OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine is an international peer-reviewed Open Access journal published quarterly online by LIDSEN Publishing Inc. It covers all evidence-based scientific studies on integrative, alternative and complementary approaches to improving health and wellness.

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Publication Speed (median values for papers published in 2024): Submission to First Decision: 6.8 weeks; Submission to Acceptance: 14.3 weeks; Acceptance to Publication: 6 days (1-2 days of FREE language polishing included)

Open Access Editorial

In the Mirror of the Past, in the Light of the Future: The ISLA – A President Looks Back and Forward

Gerhard Litscher *

  1. Swiss University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, High-Tech Acupuncture and Digital Chinese Medicine, Bad Zurzach, Switzerland; President of the International Society for Medical Laser Applications (ISLA transcontinental; since 2012), German Vice President of the German-Chinese Research Foundation (DCFG) for TCM (since 2014), Vice Chairperson, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, Committee of Card. Rehab. (2023-2028), Honorary President of the European Federation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Societies, Honorary President of the American Society for Laser Acupuncture Therapy (ASLAT); Honorary Professor of China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Former Head of two Research Units and the TCM Research Center at the Medical University of Graz, Austria, Europe

Correspondence: Gerhard Litscher

Special Issue: Photobiomodulation: Past, Present and Future

Received: June 15, 2025 | Accepted: June 18, 2025 | Published: June 18, 2025

OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2025, Volume 10, Issue 2, doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2502024

Recommended citation: Litscher G. In the Mirror of the Past, in the Light of the Future: The ISLA – A President Looks Back and Forward. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2025; 10(2): 024; doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2502024.

© 2025 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the conditions of the Creative Commons by Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is correctly cited.

Abstract

This editorial for the 27th ISLA Congress in Beverungen in Germany reflects on the development, achievements, and challenges of the International Society for Medical Laser Applications (ISLA-transcontinental) from the perspective of its President for Science and Research, Univ.-Prof. DDr. Gerhard Litscher. It reviews the organization’s milestones and growth while outlining future strategies for innovation, research, and international collaboration in medical laser technologies. The full keynote presentation is available at the end of the editorial.

Keywords

ISLA, International Society for Medical Laser Applications; medical laser; laser technology; medical innovation; interdisciplinary cooperation; international research; laser medicine; laser acupuncture; scientific strategy; photodynamic therapy; ISLA congress

1. Looking Back: How It All Began

The story of the International Society for Medical Laser Applications (ISLA-transcontinental) has been shaped by vision, scientific curiosity, and a commitment to progress. What began as interdisciplinary meetings evolved over the years into a globally connected platform for innovation in medical laser applications. From the start, ISLA was more than just a professional society—it was a driving force for research, a hub for collaboration, and a home for transformative ideas.

Numerous milestones marked our path, including international congresses, groundbreaking research collaborations, the clinical implementation of new methods, and the development of a growing network of experts. Looking back, it became clear how much the integration of basic research, clinical application, and global cooperation had contributed to our success.

2. The 27th ISLA Congress: A Global Statement

The 27th ISLA Congress, held in Beverungen, Germany, represented another significant milestone. Experts from 26 countries and regions across six continents gathered to share new insights, technologies, and clinical experiences. This international diversity was not only impressive but also a powerful symbol of how globally relevant medical laser technology had become.

The atmosphere of the congress was shaped by openness, mutual respect, and scientific enthusiasm. Physicians, researchers, developers, students, and partners from a wide range of disciplines came together to generate new ideas and shape the future of our field.

3. At the Heart of Progress: The Medical Laser

Medical lasers have become indispensable in modern healthcare, from precision surgery and minimally invasive procedures to oncology, diagnostics, and pain therapy. Recent years have demonstrated the rapid development of this field and the crucial role of scientific guidance in ensuring safe and effective implementation.

ISLA played a central role in this progress through research, education, standardization, and the publication of international findings. This congress once again demonstrated how the union of research and clinical practice is key to innovation in laser medicine.

4. Shaping the Future: Strategies and Vision

In my keynote speech, I not only offered a retrospective but also presented a forward-looking roadmap for ISLA. Our future strategy rested on three core pillars:

  • Promoting young scientific talent,
  • Strengthening international and interdisciplinary scientific collaboration,
  • Expanding scientific evidence-based clinical applications of medical laser technologies.

These goals were designed to position ISLA as a global leader in the field of medical laser applications — one that is scientifically rigorous, globally connected, and committed to sustainable innovation.

5. Gratitude and Outlook

My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who made this congress possible — the organizing team, the inspiring speakers, our sponsors, and above all, the participants whose contributions brought the event to life.

ISLA remains a place where scientific expertise drives progress, fostered by shared responsibility, open dialogue, and a clear scientific focus on the future.

6. Full Keynote Presentation of Gerhard Litscher, ISLA President for Science and Research

The full keynote presentation, “In the Mirror of the Past, in the Light of the Future: The ISLA – A President Looks Back and Forward”, delivered by Gerhard Litscher (Figure 1) at the official opening of the 27th ISLA Congress, is available [here].

 

Click to view original image

Figure 1 Gerhard Litscher, President for Science and Research of ISLA. Prof. Litscher delivered one opening keynote at the 27th ISLA Congress. His full presentation is available at the link above.

The following impressions from the 27th ISLA Congress (Figures 25) provide visual highlights of the event and are presented with permission and copyright © G. Litscher.

Click to view original image

Figure 2 Participants from over 26 countries attended the official opening in the City hall Beverungen in Germany.

Click to view original image

Figure 3 Keynote Lecture by Univ.-Prof. DDr. Gerhard Litscher. The ISLA President for Science and Research from Austria presents the keynote address: “In the Mirror of the Past, in the Light of the Future: The ISLA – A President Looks Back and Forward” [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51].

Click to view original image

Figure 4 Interdisciplinary Discussion. Experts from medicine, engineering, and research institutions exchange insights on current and future trends in laser medicine.

Click to view original image

Figure 5 Accompanying Program and Networking Area. Young researchers and professionals discussed innovative projects and exchanged ideas in an informal and interactive setting.

Author Contributions

The author did all the research work for this study.

Funding

No financial support.

Competing Interests

The author hereby declares that no conflict of interests exists in connection with the publication of this editorial.

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