If you’re dealing with chronic pain, you know how frustrating it can be to try different medical treatments without finding relief or progress.
But don’t give up just yet!
Have you heard of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT)?
LLLT and RSWT are innovative alternative treatment methods offered by Elite Spine Centres that have been effective in helping with the recovery of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, along with pain relief.
This article will outline the differences between these treatments and help you decide which of these therapies is more suited to you.
What is Low-level Laser Therapy?
LLLT, also known as cold laser therapy, promotes healing by exposing the tissue to very specific wavelengths of light.
The laser treatment machines produce specific wavelengths and intensities of light to interact with human cells.
Depending on the dose and the treated area, the beam is held above the patient’s treatment section for 30 seconds to several minutes.
Just like how plants use photosynthesis to convert light energy into food, the light-sensitive elements of our cells absorb the light energy from LLLT. This stimulates growth and healing in the targeted area.
The Benefits of LLLT
Research has shown that laser therapy results in accelerating cellular repair, boosting collagen synthesis, and reducing scar tissue formation. It can even have anti-inflammatory effects!
In a study of 46 patients who had a clinical diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome, it was shown that LLLT provided faster, optimal clinical outcomes compared to just physical rehabilitative exercises.
Furthermore, LLLT can help speed up the nerve cell processes, resulting in decreased numbness and pain for those with nerve-related conditions.
With its highly effective yet safe and non-invasive nature, it’s no wonder that LLLT has gained immense popularity.
Conditions LLLT Can Help With
The low-intensity laser is used to stimulate all types of cells, including ligaments, cartilage, muscle, and nerves, making it a versatile treatment option for a wide range of conditions:
- Neuropathic pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain or frozen shoulder
- Knee pain
- Back pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia pain
- and more!
What is Radial Shockwave Therapy?
RSWT, a type of extracorporeal shockwave therapy, encourages healing by carefully and purposefully “re-injuring” scarred areas in the muscle with rapid percussion shockwaves: causing neovascularization and, therefore, restoration to take place.
Shock wave therapy is a treatment option that is often used to help relieve pain and facilitate the rehabilitation of damaged tissue.
After the doctor has detected and pinpointed the treatment spot, a friction-reducing gel is applied to provide smooth and effective transmission of the percussion waves.
The apparatus will then produce a succession of high-speed impulses, causing the handle’s projectile to move up and down at a precisely set frequency and power.
Even in areas damaged for a long time, these regulated impulses start a cascade of cellular reactions that enhance blood flow and tissue restoration.
Benefits of RSWT
It’s believed to be effective due to three main mechanisms of action:
- breaking down fibrous adhesions between tissues to restore mobility,
- stimulating a metabolic reaction in the affected tissue,
- and producing an analgesic effect that blocks pain signals to the brain.
And the best part?
Research shows that up to 80% of patients with persistent pain who have tried shockwave therapy reported successful improvement of pain intensity, either alone or in combination with other therapies as needed.
Many patients even report feeling immediate pain relief after the procedure.
Conditions RWST Can Help With
- Tendonitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Jumper’s knee
- Heel spurs
- Golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow
- and more!
What is the Difference between Low-level Laser Therapy and Radial Shockwave Therapy?
As highlighted, RSWT uses shockwaves to stimulate a metabolic reaction in the tissue and break down scar tissue, while cold laser therapy uses light waves to interact with cells and reduce inflammation and pain.
Both treatments are non-invasive and can be effective in managing pain and promoting healing, but they work through different mechanisms.
The two techniques can both aid in enhancing blood flow and encouraging growth factors to heal damaged tissue.
But the difference lies in how these methods impact inflammation; LLLT reduces inflammation while RWST increases it.
Consider the laser as a cellular guide that helps cells move through the stages of healing more quickly and effectively. Meanwhile, RWST reactivates the inflammatory response and encourages blood flow to regions that require it to initiate a healing response.
So, which treatment should you pick?
Though the information above can help in your determining which treatment is optimal for you, it is always recommended that you schedule a consultation with one of the many illustrious chiropractors at Elite Spine Centres.
Elite Spine Centres can find the best treatment for you!
Here at Elite Spine Centres, we provide cutting-edge alternative treatment methods that have shown significant success in relieving chronic pain, performed by some of the best chiropractors in the country.
During the consultation, the chiropractor will assess your condition and recommend a customized treatment plan that may involve manual therapies, advanced technologies like low-power laser therapy or shockwave therapy, or rehabilitation exercises.
With this personalized approach, along with services from some of the best chiropractors in the industry, we have no doubt patients are provided with the best chance of achieving long-term recovery and relief from their symptoms.
Don’t let chronic pain hold you back any longer!
If you are interested in learning more about LLLT or RSWT and how they can help you, contact us today!