Fred Kahn

As the practice of the healing arts has advanced over the ages it has not been unusual to observe the phenomenon of truly important and innovative advances being dismissed, out of hand, by the medical community. Such was the fate of Philip Semmelweis whose observation that the washing of hands was an important preventive measure in avoiding maternal death from puerperal fever. This was something which was never acknowledged or practiced during his lifetime. Fortunately, Fred Kahn, M.D. may yet achieve the recognition he deserves from the medical community while he is still around to acknowledge this. Safe and effective medical devices and associated therapies are sometimes lost in the shuffle when compared to the mass marketing of pharmaceuticals and surgery. Dr. Kahn’s medical career began as a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto and led to the practice of ardiovascular surgery in the United States following which Dr. Kahn focused his interest and energy in the healing potential of Low Intensity Laser Therapy. Starting in 1988 he has pioneered the development and clinical application of cold laser therapy. Dr. Kahn’s inventions and his treatment protocols have continually demonstrated a high level of safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness in treating pain as well as in wound healing. Remarkably, Dr. Kahn’s effort has received little in the way of acknowledgement except from his patients; many of who have suffered from disabling back pain. It is therefore a privilege for Burton Report to add Dr. Fred Kahn’s name to its Spine Hall of Fame.