ML830 Cold Laser

Are you looking for an effective and alternative treatment option that can relive pain and help your body heal itself from chronic injuries?  Then you might consider low level laser therapy (LLLT) or cold laser therapy.

The application of cold laser sends light (photons) into injured tissues.  The photons emitted can penetrate two inches beneath the skin surface without being absorbed by the skin, fat or blood, thus targeting deeper tissues.  Once the photons penetrate injured tissues, they stimulate and energize the cells to repair and strengthen itself.  In short, the body converts laser light into a form of energy that it can harness for self repair and healing.

Cold laser has been used for over 40 years in other countries, and has been FDA approved in 2002 for safe use in the United States.  Cold laser has endless applications because of its approach to healing.  Its low intensity does not burn like other high powered surgical lasers.

The benefits of laser treatment are pain reduction, reducing inflammation and increasing tissue healing time.  It is effective in treating many conditions that limit people from leading healthy and active lifestyles such as Arthritis, Neck and Back Pain, Headaches, Shoulder Rotator Cuff Pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, TMJ Pain, Tendonitis and Bursitis, Plantar Fasciitis, Fractures and many other conditions.

Most treatment sessions last between 15 – 30 minute intervals, and most conditions may take up to 5 – 8 treatments before significant improvement is noticed. Countless people are reaping the benefits of cold laser and eliminating their dependence on pain medication, delaying and avoiding surgery, decreasing and eliminating pain, and returning to a healthier and active lifestyle.

Kerri Walsh- 2008 Olympic Beach Volleyball

The exciting thing about the practice of manual therapy, is the ability to incorporate other treatment techniques to restore pain free movement.   If you watched the 2008 Olympics in Beijing China, chances are that you noticed the intricate patterns of taping that adorned some of the athletes, especially the volleyball players.  The taping technique used is unique, in that it allows one to remain active with a muscle injury.

The taping technique used is known as Kinesiotaping, and is used as an adjunct to treat injured muscles and joints by enhancing the body’s own natural healing process through the activation of its neurological and circulatory systems.  Unlike athletic taping where a joint is immobilized and activity limited, Kinesiotaping allows for freedom of movement during the healing phase, making it a very favorable intervention.

This taping method was developed in Japan 25years ago by Dr. Kenzo Kase.  The goal of Kinesiotaping is to support injured muscles, correct joint problems, improve circulation and activate the analgesic system of the body.  Next time you have a muscle injury that results in pain with activity, ask your therapist whether you can benefit from Kinesiotaping to reduce your pain and promote healing and restore function.  Remember, Kinesiotaping works.

Hasheem Thabeet- 2009 Junior UCONN Basketball

PNF stands for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. It originated in the late 40’s by Dr. Kabat and Maggie Knott to provide tools to help patients gain efficient motor function (Adler 1993).  A simpler translation of PNF is the use of sensory receptors in the skin to stimulate nerves and muscles, to allow for easier and more efficient movement patterns.  PNF is a specific treatment approach used to improve movement, coordination, stability, strength, endurance and overall function.  It can be used to treat any body part from the cervical spine to the foot.

Pain is an inhibitor of effective and coordinated muscle performance and it can be a sign of potential harm (Hislop 1960, Fisher 1967).  This is always addressed during every treatment session.  During a session, a patient assumes a position that allows for the most effective movement of a specific body part.  The therapist uses manual contact to initiate and facilitate a specific movement pattern. This treatment approach requires active patient participation and involvement making it functional.  It also allows for integrative manual therapy skills to be incorporated into the treatment session.  This approach requires one on one therapist attention since it is tapered to each individual patient.

After a couple of sessions, patients see a significant improvement with postural and movement patterns needed in everyday activities.  They also develop easier and less painful movement patterns, thus allowing them to return to activities they were doing before their injury pain free.  This makes PNF a highly cost effective and efficient tool in today’s medicine, where patients are looking for ways to decrease pain and improve function in fewer treatment sessions and with the best outcomes.