A technology that has been used in Europe for about 30 years has arrived in the U.S., promising patients they can lose weight and stop smoking.


Low-level laser therapy allows patient Steve Borden to sit in an easy chair as beams of light target his ears, nose, hands and wrists. Borden hopes the treatment will help him lose weight.

"I've tried other diets. They haven't worked and I want to lose 20 pounds,"

Borden said.


Each zap of light penetrates the skin to stimulate endorphins, Mother Nature's mood-lifter.

"It increases the patient's metabolism and reduces their cravings,"

said technician Andrea Steuer.

Follow up:

Some said the light also seems to help smokers extinguish the urge to light up. After decades of smoking, Jerry Beasley and his wife kicked the habit with only one treatment.

"The first three days were miserable, but since then, it's been pretty good actually,"

Beasley said.


Studies have shown that the laser can have as much as an 80 percent success rate.

"We're in the process of gaining FDA approval. It's been in the books for six years and we feel that we're imminently close to getting that approval,"

said Andrew Todden, of Laser Alternatives.


Advocates of laser therapy said the treatment has no side effects. The smoking cessation treatment is $200, and weight loss therapy is $249.


Source: The Indy Channel