LOW INTENSITY LASER THERAPY TREATS PAIN – MARCH 2018 - VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11

 
 

Volume 9, Issue 11

Low Intensity Laser Therapy Treats Pain

I'm very excited to tell you about a new service we introduced at the Clinic a few months ago - low intensity laser therapy, or LILT for short. LILT is a really safe and effective way to treat many different types of pain and inflammation. In addition, it enhances the body's immune system response and facilitates natural healing. Treatments are non-invasive, and the benefits are long-lasting. Read on below...

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Ramila Padiachy

Doctor of Natural Medicine (DNM)®

Ramila
 

What's the history of low intensity laser therapy (LILT)?


Research on the effectiveness of LILT (in both animals and humans) dates back to the 1960s and 1970s, with a lot of activity from the '80s onward. So it's been used for well over 40 years. While researchers commonly conclude that more research is needed, there is still consensus that LILT is an effective therapy. In a meta-analysis of the use of LILT in tissue repair and pain control, it was concluded that "laser phototherapy is a highly effective therapeutic armamentarium for tissue repair and pain relief."

How does LILT work?


LILT is a form of laser medicine that uses low level (low power) lasers or light emitting diodes to alter cellular function and stimulate healing. The laser often referred to as a 'cold laser', is a hand-held device which can be about the size of a flashlight.  


Laser therapy is non-invasive and pain-free. It uses red and infrared light to target inflamed, injured and diseased tissues. Photons of light stimulate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production which accelerates the healing process. (ATP is able to store and transport chemical energy within cells.) Patients recover from musculoskeletal and peripheral nerve injuries with less scar tissue, accelerated cell regeneration, and improved function.


LILT results in the following:


  • Angiogenesis and neovascularization: An increase in oxygenated blood to the injured tissue accelerates tissue healing.
  • Collagen production: Proper alignment and remodelling of collagen reduces internal scar formation and enhances tissue elasticity.
  • Muscle regeneration is increased and muscle atrophy is reduced: Repair of damaged muscle fibres and activation of myogenic satellite cells leads to regeneration of muscle tissue.
  • Inflammation and edema are reduced: An increase in inflammatory mediators, such as macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes, accelerates and resolves the inflammatory process.
  • Nerve regeneration is increased: Proliferation of growth factors promotes neuronal sprouting and myelin formation for optimal nerve recovery.
  • Cartilage production is increased: Increase in chondrocyte and collagen production allows for improved cartilage deposition and joint function.
  • Bone formation is increased: Proliferation of osteocytes and remodelling of bone extracellular matrix results in accelerated bone repair.
 

What does laser therapy treat?


Laser therapy safely and effectively treats musculoskeletal conditions, arthritis and sports injuries as well as a number of general health conditions:


Soft tissue and sports injuries

  • Ligament and tendon tears
  • Muscle sprains
  • Tendonitis
  • Contusions

Repetitive stress injuries

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Rotator cuff injury
  • Tennis elbow

Arthritic conditions

  • Degenerative osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Vertebral radiculopathy, sciatica
  • Spinal problems

General health problems

  • Headaches including migraines
  • Herniated discs
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
  • Postherpetic neuralgia

Tissue repair and wound healing

  • Soft tissue lesions (trauma)
  • Dermal ulcers
  • Venous stasis
  • Compression

Treatments


The number and length of treatments will vary according to the condition being treated and its severity, as well as individuals' variation in their reaction to LILT. There is also variation in the speed with which pain and inflammation are reduced and eliminated but, in most cases, there is noticeable improvement within a few treatments. In fact, most people start seeing positive results after the first treatment.


Laser therapy is a promising option for treating many conditions involving pain and inflammation, especially for people who prefer to avoid medications or surgery. It is also often used when other treatments, such as medications, surgery and physiotherapy, have failed to relieve pain.

 

References

  1. Enwemeka CS, Parker JC, Dowdy DS et al. The efficacy of low-power lasers in tissue repair and pain control: a meta-analysis study. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery 2004;22(4):323-329.
  2. Ramilas Healing Arts Clinic Low Intensity Laser therapy. Pamphlet available from Ramilas Healing Arts Clinic on request.
  3. Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT). Healthworks Chiropractic & Wellness Centre healthworkscentre.com/services/low-intensity-laser-therapy Accessed December 7, 2017.
  4. ATP molecule. https://www.worldofmolecules.com/life/atp.htm Accessed March 1, 2018.
  5. Schnee AK. Cold laser therapy pain management treatment. spine-health.com/treatment/pain-management/cold-laser-therapy-pain-management-treatment Updated February 13, 2009. Accessed December 7, 2017. 
  6. Laser therapy - conditions treated with LILT. GrassRoots National Health & Wellness. grassrootsnaturalhealth.ca/PDF/Laser-Therapy-Conditions-Treated.pdf Accessed March 1, 2018.

Disclaimer: The suggestions and recommendations in this newsletter are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic. The information is accurate and up to date to our knowledge, but we are not responsible for any errors in our sources of information.

Supplements

There are some Nature's Sunshine supplements that are relevant to this newsletter. You can find information about these products and purchase them in our online store:

  • Aloe Vera Gel
  • CurcuminBP
  • Eight
  • EverFlex Analgesic Cream
  • Glucosamine
  • MSM
Passion Flower

“I was struggling with chronic headaches, joint pain and lack of energy. I knew my weight was also a factor. A friend recommended I see Ramila. In July of 2015 I finally made the best decision of my life. Ramila created a nutritional plan for me. She also taught me how to balance out my nutritional needs and what kinds of food to eat and to avoid. I started seeing major differences in my body and overall health in just 3 weeks. I had more energy, my headaches were fewer to none, and my feet and joints didn’t hurt as much. I stuck to the heath plan and went from a size 15 to now a size 9. I have lost 40 lbs. I feel amazing; I have my self confidence back. And now my daughter, seeing my results, has started the same meal plan and she’s already down 10lbs. Thank you, Ramila. I couldn’t put a price on the knowledge you have given me.”

— RG

For additional information, please email info@ramilas.com or call Ramilas Healing Arts Clinic at 613.829.0427 for an appointment. Please continue letting friends and family know about this newsletter. Also, on our website, please see back issues of this newsletter, information about services, products and our clinic, and order products.

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