Laser Therapy in Kitsilano - Effective Pain Relief!
If you are a medical professional or a word buff, you probably know that when the suffix “itis” is added to the end of a word, it indicates the presence of inflammation. There are so many common conditions that include this suffix in their nomenclature that people often don’t think about the inflammatory component. Yet looking at the naming conventions of medical conditions can help us better understand their qualities, and more importantly, potential treatments.
When developing a treatment plan for “itis” conditions, you can expect that inflammation reduction will play a key part in the treatment process. Typically, patients focus on relieving the pain, while the clinician may be focused on both relieving the pain and reducing the inflammation to not only make the patient more comfortable in the short term, but also encourage resolution of the condition and permanently reduce discomfort.
Common therapeutic approaches for pain and inflammation reduction include ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and ice. Each of these methods does their part in reducing pain and inflammation, but there is another method that also works wonders – laser therapy.
What makes laser therapy an excellent choice for patients and clinicians looking to reduce both pain and inflammation? For one, it is non-invasive, fast, and effective. Additionally, laser light works with the body on a cellular level, specifically targeting damaged cells and tissues, to activate the body’s own analgesic and inflammatory mechanisms. The effects are also photochemical in nature, not photothermal, so thermal damage to tissue is not a concern as it may be with other common treatments. Finally, laser therapy can also increase vasodilation, helping to bring vital nutrients to damaged areas.
Treatment plans for chronic “itis” conditions, like arthritis, usually focus on maintenance of pain and inflammation, rather than complete resolution. Often, several medications are used to alleviate the symptoms – typically one or more for each symptom, and occasionally additional ones to manage the side effects.
Laser therapy presents a great option for people looking for a drug-free, non-invasive treatment option. Class IV therapy lasers are particularly effective for treating the pain and inflammation related to arthritis because they are more powerful and can deliver larger doses in shorter treatment times. When treating chronic conditions like arthritis, larger dosages are recommended for maximum relief. Treatments every two days for 6-10 sessions is recommended.
Epicondylitis is another common condition that is notoriously difficult to treat and resolve. Cortisone shots are a common treatment for this condition, and can be effective for temporary relief of pain and inflammation at the injection site. However, these treatments are not without side effects, and do not generally facilitate long-term relief or resolution.
Laser therapy has been shown to effectively treat this condition, without side-effects, by promoting long-term relief from the symptoms associated with chronic epicondylitis. It can additionally be used to treat areas other than the direct site of pain, which is especially helpful in chronic cases that frequently see the development of satellite pain sites. Most cases require 8-10 treatment sessions.
Most people have either suffered from plantar fasciitis themselves or have known someone who has. It can be an extremely painful condition that patients struggle to find relief from. Treatment options range from orthotics such as inserts, splints, and boots, to medications such as aspirin or even opioids. Patients can also engage in certain exercises to help stretch and strengthen the area.
Physical therapy is another treatment option that is especially effective when coupled with laser therapy. The laser helps to reduce the pain and inflammation quickly to enhance the positive effects from the physical therapy. The laser can also be used to relieve inflammation in areas such as the calf and hip, which may either be contributing to or affected by the initial condition.
Typically, 6-10 treatment sessions are advised for this condition.
Proximal adductor strains and groin pain injuries are common in hockey. These types of injuries can be difficult to recover from because of their involvement in controlling the skates on ice. The pectineus and adductor (longus, brevis, and magnus) are often the culprits, as they play a synergistic patterning role in hip flexion and extension.
Application of laser therapy with an open cone attachment to the pectineus and adductor complex can help reduce inflammation and pain in these areas. Depending on the laser model being used, the clinician can treat with anywhere between 10-25 watts of power, with the length of treatments being dependent on the power used. Typically, 6-10 sessions should be scheduled, followed by reassessment.
Medial and lateral knee sprains frequently occur in hockey players as a result of both microtrauma and the direct trauma of impact. Often, lack of mobility in the hip and ankle contribute to excessive motion in the knee joint, while fascial snags in the soft tissue of the knee will alter elastic force transmission from ankle to the hip, leaving the player at greater risk of injury. Referred pain to the knee from trigger points in the thigh can also lead to discomfort and reduced mobility.
Ligament injuries caused by such trauma respond well to a combination of laser therapy and corrective exercise, and laser therapy can be applied during, before, or after the course of corrective exercises to reduce any related pain or swelling. Depending on the extent of injury, it may require anywhere between 4-10 sessions.
Direct impact shoulder injuries causing impingement and joint compression are another common injury in hockey. Bursitis and inflammation of the surrounding tissues can restrict range of motion, making it difficult to control the hockey stick and puck with the expected level of precision. Decreased motion over time may progress to osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, so it’s important to assess the shoulder blade and latissimus muscle in all shoulder joint mechanics.
To effectively reduce such shoulder pain and inflammation, a massage ball attachment is used to deliver a laser therapy treatment to the shoulder joint, paying special attention to the posterior capsular region, as well as the pectoralis minor and rotator cuff muscles. Application of the laser therapy into the latissimus dorsi muscle and down to the thoracolumbar fascia is also typically performed. A noted positive impact on the shoulder range of motion is very common with these conditions.
While injuries can’t be prevented, the downtime and damage they cause can be lessened with proper assessment and treatment. So, it is important to have the right tools available when injury happens. Help put pain and inflammation in the penalty box this hockey season with laser therapy!