remain family-owned businesses so expanding the current generic clinical claims under the Medical CE is not possible.  

We are doing our best to encourage all PBM users to do a little bit of extra homework to understand the main mechanisms of the modality which has almost non-existent side effects. More mechanisms are being discovered all the time and the World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (WALT) are expanding their guidelines as more evidence comes in. We also encourage all Photizo users to understand the concept and be clear they are using LED PBM, not laser PBM as there are differences in the two light sources. 

With this extra knowledge, confidence will build to perhaps consider using whatever good quality PBM device you have, even if it isn’t a Photizo, and explore the possibilities to benefit you and your loved ones with this incredible modality.  

Find out more about the Photizo range by clicking the link below: