6 Benefits of Laser Therapy you didn't know about

At Tripod Laser Services our goal is to educate the community about laser therapy. So we’ve compiled a handy list of the top six benefits of laser therapy that most people aren’t aware of. Before we dive into the list you need to know what laser therapy is. Laser therapy is referred to as Photobiomodulation, and is a form of physical therapy that uses light energy to affect tissue, and is often used instead of injections and other medications. Currently, laser therapy is used to help manage conditions like arthritis, wound healing, and acute injuries like ankle sprains.

Now that we’re on the same page, on to the good stuff:

6. Laser therapy can help reduce the formation of fibrous tissue (scar tissue) following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns or a surgery.

5. Studies have shown that when participating in Photobiomodulation the tissue in treatment areas increase vascular activity, and vasodilation which is an increase in the diameter of blood vessels to allow better blood flow. This helps speed up the healing process to allow wounds to close more quickly and with less scarring.

4. Laser therapy doesn’t just affect damaged tissue; it can also help improve nerve function as well. Light energy helps speed nerve cell reconnection and regeneration. Nerve’s typically regenerate at an extremely slow rate, much slower than tissue.

3. Laser therapy promotes several pain management mechanisms in tissue. By utilizing the analgesic effect of light energy laser therapy promotes the production of high levels of pain killing chemicals like endorphins, and enkephalin from the brain and adrenal gland. As mentioned before, light energy also affects nerve cells, and when discussing pain can help block transmissions by nerve cells to decrease sensitivity and pain.

2. Light energy has a direct effect on immunoregulation. Laser therapy utilizes light to increase the production of ATP in tissue which is a major carrier and energy source for all chemical reactions in your cells.

1. Photobiomodulation also has an anti-inflammatory effect on tissue. We’ve mentioned that it promotes vasodialation before, but it also activates the lymphatic drainage system which drains swollen areas. This reaction helps reduce swelling caused by inflammation or bruising.

For more information on the many benefits of laser therapy follow us on Facebook @TripodLaser, and remember— why live with pain, if you don’t have to?

6 Steps to Improve Your Surgical Experience

Surgeries can be scary. Many people put off much needed procedures because they’re afraid of the outcome, pain, or the time that might be required to get back into “normal” activities. While every surgery is different, there are some tips and tricks that can help ease these worries. We’ve compiled a handy list of things to consider before surgery to get you ready for the big day.

1.      Talk to your Doctor. This seems like a no brainer, right? Many people become shell shocked once the word surgery comes into play. No one wants to have a procedure done, and sometimes even the possibility that it might be needed and everything it entails can leave your head spinning. Most doctors will set up specific appointments to talk to you about what you can expect with your healing, surgical procedure, and care afterward.

2.      Follow ALL of your Doctor’s recommendations to the letter. Your doctor’s care instructions are not a guideline. They’re recommendations that are made to help ease you through the healing process, and when followed to the letter can reduce the risk of post-surgical problems as well as decrease recovery time.

3.      Listen to your body. Many of us are not good at taking it easy. We all want to get back into routines as quickly as possible. Listening to your body and resting when an area becomes achy, tired, or painful will give you the best chance at a speedier recovery.

4.      Ice. Your body’s natural response to trauma (surgery) is to increase inflammation in the area. Following most surgeries, ice is your best friend because it decreases inflammation in the area.

5.      Keep your incisions dry and clean. Depending on the surgery, each procedure has specific care guidelines unique to the procedure being done. We often have friends who’ve had surgery, and what worked for them, may not be appropriate for you. After care instructions given by your doctor should always be followed to the letter to prevent infection or other complications.

6.      Ask about therapy options. People often think of therapy and immediately think of traditional physical therapy or rehabilitation centers. However, many less traditional forms of physical therapy can aid the healing process. These therapies can ease the transition from surgery into activity, and make the process pain-free.

Laser therapy is a great example of an alternative form of physical therapy that significantly increases healing when used post-surgically (patients who make laser therapy a part of their surgical care heal 30-40% faster, and have less scarring along their incision sites.) Laser therapy also helps manage pain, and decreases inflammation.

As always we hope this information helps you make an informed decision about your care. If you missed our blog post on the phases of healing, or would like additional information on laser therapy check out our other posts here.

Neuropathy

What is Neuropathy?

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.

Signs and symptoms can include:

·         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:

What is Laser Therapy

What is Laser therapy?

Cuts, Scrapes & Bruises

How often have you found a random bruise, scrape, or cut? You know the kind that shows up out of nowhere? Often when faced with one of these conditions we dismiss them because we’re taught from a young age that time heals all. Or that these types of traumas aren’t a serious injury at all. While both can be true, sometimes conditions are at play which can make a seemingly small condition like any of the above much worse. We’re not talking about a paper cut or the time you bumped into your coffee table here.

So, when is it appropriate to seek help or additional treatment, and what can be done for these conditions?

At times when the body suffers trauma to tissue (skin), muscle, or even bone giving the area time isn’t enough. This is especially true when there is inflammation, pain is involved, or tissue regeneration is necessary to facilitate healing.

Here are a few great examples of when and why it’s appropriate to seek medical advice or help when dealing with any cut, scrape, or bruise:

Some damage to skin can’t or shouldn’t be stitched. The nature of the trauma - cuts or punctures specifically- depth and tissue health can cause a wound to be a poor candidate for closure (you wouldn’t want to close tissue that could become infected). In cases such as these doctors will often turn to debridement and wound management to help traumatized tissue heal properly.

A great example of a really bad scrape is road rash. This condition typically occurs because tissue (layers of skin) is dragged along an abrasive surface and is removed as a result. Not only is this type of scrape extremely painful, but the abrasive act itself can cause debris to be left behind in the tissue which can set off infection, improper healing, and a whole host of other issues. But what can or should be done? Keeping the area clean and promoting quick healing is very important.

Bruises can occur due to microscopic tearing in blood vessels (usually as a result of trauma) and in the case of deep tissue bruising or even bone bruising can cause blood and fluid to accumulate. Though bruises are less severe than a fracture, they can be just as painful. If you suffered a trauma and are still having pain, it’s usually a good idea to seek medical advice. Pain is not, and should not be a normal part of your day.

Knowing when and why you might need a little additional medical help is important. Not every trauma, cut, scrape, or bruise is just another run of the mill one. When a Band-Aid won’t cut it a great option to consider is laser therapy. Not only can laser therapy reduce inflammation, pain, and accelerate healing, it can also affect the tissue and nerve in a trauma site to keep down the formation of scar tissue. Why live with pain, when you can live without it?