Is Chiropractic Care Worth Trying After 12 Years of Headaches? One Patient’s Answer
If you have lived with the same headache pattern for over a decade, it is fair…
Chronic pain is pain persisting to weeks or months and is commonly associated with an underlying medical condition. Some common conditions that cause chronic pain are inflammation of the joints such as arthritis or injury, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia.
Chronic pain can become quite problematic and disbaling for a person who has it. Everyday activities like walking, sitting and sleep can be affected when chronic pain persists.
Medical doctors often prescribe pain medications to try to reduce pain. Recent studies suggest an alternative intervention with the use of cold laser therapy to treat chronic pain. Cold laser therapy is low-intensity light therapy that stimulates healing while using low levels of light and decreases the need for pain medication.
It is called “cold” laser therapy because the low levels of light aren’t enough to heat your body’s tissue. The level of light is small when compared to other forms of laser therapy, such as those used to destroy tumors and coagulate tissue. Cold laser therapy can stimulate all cell types, including muscle, cartilage, ligament, and nerves.
History of cold laser therapy
This approach is used in clinical practice for about four decades. In 1916, Albert Einstein theorized Light Amplification through Stimulated Emission of Radiation or LASER. In 1967, Professor Andre Mester began using low power lasers in medicine. Dr. Mester is recognized by many as the grandfather of laser therapy.
How cold laser therapy works?
Cold laser therapy is also called Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). Its mechanism of action uses various wavelengths. The light energy goes through the skin and directly targets the specific area. The light can penetrate 2-5 centimeters down the tissue and creates a physiological reaction. Researchers have not clearly define how it works. Some hypothesized that low-level laser increases levels of nitric oxide that promote vasodilation thus produces better circulation and healing. Other data suggests an increase in endorphin production. Nonetheless, LLLT demonstrates an analgesic effect on the body.
How is it low level laser therapy performed?
Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure and can be done in a clinical setting. A chiropractor can perform it.
A handheld device is set close to the affected area. A laser light radiates through the skin where it is absorbed. The treatment is done for 2 to 10 minutes since it is non-invasive, with no pain or any side effect after the therapy.
Advantages
- It is a painless, non-invasive procedure. No surgical incision needed, and there is no recovery period expected.
- There is no reported side effect from past patients who have undergone cold laser therapy.
- Cold laser therapy can be used over metal implants
Disadvantages
- It may take a series of treatments to completely relieve the pain.
- Cold laser therapy is not used close to the eyes.
Contraindications to cold laser therapy
Cold laser therapy does not apply to pregnant women, cancer, and hypothyroidism patients. The laser must not expose directly to the eyes as it can cause damage to the eyes.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/joint-pain/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050668
https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-laser-therapy
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk with a provider about your own symptoms and care.
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