By LORI TUCKER
6 News Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Richard Bensey, 42, can finally enjoy a plate of shrimp for lunch at his favorite restaurant. It's something that was off-limits for years due to his extreme allergies.
Bensey remembers it well. "I would have horrible intestinal pain. My stomach would cramp up, bend me over double," he said.
He credits laser therapy for getting rid of his seafood allergies and his terrible reaction to cats. "My face would swell up," he recalled. "My eyes would itch, just be miserable."
Earlier this year, Bensey sought out the help of Pamela Bull, a laser practitioner. She uses the LZR7 Laser Allergy Relief System at her office in West Knoxville. It works by assessing skin conductivity through biofeedback, determining allergies and other imbalances.
When she treats him, Bull has Bensey put on protective eye wear, and a cuff on his wrist that gives feedback to the computer system attached to the laser.
Then she administers the laser therapy to key areas on the body where acupuncture is normally done, applying low level frequency from the top of the head to the ears to the neck, down the spine and all the way to the feet.
Bull says the LZR7 computer system determines a person's exact allergies and assigns a number to each of its findings. "The higher the number that you have, the more sensitivity or more of a reaction you're going to have to that item," she explained.
Bensey's allergies showed up immediately in colorful spikes on the computer screen. He did score highest on cat and shrimp allergies.
After a series of 13 sessions, which is the normal number Bull provides, Bensey says he's cured and looking forward to catching up on all of the seafood he's missed over the years.
"It's been life-changing for sure," he said.
The laser therapy for allergies is not covered by insurance, but payment plans are available.
The average price, according to Bull, is $975 to $1,600 for 13 sessions.
Pamela Bull's office is located at 11416 Grigsby Chapel Road, Suite 101, in Knoxville. For more information, call 3-D Laser Allergy Relief at (865) 705-4305.
When Pamela Bull treats Richard Bensey, she has him put on protective eye wear.
