Low level laser light therapy
Pain Management
There are many ways to treat and manage pain. You should always begin by seeking a medical diagnosis to identify the underlying cause and triggers of your pain. You and your health professional can then decide the best strategy and develop the personalised management approach that is best for you. Many practitioners recommend a multi-modal approach, that combines a range of treatments and therapies (such as combining clinical treatments with exercise).
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is a useful tool in a multi-modal pain management strategy as it is used to treat a wide range of pain conditions, from short-term injuries (such as sporting injuries or sprains) to wound healing and long-term pain.
Common Treatment Applications
Mild osteoarthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. The Handy Pulse Laser can be an effective home-based treatment, as part of a multimodal approach to treating mild osteoarthritis. Low level laser therapy can temporarily relieve pain, reduce swelling and increase mobility. Studies show the effects of low level laser therapy decreases pain and morning stiffness for mild osteoarthritis sufferers.
Neck and back pain is very common and extremely debilitating. In patients with long-term low back pain, combining laser light therapy with exercise has been found to be more beneficial in reducing pain than exercise alone.
One of the most common applications for low level laser therapy is to treat knee pain. Knee pain can severely limit your mobility and ability to perform normal activities – from walking, weight-bearing or standing to exercise and sport. Low level laser therapy is becoming widely used to treat inflammatory knee pain because it is a non-invasive, comfortable treatment that goes to the source of the pain to promote healing, rather than simply masking the pain.
Mild joint pain in the knees, fingers, hands and feet can be uncomfortable for sufferers. It can be caused by injury or inflammation to the surrounding tissues, tendons, ligaments or muscles. The laser works at the cellular level to increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation and relieve pain. For people with mild joint pain, a reduction in pain and inflammation can mean improved mobility and overall wellness.
Acute or short-term pain is commonly caused through injury. Athletes are especially prone to injuries. Low Intensity Laser Therapy acts to reduce the inflammation surrounding damaged soft tissue and relieve the debilitating associated pain. Many professional athletes are supporters of low level laser therapy to treat sports related injuries and post-performance recovery. Reducing the pain and inflammation of an injury can mean faster healing and recovery.
Long-term or persistent pain is defined as daily pain that persists for more than three months. In some cases, the pain may continue for many years. Pain may arise from surgery, illness or injury. Musculoskeletal pain resulting from wear and tear to the body is also a common cause. In some causes there may be no direct link to a cause.
The Handy Pulse Laser device is a useful tool in the pain management toolbox, in particular for those seeking to complement clinical visits with a home-based treatment. Many long-term pain sufferers who are referred to low level laser therapy use it in conjunction with other therapies and treatments, including exercise. For many sufferers, the primary goal is to manage the pain, restore movement and improve the overall wellness.
Tennis elbow (and golfer's elbow) is a painful condition caused by damage in the soft tissue and inflammation in the tendons of the elbow, caused by overuse of forearm muscles. Low level laser therapy has been shown to be beneficial for sufferers of these repetitive strain symptoms. The laser therapy helps soft tissue repair and can improve mobility and reduce pain. Carpal tunnel syndrome resulting from repetitive intricate manual work tasks with your hands has also responded favorably to laser therapy.
Important note for patients: Every patient and medical condition is unique and not all patients and conditions will respond to LLLT in the same way. Information on this website should not be considered as medical advice. Please consult your health professional.
