Source: Chromatic Wellness Center
May 29, 2024 Every year in the United States, surgeons carry out approximately 700,000 total knee replacements, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), and about 1 in 5 people are dissatisfied with their results. Many things can lead to a knee replacement, ranging from osteoarthritis, to trauma, or impaired range of motion. What if we told you that there was an alternative treatment for knee pain? There is a non-invasive treatment that can alleviate symptoms of arthritis, either preceding or following knee replacement surgery. This treatment is scientifically known as photo-bio-modulation, which does exactly what the name says: photo=light, bio=life, modulation=change. Or in other words, the use of light to stimulate cells and create change. This is also known more popularly today as laser light therapy.
Laser light therapy employs a range of multiwavelength light sources to stimulate the body’s musculoskeletal system as well as the nervous system, triggering communication between the cells and prompting the body to restart its natural healing process and to “return to normal.”
In a review² of ten studies aimed to determine the effects of laser light therapy on rheumatoid arthritis, it was seen that treating rheumatoid arthritis with laser therapy significantly improved pain levels and overall functional score. Laser light therapy was not only seen to alleviate pain, but to also reduce inflammation, minimize scarring, and accelerate cellular regeneration.
While the exact pathways are not well understood, the results are undeniable. Below are the most likely mechanisms of action at work. The use of multiple wavelengths of light, versus a single wavelength of light, is likely triggering all these mechanisms to simultaneously happen, leading to more efficacy and also faster healing.
Increased Cellular Metabolism: Laser light therapy is believed to enhance mitochondrial function, leading to increased production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which boosts cellular energy levels and promotes healing.
Reduction of Inflammation: Laser light therapy can reduce inflammatory markers and cytokines, decreasing inflammation in the treated area. This is significant in conditions like osteoarthritis, where inflammation is a major cause of pain.
Modulation of Pain: Laser light therapy may increase the release of endorphins and other pain-relieving substances, while also decreasing levels of pain-related neurotransmitters such as substance P. This dual action helps in reducing the sensation of pain.
Improved Blood Flow: Enhanced microcirculation from laser light therapy can improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissues, aiding in tissue repair and reducing ischemic pain.
Nerve Function: The therapy might also contribute to nerve repair and reduce nerve sensitivity, which can lead to lower pain perception.
While we continue to figure out the science behind this therapy, we can look to true accounts from real people who have undergone treatment. Below is a review from a retired Army general after just 3 treatments on his knee with laser light therapy.
Unfortunately, laser light therapy is not popular in the US outside of its use in aesthetic applications. Laser light therapy’s therapeutic applications are still new to Americans, even as the rest of the world is embracing it as a very effective non-invasive treatment modality for conditions that are “underserved” by current treatment modalities.
Luckily, that is starting to change as more wellness centers, such as Chromatic Wellness Center in Sacramento, CA start to introduce multiwavelength devices and treatment options. Reach out to Chromatic Wellness Center today for a free consultation for you or a loved one, and discover the healing potential of laser light therapy today.
References 1 Cold Laser and High-Power Laser Therapies - Medical Clinical Policy Bulletins | Aetna 2 Chia WC, Chang CH, Hou WH. Effects of Laser Therapy on Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2021
3 Zhang Y, Ji Q. Current advances of photobiomodulation therapy in treating knee osteoarthritis. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2023
4 Balbinot G, Schuch CP, Nascimento PSD, Lanferdini FJ, Casanova M, Baroni BM, Vaz MA. Photobiomodulation Therapy Partially Restores Cartilage Integrity and Reduces Chronic Pain Behavior in a Rat Model of Osteoarthritis: Involvement of Spinal Glial Modulation. Cartilage. 2021
5 Nakamura T, Ebihara S, Ohkuni I, Izukura H, Harada T, Ushigome N, Ohshiro T, Musha Y, Takahashi H, Tsuchiya K, Kubota A. Low Level Laser Therapy for chronic knee joint pain patients. Laser Ther. 2014
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