How Low Level Laser Therapy Aid In The Treatment of Chronic Back Pain ?
Introduction:
Laser therapy is usually the last resort for people suffering from back pain. At this present time of writing, many people reach for laser therapy as one of the latest technology revelations that can ease back pain and discomfort with minimal to no side effects. Various researches have proven laser therapy to be both effective and worthy investment. However, when considering laser therapy, always look for a licensed and skilled doctor or therapist. Nonetheless, it is safe to say that low level laser therapy can be used for both a quick fix and a long term solution for chronic back pain.
Back pain:An unrelenting health problem
•Many people from the outside think that people suffering from back pain sometimes exaggerate. The truth is, the pain is very much real and severe, and more often than not, it is chronic, lasting for more than 3 months.
•Living with chronic back pain can be a real challenge, since even the simplest everyday routines seem hard to do and taxing. When faced with patient with chronic back pain, doctors focus on treating the cause of the pain (which can be either an injury or a disease).
•The thinking behind it is that, once the cause is healed, the pain diminishes. What is even more challenging for dealing with chronic back pain is the fact that there are no measures for the level of pain.
•Many times, there is no clear cause of back pain, and patients go from one doctor to another, struggling to identify the culprit of the physical suffering.
Cold laser in action
Source: http://www.thorlaser.com/treatmentphotos/
Benefits of cold laser therapy in treating back pain
Low laser therapy treats back pain in three ways:
(1) it eases pain,
inflammation
(3) it enhances tissue healing.
Light emitted from low laser therapy influences muscles, ligaments and even, bones. In its essence, laser therapy enhances microcirculation; therefore, stimulating red blood cells flowing to the designated area, and there is increase inthe blood flow in that area. Low level laser therapy also stimulates oxygenation in the tissue, and finally, stimulates cytochrome oxidase enzyme, which targets injured cells providing them extra energy for recovery and rejuvenation.
Studies that prove the efficiency of cold laser therapy:
Source: http://www.thorlaser.com/treatmentphotos/
Different studies have shown different results of the effectiveness of laser therapy. The upshot has always been and always, will be pain relief. This has been substantiated by numerous studies including a research conducted by John Zhang and Eric Malisali from Logan University, published in the Journal of Chiropractic Education (vol 23, 2009). The study revealed that laser stimulation on acupuncture points is effective and safe treatment for low back pain. Thirty two people were part of the study, who have reported satisfying results.
Another study that supports laser therapy is the one done by the Department of Animal Clinical Sciences, in cooperation with the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the University of Florida. Their study proved that low level laser therapy encourages ambulation faster than surgery alone. Their study was conducted on dogs. Results showed that the time to achieve a modified Frankel score of 4 was significantly lower in the laser therapy (3-5 days) than in the surgery alone group (14 days).
Moreover, a group of scientists, Felix Adah, Hamed Benghuzzi, Michelle Tucci, Ashraf Ragab, and Neva Greenwald from the University of Mississippi Medical Center conducted a study in 2008. Their subjects were rats, and the intention of the study was to prove the effect of low power laser treatment on a traumatized disc in a rat model. It was disclosed that the group that underwent a laser treatment showed healing and cellular re-organization.
References:
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John Zhang & Eric Malisali, (2009). Laser and Electrical Stimulation of Acupuncture Points on Low Back Pain, A Pilot Study. Laser and ElectThe Journal of Chiropractic Education. 23 (1), pp.119
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Gina Shaw, (2012). Let There Be Light. 1st ed. USA: American Chiropractic Association.
Felix Adah, Hamed Benghuzzi, Michelle Tucci, Ashraf Ragab, and Neva Greenwald., (2008). EFFECT OF LOW POWER LASER TREATMENT ON A TRAUMATIZED DISC IN A RAT MODEL. University of Mississippi Medical Center. 1 (1), pp.1-10
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