Relieving neck pain and arthritis by using low-level lasers Chiropractic Economics

Do’s, Don’ts and Dosing in low-level therapy reduce inflammation and speed the healing process when treating arthritis or neck pain.

Laser therapy at a low level can help numerous ailments and is beneficial in battling neck and arthritis especially when there is inflammation. This treatment is fast and non-invasive treatment for a variety of people.

For those suffering from arthritis, it really can cause neck pain.

How prevalent is neck and joint pain?

It’s widespread. Between 50 and 85 percent ^1. of every person will have experienced some kind of neck pain in their life. Many of these individuals will seek out a form of treatment, be it available the market for pain relief to chiropractic, or even surgery.

Luckily, many of the reasons for neck discomfort can be treated through non-invasive treatments (see further below).

Neck pain symptoms include:

• The pain can be worsened by holding your head in one position (driving or working on the computer)
• Spasms and tightness in muscles
• Numbness or pain in arm(s) or hand(s)
• Head rotation and neck rotation are reduced.
• Headache

For certain people, a variety of reasons for neck discomfort like poor posture or injuries, can eventually lead to arthritis. The neck joint is extremely painful and could cause serious other issues when it is left to develop over time. This is the point at which chiropractic is able to assist in reducing degeneration and pain by using manual techniques as well as by helping people with developing how to live a healthier lifestyle.

Neck pain is caused by a variety of causes

However, there are many reasons for neck pain and in most cases, no specific cause can be the sole connection to neck discomfort. In reality, the majority of people suffer many of these problems as they age.

• Poor posture
• Strain/sprain (previous whiplash)
• Obesity
• Previous injuries
• Compression of the nerve
• Muscular tension
• Hernias in the disc
• Radiculopathy
• Arthritis/degeneration
• Spondylolisthesis
• Tumors/cancer

A majority of these issues can be addressed through chiropractic treatments. In addition, obesity can be treated by teaching patients the importance of nutrition and the necessity to establish a regular fitness routine. A holistic approach can include various treatments that address the various reasons.

Differentiating arthritis

It is crucial to differentiate between two kinds of arthritis prior to treatment:

Osteoarthritis —Osteoarthritis is caused by repeated movement or injury that damages the connective or cushioning tissues between bones. Most often, osteoarthritis is seen in particular joints or areas of the spine which are the most susceptible to movements. Chiropractic is a great aid, assisting in relaxing joints, allowing an area to ease inflammation as well as providing corrective devices and exercises to help reduce the amount of damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis —Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which your immune system targets connective tissues, the cushioning tissue, or fluids in or around bones, leading to a degeneration of tissues. Chiropractic treatment could cause more harm if a symbiotic reduction in inflammation in the the body is not taken care of initially.

LLLT as an option to treat

The newest technology of low-level laser therapy gives an chiropractor who is looking for a non-invasive method to reduce inflammation and speed up healing and repair of tissues suffering from neck and arthritis pain. It reduces the amount of pain and impairment ^two in the case of 4-8 joules and a 785-860 nanometer wavelength. It’s also effective for 3 to 1-3 joules using a 904-nanometer wavelength.

A few study ^three demonstrate the improvement of tissue healing and the possibility of tissue replacement with LLLT. Additionally, studies suggest that varying the wavelength, and using different pulses could improve the healing process and the duration in the course of treatment.

LLLT exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects especially against the cells that cause inflammation and the cytokines after 24 hours of treatments ^four. The research shows that low-level power lasers are more efficient than higher power settings. The longer treatment times, and more frequent treatment sessions, result in more lasting relief as time passes.

This is particularly important for those suffering from rheumatoid joint disease, since the joint’s inflammation could increase the degrading and immune responses to this particular joint. When paired with the right therapy for rheumatology, a reduction in inflammation could slow the progression of arthritis.

For those suffering from osteoarthritis, lessening pain could aid in increasing the likelihood to exercise, which could dramatically reduce the cause of the pain and degrading. Thus, it is an efficient instrument for an chiropractor to use as part of holistic treatments that combine LLLT along with behavioral adjustments including the proper posture education, exercise , and educational on losing weight. Additionally, reducing problems like nerve pressure, herniation, and other disorders that can be treated with traditional chiropractic methods can boost the effectiveness of LLLT and in turn, vice versa.

An LLLT dosing protocol

While every treatment is unique and all methods are different, the following guidelines for treating patients are accepted making use of LLLT:

1. Initial doses should be shorter and then increase in strength until you have established an individual’s sensitivity lasers.
2. It is recommended to take more frequent doses since they have greater results.
3. Photochemotherapy, which is the generally induced stimulation of blood flow through light therapy, must be considered 50 Hertz for 5 minutes , or 30 joules for the proximal artery of an joint affected — since blood flow can reduce inflammation and improves the healing of tissues.
4. After the initial symptoms are cleared, a recommendation to preventative treatments can maintain the reduction in inflammation and mobility in check.

Some results have been reported with treatments down spine and across the shoulders, particularly insecure regions and muscle areas where the pain begins. The treatment for shoulders, down the spine and to the legs and hips is proving effective in relieving neck and arthritis pain. But, it is dependent on the particular chiropractor and patient to assess its effectiveness.

Caution must be taken when using laser therapy as it could cause harm to arteries as well as nerve tissues. This is crucial for neck pain as the majority of laser therapy isn’t recommended when used close to the brainstem.

LLLT can be beneficial for neck and joint pain when it is used properly and when used in conjunction with other treatments that a chiropractor can offer. Knowing the cause of the pain as well as the corrective actions used can lead to a more lasting recovery as well as greater patient satisfaction.

Anthony CrifASE, DC, CNS, DACBN, is double board certified in clinical nutrition and keeps an active virtual Functional medicine as well as chiropractic practice. With experience across a variety of industries , and as a veteran chiropractor who is knowledgeable of the details practice of functional therapy, chiropractic and management of practices He is on the quest to help other chiropractors maximize their time, income and practices. Find out more information on drcrifase.com.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2974793/
2. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/10/e031142
3. https://www.fallingwaterscenter.com/services/laser-therapy/laser-research
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3978432/