Pain management is really a field where many practitioners get frustrated. In our clinic we view it all the time as a lot of the more difficult cases come in after they have observed everybody else and a chiropractor is their last resort. Chronic pain doesn't always mean that we must do more, sometimes what seems like an extremely little treatment can produce marvelous results.
Take laser therapy for instance; it is a popular treatment now from from foot fungus to weight loss. Now personally I haven't seen the studies that it is effective for all of the numerous uses folks are finding for it but I know from the research and from my own clinical experience that it is a highly effective therapy for pain management in conjunction with some of the more traditional methods like physical therapy, chiropractic, acute injury and chronic injury management protocols and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization.
Lasers for use in pain therapy are needs to gain recognition in this country. https://lightforcemedical.com/photobiomodulation-therapy-pbm/ cleared Low Level Laser Therapy for use in pain, inflammation, and wound healing in 2002; however, the benefits of LLLT have been recognized and successfully used overseas for decades. Studies show LLLT to lessen neck and back pain by as much as 70% with no known side effects.
The theory may be the laser excites the targeted cells in the injured tissue, evoking the cells to send out a signal that healing must take place in the area being treated. This signal travels through the entire blood stream, connective tissues, and nervous system to significantly increase the body's response and healing time. Interestingly, researchers also have discovered that LLLT boosts healing through the entire body, not just in the area being treated.
Many will be surprised to learn that more isn't better when it comes to LLLT; the effective dose is fairly small. Typical treatments can take as little as five minutes and are administered many times per week over a training course of two to three weeks for maximum and lasting effect. Inside our clinic it is probably the most used modalities. Often patient respond quickly with reduced subjective complaints, decreased muscle spasm, and increased ROM of the affected area. For anyone who is suffering from carpal tunnel, neck and low back pain, tendonitis, knee pain or any number of painful conditions, give laser therapy a try to see if it's right for you.