Comprehensive laser/light therapy for treating chronic low back pain must therefore include the use of both red and infrared wavelengths. A GaAs superpulsed infrared laser, or high-output GaAlAs infrared laser, is necessary to obtain the deep tissue penetration needed to effectively treat the deeper structures of the back.
Full Answer
What is cold laser therapy for back pain?
Cold laser therapy is a treatment that uses low levels of light from a laser to stimulate healing. It's often used to treat back pain. The treatment is referred to as "cold" because the intensity is low enough not to generate heat; it doesn't actually cool your tissues, though.
Can laser surgery help leg pain caused by back problems?
If you have leg pain caused by a spinal deformity, minimally invasive or laser surgery may improve the leg pain briefly, but may not fully treat the root cause. “You may have pain from the back instability,” he says. “If all one uses is a laser, the bigger problem is missed.”
Is laser treatment good for herniated disc pain?
Low Level Laser Therapy for Pain Due to Herniated Disc. In a general review on low level laser treatment, the Cochrane Back and Neck Group concluded that although no side effects were reported, they could not find enough evidence in favor of using cold laser for non-specific low back pain to recommend it.
How many laser treatments do I need for chronic low back pain?
Chronic low back pain patients will usually respond best to 3 to 4 treatments per week. Maximum effect is often reached in 3 to 4 weeks, but several months of care may be necessary in extremely complex cases. It is important to allow for both delayed and cumulative effects, which commonly occur in patients receiving laser therapy.
Is laser therapy good for lower back pain?
Laser therapy can be used in the treatment of back pain, arthritis, muscle strains, fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and shoulder pain, plantar fasciitis, and even tennis elbow. In short, virtually any kind of chronic pain can be effectively treated by using laser therapy.
Is laser treatment good for your back?
Surgeons use lasers to remove portions of soft tissue that can compress nerves, such as ligament enlargement or herniated discs. However, lasers are only appropriate for certain conditions. They can help surgeons remove either tumors from the spinal cord or bone and soft tissue from around a nerve.
How does laser treatment work for back 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.
How many laser treatments do I need for back?
As a general rule of thumb, the majority of patients need four to six sessions. Individuals rarely need more than eight. Most patients will see results after three to six visits. Additionally, treatments are spaced out about every six weeks since individual hairs grow in cycles.
What are the side effects of laser treatments?
Possible laser hair removal side effects include:Mild swelling around the hair follicles.Pigment changes may occur, especially in those with darker skin – these changes are usually temporary.Slight redness of the skin.Temporary irritation resulting in blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture.
What are the side effects of laser therapy?
Laser therapy can result in misdirected or excessively intense burns, bleeding from the choriocapillaris, damage to macular and other ocular structures, and breaks in Bruch's membrane.
How long does laser therapy last?
The exact number of laser treatments varies as everyone is different. Most people need between 6-8 sessions, spaced out every 6 weeks, so the full treatment can take up to 9 months.
Does laser help nerve pain?
Conclusions. Deep tissue laser therapy significantly reduced pain and improved the quality of life of older patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Is laser treatment painful?
“Most of the lasers have a cool tip. There are also vacuum assisted high speed lasers that do not cause any pain, with the patient only feeling their skin getting pulled. In other words, it is fast and painless. If someone is sensitive, topical anesthesia can be given to them in the form of numbing creams.
Does laser therapy work for herniated disc?
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy can dramatically reduce the pain associated with the following: Low Back Strain. Bulging, Herniating or Slipped Discs.
Are 3 laser sessions enough?
Laser hair removal works better on some people than others, since everyone regrows hair at different rates. But the average results you can expect is for 70% to 80% of hair regrowth reduction after a full four to six courses of treatments. At the three treatment mark, at least 50% of your hair will be gone forever.
Does laser help arthritis?
Low level laser therapy was introduced as an alternative non-invasive treatment for RA and OA about 10 years ago. The application of non-invasive, drug-free light has provided reduction in swelling, inflammation and pain to affected joints.
How long does it take to recover from laser back surgery?
The recovery time for laser spine surgery is generally less than 6 weeks, whereas the recovery time for traditional spinal surgeries is around 3-6 months. So while laser alternatives aren't always appropriate, spinal issues where they are applicable can be much more easily treated with this procedure.
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.
What is the cost of laser back surgery?
This is a significant because laser spine procedures can range anywhere from $4,000-$90,000 and many patients are shocked when they find out that they're not covered by their insurance and are left to foot the bill on their own.
Can laser spine surgery help degenerative disc disease?
Laser back surgery isn't recommended for some conditions, such as degenerative spine diseases. Additionally, more complex or complicated conditions will often require a more traditional surgical approach. One of the drawbacks to laser back surgery is that you could need an additional surgery for your condition.
What Is Chronic Back Pain?
Back pain is a common medical condition numerous individuals may face at some point in their lives. Many cases of back pain are acute, which means they may develop suddenly due to an injury or accident, but the pain typically doesn’t last longer than six months.
Sections of the Spinal Column
There are four areas of your spinal column, each with a different name and region. Understanding what portion of the spine you’re experiencing chronic pain in is the first step towards receiving adequate treatment. The four sections of the spine include:
Laser Therapy for Chronic Back Pain
Low-level laser therapy, commonly known as cold laser therapy, is an effective and non-invasive treatment to reduce chronic back pain. The innovative laser technology used during a low-level laser treatment can reduce back pain through a process known as bio-stimulation. This alternative chronic back pain treatment carries no risk.
Effectiveness of Lasers for Chronic Back Pain
Laser treatments for chronic back pain can alleviate pain, discomfort and limited mobility associated with low back pain. While one of the most obvious and beneficial aspects of laser treatments is that they can provide pain relief, laser treatments also offer other health benefits.
Low-Level Laser Treatments for Chronic Back Pain
At Erchonia®, we believe in the seemingly limitless potential use and applications of low-level laser technology. Our team is committed to advancing cold laser treatments through the scientific and clinical research that has transformed our company into a world leader in the field of low-level laser technology.
What is the best treatment for a herniated disc?
Other treatments for herniated disc include chiropractic and/or epidural steroid injections, often in combination with each other as well as LLLT.
What is cold laser therapy?
Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT. on October 15, 2020. Cold laser therapy is a treatment that uses low levels of light from a laser to stimulate healing. It's often used to treat back pain. The treatment is referred to as "cold" because the intensity is low enough not to generate heat; it doesn't actually cool your tissues, though.
How to treat joint pain?
Other alternative treatments that may help reduce inflammation and joint pain with a low risk of unwanted side effects include: 1 Exercise 2 Electrical stimulation 3 Acupuncture 4 Laser acupuncture
How long does it take for a disc to reabsorb?
However, it’s well known that your body will reabsorb extruding disc material over the course of about a year.
What are some ways to reduce joint pain?
3 . Other alternative treatments that may help reduce inflammation and joint pain with a low risk of unwanted side effects include: Exercise.
Can cold laser therapy be used for joint pain?
That paper also stated that cold laser therapy can be effective for joint disease if the energy level is one that inhibits inflammatory activity in the joint capsule. A 2011 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapies compared spinal manipulative therapy with low-level laser therapy for people with facet joint pain in their ...
Is cold laser therapy good for spondylosis?
Another study, published in the September 2012 issue of Laser Therapy, found cold laser treatment to be effective for pain due to herniation of a cervical disc that's related to spondylosis. This study also found that posture education was key to retaining the benefits of LLLT long-term. 7 .
Why do you need lasers for back pain?
Lasers can be used to help decompress the nerve, with the aim of relieving pain. This is done under local anesthesia, which means that the skin and surrounding muscles of your back will be numbed to pain. You may also be sedated for the procedure.
What are the complications of laser back surgery?
One of the main potential complications from laser back surgery is damage to the surrounding tissue. Because a laser is used for the procedure, heat damage can occur to surrounding nerves, bone, and cartilage. Another possible complication is infection.
What causes pain in the lower back and leg?
An example of one such condition is sciatica, where the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, leading to pain in the lower back and leg.
What is laser surgery?
During laser back surgery, a laser is used to remove portions of tissue located around the spinal cord and nerves of the back. Unlike the other types of back surgery, it may only be appropriate for very specific conditions, such as when nerve compression is causing pain.
How long does it take to recover from miss surgery?
Generally speaking, people who’ve undergone MISS may return to work in around six weeks. You may have read that laser back surgery has a faster recovery than other procedures.
Is laser back surgery invasive?
The benefits of laser back surgery are that it’s less invasive than the traditional approach to back surgery. Additionally, it can be performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. In many ways, it’s very similar to MISS.
Is laser back surgery covered by insurance?
The cost will vary from state to state. Insurance coverage can vary by insurance provider and insurance plan. Before undergoing any sort of procedure, you should always check with your insurance provider to see if it’s covered by your plan.
Why does laser surgery cause less pain?
He or she uses a tool to tunnel to the site of the pain. Because the muscles aren’t elevated from the spine, there is less pain after surgery and the recovery time is often shorter, allowing people to return to their day-to-day activities more readily. Laser surgery.
Why do surgeons use lasers?
Surgeons use lasers to remove portions of soft tissue that can compress nerves, such as ligament enlargement or herniated discs. However, lasers are only appropriate for certain conditions. They can help surgeons remove either tumors from the spinal cord or bone and soft tissue from around a nerve.
How does a surgeon work on the spine?
Then, the surgeon dissects the muscles away from the spine so that he or she has a clear pathway to work on the spine.
Can you use a laser for degenerative spine?
Lasers can treat some patients, but only for certain conditions. Experts rarely recommend using a laser for people with degenerative spine disease, for instance. Here’s how it stacks up against other methods. Traditional surgery.
Can lasers cause nerve damage?
Nerve damage: Using a laser during surgery can sometimes limit nerve damage. But in the hands of an inexperienced surgeon, a laser can actually increase the chances of tissue or nerve damage. Advertising Policy.
How does laser therapy help with cell damage?
Laser also causes a widening of the arteries and veins around the injury which helps to remove damaged cellular debris and increase nutrients and oxygen. White blood cell activity is enhanced leading to a more rapid repair process.
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, ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 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.
How to help back pain?
Depending on the cause of pain, you may need osteopathic manipulation or chiropractic adjustments. Massage therapy can also help with back pain relief and restore function.
How to get back to normal after back surgery?
Lower back pain usually gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers. After a few days of rest, you can start to get back to your normal activities. Staying active increases blood flow to the area and helps you heal. Other treatments for lower back pain depend on the cause. They include:
Why does my lower back look flat?
Your lower back may look flat instead of curved. Muscle spasms: After a strain, muscles in the lower back can spasm or contract uncontrollably. Muscle spasms can cause extreme pain and make it difficult or impossible to stand, walk or move.
What are the risk factors for lower back pain?
Risk factors for lower back pain include: Age: People over 30 have more back pain. Disks (soft, rubbery tissue that cushions the bones in the spine) wear away with age. As the disks weaken and wear down, pain and stiffness can result. Weight: People who are obese or carry extra weight are more likely to have back pain.
Why does my lower back hurt?
Lower Back Pain. Lower back pain is very common. It can result from a strain (injury) to muscles or tendons in the back. Other causes include arthritis, structural problems and disk injuries. Pain often gets better with rest, physical therapy and medication. Reduce your risk of low back pain by keeping at a healthy weight and staying active.
Why does my back hurt so bad?
Structural problems: Severe back pain can result from conditions, such as scoliosis, that change spine alignment. Disease: People who have a family history of osteoarthritis, certain types of cancer and other disease have a higher risk of low back pain. Mental health: Back pain can result from depression and anxiety.
What causes back pain?
Disease: Spine tumors, infections and several types of cancer can cause back pain. Other conditions can cause back pain, too. These include kidney stones and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Spondylolisthesis: This condition causes the vertebrae in the spine to slip out of place.
What to do if your back hurts?
Massage. If your back pain is caused by tense or overworked muscles, massage might help. Yoga. There are several types of yoga, a broad discipline that involves practicing specific postures or poses, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques.
What are some alternative treatments for back pain?
Always discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before starting a new alternative therapy. Chiropractic care. A chiropractor manipulates your spine to ease your pain. Acupuncture.
What is the best treatment for pain in the leg?
Cortisone injections. If other measures don't relieve your pain, and if your pain radiates down your leg, your doctor may inject cortisone — a strong anti-inflammatory drug — plus a numbing medication into the space around your spinal cord (epidural space).
How long does cortisone pain last?
A cortisone injection helps decrease inflammation around the nerve roots, but the pain relief usually lasts only a month or two. Radiofrequency neurotomy. In this procedure, a fine needle is inserted through your skin so the tip is near the area causing your pain.
How to stop pain from a swollen thigh?
Bed rest isn't recommended. Continue your activities as much as you can tolerate. Try light activity, such as walking and activities of daily living. Stop activity that increases pain, but don't avoid activity out of fear of pain.
How long does it take for back pain to go away?
Most back pain gets better within a month of home treatment. However, everyone is different, and back pain is a complex condition. For many, the pain doesn't go away for a few months, but only a few have persistent, severe pain.
What can you do to find out if you have a herniated disk?
MRI or CT scans. These scans generate images that can reveal herniated disks or problems with bones, muscles, tissue, tendons, nerves, ligaments and blood vessels. Blood tests. These can help determine whether you have an infection or other condition that might be causing your pain. Bone scan.
What is the best treatment for low back pain?
Several types of complementary therapy may be helpful for relief from low back pain. These include: acupuncture, in which therapists insert hair-thin sterilized needles into precise points in the body to release blocked energy. spinal manipulation, in which chiropractors apply pressure directly to the body to correct spinal alignment.
What are some home remedies for low back pain?
movement therapies, such as yoga and tai chi, which can help stretch and strengthen back muscles. Although the evidence is mixed about whether these therapies are effective, when they do work, it is often when they are combined with the other home remedies for low back pain. – By Matthew Solan. Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch.
Why does my lower back hurt?
Sometimes, a disc pushes outside the space between the bones and compresses a nerve at the point where it branches off the spinal cord . When the sciatic nerve that leads into the buttocks and leg is affected, the pain is called sciatica.
How to heal a swollen back?
But try to limit it to a few hours at a time and for no more than one or two days. Physical activity. Exercise helps build strong, flexible muscles that will be less prone to injury. It can also help the healing process for an aching back, prevent problems in the future, and improve function.
What to do if you have a back injury?
Cold and heat therapies. It's best to use cold compresses or an ice pack, not heat, immediately following a back injury, since this can alleviate pain by numbing the area and prevent or reduce swelling.
How long does it take for a low back to heal?
If the pain does not improve after three to four days, then it's time to see a doctor. However, depending on the source of your back pain and its severity, you might try a few home remedies for low back pain to help ease the pain until your back returns to normal. Here are several options to consider:
How many people have back pain?
In fact, according to the Harvard Special Health Report Men's Health: Fifty and Forward, back pain affects about four in five Americans at some point in their lives and equally strikes men and women. Age is often the culprit.
Low Back Pain
Neurologic Response
- There are several neurologic responses to laser therapy that may influence brain recovery or prevent brain atrophy as well as several of the physiologic effects listed above. Oron et al studied the effects of gallium arsenide (GaAs) laser irradiation on ATP production in normal human neural progenitor (NHNP) cells.²⁴ Tissue cultures were treated with the GaAs laser, and ATP levels wer…
Tissue Penetration and Saturation
- Chronic low back pain is a complex clinical condition that involves many different tissue levels—from subcutaneous and muscle tissues to the deeper tendons and ligaments, including the intervertebral disc. Laser therapy, if it is to be effective, must be applied in a way that will produce significant biochemical changes in the superficial, medium, and deep tissues. Red light …
Conclusion
- Therapeutic lasers and other phototherapy devices have been shown to be safe, often effective, easily used primary or adjunctive therapy that is relatively cost-effective to both the clinician and patient. The multiple biochemical and physiologic effects of laser irradiation, including the anti-inflammatory effects, pain modulation, accelerated tissue healing, and immune and neurologica…