When there is essentially no cartilage left, the bones rub against each other often causing severe pain. The good news is that there is a new treatment for this type of pain. That is cold laser therapy or low-level laser therapy. How does cold laser therapy relieve bone on bone pain?
Full Answer
Do lasers work for pain relief?
The concept that light energy from a laser can reduce pain and inflammation, accelerate healing in damaged tissues, relax muscles, and stimulate nerve regeneration seems farfetched. Science, however, tells us these effects do occur. The question is, to what extent and is this based on wavelength and power?
How can I relieve chronic knee pain without laser therapy?
Physical therapy may help to relieve chronic knee pain without the need for laser therapy. Home management strategies, such as rest, ice packs, compression, heat, massage, stretching, exercise, and the use of over-the-counter medications, can all offer temporary relief for minor knee pain.
How does laser therapy work for arthritis?
Most research has focused on osteoarthritis and chronic pain. If laser therapy does work, it is unclear how or why. The lasers might improve circulation, support cell health, release endorphins that fight pain, reduce inflammation, or encourage the growth of new, healthy tissue.
Does laser therapy work for wound healing?
Faster Wound Healing: “Laser light stimulates the building blocks of collagen, which is important in the wound healing of damaged tissues. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair injuries. High-power lasers are typically found in physical therapy clinics and chiropractic offices.
Does laser therapy speeds up the tissue healing process?
Laser therapy isn't just for pain relief The light from a laser stimulates the production of collagen, which is a protein essential in the process of repairing damaged tissue and repairing injuries. That makes it very effective for speeding up the healing process, while also preventing the formation of scar tissue.
How does laser therapy reduce pain?
Pain Relief: “Laser decreases nerve sensitivity by decreasing bradykinin; a pain eliciting chemical. It normalizes ion channels [cellular gatekeepers] and releases endorphins [body's natural pain reliever] and enkephalins [related to endorphins] that produce an analgesic effect.
Does laser therapy help joint pain?
Laser therapy offers patients a safe and effective therapy for a wide range of medical conditions, including soft tissue and sports injuries, arthritic conditions, repetitive stress injuries, wound healing and en extensive number of additional medical problems.
Who should not receive laser therapy?
It should also be avoided on the thyroid or eyes for home use. Since the effect of cold laser therapy on unborn children is unknown, it's suggested that pregnant women avoid this type of treatment. One of the drawbacks of this therapy may be time.
How long does it take for laser therapy to work?
Laser therapy provides you with a safe and effective alternative to drugs and surgery. Most patients see results within 3 to 5 short treatments.
Does lasers help inflammation?
Deep tissue laser therapy stimulates and accelerates healing and tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, and restores normal cellular function. Laser therapy is beneficial for treating the pain and inflammation associated with the following conditions: Neck and shoulder pain. Low back pain.
What is the side effect of laser treatment?
Redness, swelling, itching and pain. Treated skin may swell, itch or have a burning sensation. Redness may be intense and might last for several months.
Is laser treatment good for osteoarthritis?
A study in the August 2000 Journal of Rheumatology compared the outcomes of laser therapy used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with laser therapy had a 70% reduction in pain compared to the placebo group.
Does deep tissue laser therapy work?
Laser Therapy has been clinically proven as an effective treatment for pain and inflammation. Using this method, we are able to penetrate deep tissue structures. It also has the ability to treat a vast array of both acute and chronic conditions including low back pain, hip bursitis, and chronic neck pain.
When should you not use laser therapy?
The only absolute contraindication for laser therapy is direct or reflected exposure through the pupil onto the retina. Irradiation of or near the eye should not be performed.
How effective is laser therapy?
You might be surprised to learn, however, that upwards of 2,500 studies have demonstrated that laser therapy can be a highly effective approach for pain management and that it has earned approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of chronic pain.
What are the two main contraindications with laser therapy?
Contraindications for Use of Therapeutic Laser....ContraindicationsSystemic infection.The patient is unable or unwilling to consent to the procedure.Inability to utilize contrast solution due to known anaphylactic reaction.Evidence of an untreated localized infection in the procedural field.More items...•
What are the effects of lasers on tissue repair?
Also, some molecules that increase inflammation are reduced, and beneficial antioxidants like superoxide dismutase are increased. Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth: “Photons of light from lasers penetrate deeply into tissue and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth.
Why is laser healing so fast?
Faster Wound Healing: “Laser light stimulates the building blocks of collagen, which is important in the wound healing of damaged tissues. Collagen is the essential protein required to replace old tissue or to repair injuries. As a result, the laser is effective on open wounds and burns.”. Stem Cell Activation: “Laser increases the number ...
What are the different types of lasers used in physical therapy?
Two Types or Classes Used in Physical Therapy. There are two classes of lasers being used in physical therapy; class 3 and 4. “Class 3 lasers are less than 500 milliwatts (mw) in power while class 4 lasers are greater than 500 mw,” Dr. Coren said. Class 3 lasers are sometimes referred to as cold lasers, and the therapy may be called LLLT ...
What is class 3 laser?
Class 3 lasers are sometimes referred to as cold lasers, and the therapy may be called LLLT for low-level laser therapy. In contrast, class 4 laser therapy is sometimes called HPLT for high-power laser therapy. “The majority of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions respond better to a higher power and a higher dosage, ...
What is the purpose of lasers in physical therapy?
Stem Cell Activation: “Laser increases the number of stem cells, which enhances healing.”. High-power lasers are typically found in physical therapy clinics and chiropractic offices. Neck, back or joint pain usually responds quickly to laser therapy. “Lasers are also very effective for inflammatory conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, ...
How many joules does a laser have?
A 10-minute treatment with a 30-watt laser will produce 18,000 joules, which gives a significant pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and healing effect.”. Patients usually begin to feel better after 1 or 2 treatments, although 5 or more may be needed to resolve the problem. “The more chronic and extensive the injury the more treatments are usually ...
How deep does laser energy penetrate?
Once you are in the infrared spectrum and above 800 nanometers in wavelength, laser energy penetrates like x-rays, but to achieve depth you need significant power or energy,” Dr. Bruce Coren told SpineUniverse.
What is the treatment for degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee?
Improvement of Pain and disability in elderly patients with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee treated with low power light therapy (cold laser therapy)
How many studies have been done on cold lasers?
There are over 35 years of worldwide clinical success, 2,500 published papers and 120 randomized, controlled trials for cold lasers. It is the only therapeutic modality with a cumulative effect on cells and tissues. Both NASA and the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency have engaged in cold laser therapy research over the last decade, with noteworthy success.
What is a scaler wave laser?
The Scalar Wave Laser System is indicated for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, arthritis and muscle spasm, relieving stiffness, promoting relaxation of muscle tissue, and temporarily increasing local blood circulation. The System is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent disease. If you have a disease or medical condition, consult with your physician or health practitioner before using the Scalar Wave Laser. Use only as directed. No statements made here are intended as medical claims or advice and is for informational purposes only. © 2016-17 Discover Lasers and Kalon Prensky
How many acupoints are there in Cold Laser Therapy?
We now offer our exclusive Cold Laser Therapy eBook with laser purchase. You will learn how to treat over 250 symptoms and conditions with the 22 most important acupoints of the human body, plus learn about the healing power of using lasers on the microsystems with two BONUS Auricular therapy charts included.
How many protocols are there in Scalar Wave Laser?
This means that with the purchase of a Scalar Wave Laser with at least one probe, you will receive over 500 PROTOCOLS.
Can cold lasers help with knee pain?
Cold Laser Research for Knee Pain. These are overwhelmingly positive results from various Cold Laser Therapy Studies on the Treatment of Knee Pain. Knee pain doctors continue to use Cold Laser Therapy to Relieve Knee Pain with great success. Many individuals report getting their own Scalar Wave Laser and using it at home to accomplish similar ...
Is laser therapy as effective as NSAIDS?
…From the findings of a recent Norwegian Health Technology Assessment Report, laser therapy was given the potential of becoming at least twice as effective as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), if applied with optimal dose and energy… Although the number of laser trials is still smaller than for NSAIDS, the unequivocal scientific findings so far, has earned cold laser therapy a top spot in levels of evidence and treatment recommendations for knee osteoarthritis issued by the Norwegian Drug Agency.
Why do people need laser therapy for osteoarthritis?
Patients suffering from osteoarthritis must undergo laser therapy to relieve discomfort, inflammation, and pain. One study shows that patients with osteoarthritis who underwent this procedure had a 70% reduction in pain than patients in the placebo group.
How many sessions of laser therapy are needed for better results?
Overall, it is an effective treatment option with no or minor side effects. However, you will need to undergo five to ten sessions or more for better results.
How does osteoarthritis affect your life?
Osteoarthritis can cause stiffness, inflammation, and pain. It also leads to a limited range of motion and decreased flexibility in your body, affecting your day-to-day life, including personal and work activities. Studies show that about 32.5 million adults in the United States have osteoarthritis.
Can laser therapy be used for arthritis?
A growing body of research evidence shows that low-level laser therapy can treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, and other forms of arthritis.
Is laser therapy a non-invasive treatment?
However, all these treatment options have side effects that can further cause complications. Laser therapy is a non-invasive technique and effective treatment option for people with osteoarthritis.
Does laser therapy help with osteoarthritis?
Bear in mind that low-level laser therapy does not produce thermal or heating effects. Instead, it initiates a cascade of cellular events to heal the damaged joints and reduce discomfort, inflammation, and pain associated with osteoarthritis. Read on!
How much does cold laser therapy cost?
Cold laser therapy could drain your wallet. One treatment session could cost up to $200. You might need up to 30 sessions to get the full benefits. Some insurance policies may not cover cold laser therapy.
What is cold laser therapy?
Cold Laser Therapy for Knee Pain. Cold laser therapy beams light energy at your skin to reduce pain and inflammation deep within an area of your body, like your knee. It’s used to treat knee pain from osteoarthritis (OA), as well as low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia, tendinitis, nerve pain, ...
What is the best treatment for knee pain?
Build more connective tissue in your knee. Trigger endorphins, natural hormones that ease pain. Nondrug alternative. Cold laser therapy is a drug-free alternative to opioids for knee pain.
How long does a cold laser pulse last?
It will either touch your skin or be very close to it. The device sends a quick light pulse into your knee that lasts from 30 to 60 seconds.
When was cold laser therapy invented?
Cold laser therapy was first developed in the 1960s. It’s also called low-level laser therapy (LLLT), soft laser therapy, or photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT).
Can you use cold laser for knee pain?
Results from cold laser therapy may vary, depending on the cause of your kne e pain, any other health conditions you have, or the exact laser treatment or device used. There’s no standard cold laser therapy dose or approach , so results can vary. Some doctors are skeptical about cold laser therapy and may not recommend it.
Is cold laser surgery invasive?
Noninvasive. Cold laser therapy doesn’t cut into your skin to treat knee pain, so it isn’t invasive like surgery.
What causes cartilage loss in the knee?
Cartilage loss in the knee joint can also result from injury to the knee, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, meniscus tears, and patellar (kneecap) dislocations that increase the risk of cartilage damage and development of knee osteoarthritis in the future. 1.
Why does cartilage wear down?
Cartilage in the knee begins to wear down over time from repetitive stress to the knee joint. Prolonged sitting and standing often result in increased discomfort, and weight-bearing activities like walking, squatting, and going up and down stairs can be very challenging and painful without adequate cartilage for cushioning and support. 1
What is the most common type of surgical procedure performed to repair, remove, or replace damaged cartilage in the knee joint?
Knee arthroscopy is the most common type of surgical procedure performed to repair, remove, or replace damaged cartilage in the knee joint that can be causing pain and limiting range of motion of the knee joint.
How many injections of hyaluronic acid for knee?
With viscosupplementation, you may receive between one and five injections. If there is excess swelling and fluid buildup in the knee joint, your healthcare provider will use a needle to aspirate, or remove, the fluid before injecting the hyaluronic acid. You should avoid prolonged standing, walking, jogging, running, or heavy lifting for the first 48 hours after receiving a hyaluronic acid injection. 4
Why do you need knee braces?
Knee braces are strongly recommended for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis to help decrease pain and improve function. 3.
How does weight affect cartilage?
Losing extra body weight can help decrease symptoms of cartilage loss by reducing the pressure applied on the knee joints and slowing down inflammatory processes caused by metabolically disrupting fat cells. 2
What is the best medicine for knee pain?
Over-the-counter pain relieving medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) or anti-inflammatory medications like naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation in the knee joint. 3
How to treat cartilage loss in knee?
A variety of treatments are used to treat cartilage loss in the knee. Generally, treatments range from simple conservative measures such as weight loss and exercise to more invasive treatments such as injections or surgery. Overall, we recommend simple treatments first before more invasive treatments.
How to tell if knee cartilage is worn out?
Generally, symptoms of worsening knee cartilage wear include pain with activity, swelling of the joint, and reduced knee joint function . Often, previously simple tasks such as walking, housework, and standing from sitting become more difficult due to pain, swelling, and restriction.
Why does cartilage wear out in the knee?
The most common cause of knee cartilage wear is osteoarthritis. Knee cartilage loss can be due to an injury to the knee such as a ligament tear, patellar dislocation, or meniscal tear. In addition, loss of cartilage can be triggered by lifestyle factors such as weight gain, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Also, inflammatory arthritis conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can lead to further damage.
How long does it take for PRP to help knee pain?
Recent studies suggest that PRP or platelet-rich plasma improves knee pain over 12 months compared to gel injections, cortisone, and other substances.
How long does a gel injection last?
Previously, repeated injections every week were required. Now, there is a high molecular weight longer-acting gel that only needs to be injected once. Overall, these injections can last 6-12 months.
What is the best anti-inflammatory drug for pain?
Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug that reduces inflammation and pain.
What is the best medication for arthritis?
Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen reduce pain associated with no cartilage. However, the effect is small. Generally, diclofenac or etoricoxib works best for arthritis. But, you need to be aware of possible side effects such as gastritis, reduced kidney function, and increased blood pressure. One alternative to tablets is topical NSAID creams or ointments, which have shown to be effective for relieving the pain of hand and knee osteoarthritis.
How to help arthritis pain?
It’s reasonable to try non-surgical measures to see if you get relief. Cortisone shots, viscosupplementation, physical therapy, braces, anti-inflammatory medications, platelet-rich plasma and stem cells can all be options to try to decrease pain from arthritis .
What is the most common surgery for arthritis in the shoulder?
Joint replacements are some of the most common surgeries in orthopedics. Patients with pain from arthritis in their knees, hips and shoulder try non-surgical treatments to overcome that pain. At some point, they decide they want surgery to try to get relief.
Can you have knee replacement if you have no cartilage?
Unfortunately, arthroscopic surgery to look in the knee and clean up the worn out cartilage probably won’t do much to improve your condition. Knee replacement can be the best option if you truly have no cartilage. Also read: