Unfortunately, 25 to 30% of Americans suffer from a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy in which the information that should be transmitted to the brain is interrupted by damaged or malfunctioning nerves.
Interruption of these signals is often life-changing for patients and can affect a wide range of areas such as your feet, hands, and even face.
Aging isn’t for the weak of heart. Our bodies change as we age, and at times it may seem as if new medical ailments pop up overnight like mysterious bruises, swelling, or areas that become stiff. Adults have 206 bones in our bodies which are anchored to muscles by tissue that can account for some of the aches and pains we feel. These dense fibrous tissues are called tendons.
Unfortunately, 25 to 30% of Americans suffer from a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy in which the information that should be transmitted to the brain is interrupted by damaged or malfunctioning nerves.
Interruption of these signals is often life-changing for patients and can affect a wide range of areas such as your feet, hands, and even face.
The world of laser therapy can be a confusing place. Terms like class IV, cold laser therapy (CLT), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and even photobiomodulation (PBM) are all over the internet and can make digesting information about therapeutic laser treatment hard. In this blog post we’ll be attempting to answer some common questions, point out important information to look for, and hopefully provide you with enough basic laser knowledge to ensure you get the most out of your laser therapy experience as possible.
Are there different types of Laser Therapy?
We’re often asked what CLT, LLLT, and PBM mean, so we’ll begin with defining those terms. Class IV describes the classification of lasers that are used in laser therapy. These lasers are typically higher powered and allow for better tissue penetration than class I-III lasers, which are found in your home, office, or manufacturing.
When laser therapy first became available for human use many terms were coined to describe the therapy process. These terms included cold laser therapy and low-level laser therapy. As with most devices, once laser therapy became available to the public, a rash of late-night devices hit infomercials everywhere claiming to fall under these categories. This influx of inferior machines spurred the need in the laser world for clear barriers in what laser therapy is and can do. Photobiomodulation is now considered the appropriate term for the use of laser therapy on tissue.
What is Laser Therapy and what does it do?
Laser therapy is the non-invasive, non-thermal application of light energy to stimulate cells. Once stimulated by the near-infrared light, cells in the affected area generate more energy and undergo self-repair. There are no known negative side effects from the use of PBM on cells.
When looking into laser therapy remember that not all laser devices are created equal. It’s important to use a PBM provider that utilizes a class IV laser that works somewhere between 808-908nm wavelengths. These ranges are great for not only tissue regeneration, but also in managing inflammation, and pain relief.
Can I be treated if I don’t have a diagnosis?
Laser therapy should always be performed by knowledgeable staff and under the direct supervision of a physician. Currently, some establishments do not require a diagnosis before treatment begins. Doing so is a bit like shooting at a target blindfolded. Treatment protocols for conditions vary widely in time, intensity, and technique. Having a diagnosis before treatment is essential in evaluating the efficacy of a treatment protocol for the patient, and in understanding how to manage that treatment for the best possible results.
What kind of training is required to perform laser therapy?
Right now several states including Michigan do not require certification for laser therapy technicians. So how do you ensure you’re receiving the best treatment and care possible? Ask about requirements for your state and the technician’s experience, and if the same technician will be performing each treatment. Typical training for laser therapy includes topics such as laser history and theory, application of techniques, and courses on common conditions treated as well as basic healing, bandaging, and wound care in some cases.
As always if you have any questions, or would like to see us tackle a specific topic, please leave us a comment below. We hope you found this information helpful, and we look forward to helping you #livepainfree.
The Center for Disease Control estimates 54 million Americans experience limited activity due to Arthritis. That’s 23% of adults in the US who report severe joint pain associated with this condition. Most of us have put a few hard miles on our bodies during the time we’ve been around. So what do those years of wear and tear mean when dealing with arthritic symptoms, and how can we manage them better?
Arthritis is a term used to describe, or blanket, over 200 conditions which affect joint health. There are many different forms of Arthritis, and it does not discriminate based on age or gender. At the heart of the problem lies a list of symptoms which often have gradual onset and may go un-noticed.
Despite advancements in medicine, typical treatment protocols for arthritis haven’t changed much over the years. Most doctors attempt to alleviate symptoms to manage the condition, as there is no cure. Often analgesics like acetaminophen or hydrocodone are used to treat pain. Some practitioners will recommend NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or Ibuprofen to both control pain and decrease inflammation. Additionally, topical creams are prescribed to help block transmission of pain signals. In some cases, surgical options like joint replacement may be considered as well as physical therapy to strengthen muscle surrounding affected joints.
While there is no cure for arthritis, other management options are available to help you stave off the symptoms associated with this condition. Alternatives include weight loss, exercise, hydro therapy, and laser therapy. With the exception of hydro therapy and laser therapy, weight loss and exercise attempt to relieve additional stress on joints while aiding in range of motion, and strengthening surrounding muscles.
Hydro therapy is a form of physical therapy in which exercise and water are used to decrease inflammation while supporting the body and allowing for increases in range of motion.
Laser therapy is a different form of physical therapy that uses light energy to stimulate your body’s ability to repair itself. When applied to symptomatic joints, laser therapy decreases pain and inflammation, but also helps improve mobility. Because of the laser systems used, patients note no pain associated with the treatment, or negative side effects. Laser therapy is completely non-invasive and safe.
We hope this blog post helps shed light on the different management options available to patients who deal with Arthritic pain and related symptoms. Don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly blog, or you can follow us on Facebook @Tripodlaser. We look forward to helping you #livepainfree.
Pain comes in many shapes and sizes. We all have stories where we managed to burn our fingers on something hot. These sensations (and in fact the pain you feel when stepping on your son’s lego pieces) are all transmitted along a super information highway of nerves called the peripheral nervous system. The primary function of this system is to transmit data like pain from your extremities to your brain. Unfortunately, 25 to 30% of Americans suffer from a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy in which the information that should be transmitted to the brain is interrupted by damaged or malfunctioning nerves.
Interruption of these signals is often life-changing for patients and can affect a wide range of areas such as your feet, hands, and even face.
· Gradual onset of numbness, prickling or tingling in your feet or hands, which can spread upward into your legs and arms
· Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain
· Extreme sensitivity to touch
· Pain during activities that shouldn't cause pain, such as pain in your feet when putting weight on them or when they're under a blanket
· Lack of coordination and falling
· Muscle weakness
· Feeling as if you're wearing gloves or socks when you're not
· Paralysis if motor nerves are affected
If you are experiencing tingling, weakness, or pain in your hands, feet or face be sure to consult a doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best results in both managing symptoms and preventing additional damage to the nerves.
There are a variety of problems that can cause nerves to work inappropriately. Some examples include trauma, infection, diabetes, tumors, exposure to poisons, medications, vitamin deficiencies (B vitamins, E vitamins, and even niacin are all important to nerve health), and alcoholism.
While making better life choices such as diet, avoiding overindulging in alcohol and limiting factors for diabetes can all help manage risk and in some cases prevent symptoms, what do you do if you’re already suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy?
Speak to your doctor.
Learn what options are available to help you normalize your nerve function and promote regeneration. Nerves do regenerate, but very slowly. Some alternative therapies have proven helpful for patients trying to manage symptoms. Sadly, most treatments tend to focus on pain and don’t address the damaged nerve. Speaking with your doctor about treatment options is vital to managing Neuropathy. Knowing what treatments are being used to manage which symptoms can save you time and energy later.
In recent years, studies have shown laser therapy is a viable option of managing multiple symptoms associated with Neuropathy. Laser therapy is an alternative form of physical therapy that doesn’t just focus on one symptom. By utilizing light energy on a cellular level, laser therapy allows the body to regenerate damaged nerves, as well as relax tensed muscles, and can even help to manage pain.
For more information on the benefits of laser therapy check out our other posts here:
Today we're talking about post surgical healing. You’ve made the decision to have surgery, but now what? Did you know that the body goes through more than one phase of healing in it's journey to get back to normal? We’ll be talking about the three phases of healing and how your body navigates through those phases.
