Latest pain relief treatment
The latest treatment for the relief of pain is called Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). It is a medical treatment that uses low level (cold) lasers to alter cellular function to effectively relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; acute and chronic neck pain; tendonitis; chronic joint disorders; back pain; sports injuries and a wide variety of other disorders.
LLLT is used to increase the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair (especially post-operative), resolve inflammation and relieve pain.
Unlike high power lasers, widely used to cut and burn tissue, low level lasers penetrate the surface of the skin with little or no heating effect and no potential tissue damage. The energy is directed deep into the treatment area, stimulating the body’s cells which convert the light energy into chemical energy to promote natural healing. This is a photochemical effect, similar to photosynthesis in plants. When cells get stressed, due to disease, injury or aging, they produce nitric oxide (NO) which displaces Oxygenin in the cells; with the application of the correct wavelength and density of light delivered to the target tissues for an appropriate period of time the NO is dissociated, allowing the oxygen back in and the metabolism to return to normal so the patient recovers more quickly.
There are two basic styles of treatment using LLLT, pinpoint treatment (laser puncture), similar to acupuncture, to trigger a reaction from the body to treat a variety of ailments including depression, migraines, insomnia, menopause neurosis and travel sickness. The other style of treatment which we primarily use in our office is broad coverage of a damaged area for accelerating healing, reducing inflammation and relieving pain. LLLT is a complementary treatment in that it can be used alongside conventional chiropractic treatments.
Low Level Laser Therapy has been proven completely safe and very effective in over 3,000 worldwide studies. There are normally no adverse effects from LLLT, however, a small number of patients occasionally experience mild discomfort after treatment which normally settles down after about 24 hours.
Among users of Low Level Laser Therapy are Manchester United Football Club, Blue Jays Baseball team and many others professional sports organizations. To read more about laser therapy, click here.
