Contraindications:

1. THOR DD2 Laser System is used for symptomatic treatment, and is contraindicated where analgesia may mask progressive pathology, and should not be used where the clinician would normally avoid the use of any other analgesia in order to retain the beneficial aspects of pain.
   
   
2. Class IIIb lasers are potentially harmful to the retina, though accidental retinal damage is unlikely. Both patient and practitioner must wear laser safety eyewear appropriate for the NIR wavelength.
   
   
3. Do not use LLLT over the pregnant uterus. It may be used on the pregnant woman as an adjunct to the other modalities for CTS.
   
   
4. Laser should not be used over the thyroid gland.
   
   
5. It is conceivable that laser-mediated vasodilatation may worsen a haemorrhage.
   
   
6. Laser Therapy is contra-indicated for patients on certain drugs.

Precautions

1. Patients may suffer an exacerbation of symptoms after laser therapy in conjunction with a recent steroid injection. For this reason laser should not be used within 2-3 weeks of a recent steroid injection on or near the same site.
   
   
2. Some patients are on drugs known to cause photosensitivity reactions. It is unlikely that a combination of laser and drug will trigger this response. We recommend that "at risk" patients or patients with a history of such reactions be "patch tested" for the minimum recommended treatment time.
   
   
3. Patients using topical or systemic steroids or N.S.A.I.D's for pain or skin conditions may experience mild "flare up" of their symptoms. If such a reaction occurs, low level laser therapy should be stopped.
   
   
4. It is possible that the treatment head pressure may cause slight bruising.
   
   
5. Some patients may suffer a slight increase in pain - patients should be warned of this possibility prior to laser therapy. In patients with persisting adverse reactions, laser treatment should be discontinued.
   

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