Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), commonly known as "cold" laser, has been used worldwide for over 40 years to relieve pain, remove scars, heal wounds, regenerate nerves and solve addictions. On Jan. 17, 2002, the first U.S. LLLT company, Erchonia, received FDA clearance through clinical trial. The study took 100 patients complaining of neck and shoulder pain. Half were treated with a useless red light (placebo group) similar to that on a computer mouse or grocery check-out, and the other half received LLLT.

The treatment group beat the placebo group by 66 percent! That's 66 percent faster relief and more complete relief - a remarkable margin. Such a study is known as "double blind" research, and is the gold standard for measuring the validity of a therapy. Similar studies have been passed by the FDA for carpal tunnel, wounds and scar tissue. There are over 2,000 published studies on LLLT reporting zero negative side effects. Visit www.Erchonia.com for in-depth research.

In a nutshell, LLLT causes tissues - muscle, skin and nerve - to heal 66 percent faster, according to the above FDA study.

Specifically, LLLT works at the cell level. Human cells produce a chemical known as ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) to run the body and heal tissue. All of our body's activities result from the use of ATP; it's like gasoline to a car. LLLT stimulates a micro-structure within the cells called the mitochondria (nicknamed the "powerhouse" because it produces ATP) to produce slightly higher amounts of ATP. Thus with more ATP at the cell level, tissues heal faster, and therefore relief comes quicker.

As is true of many alternative therapies, you may receive alternative benefits to being treated in addition to what you wanted fixed in the first place. This is because the ATP being produced is "systemic," meaning although we're focusing the laser on a particular area, the ATP is ultimately being sent throughout your entire body.

The list of symptoms responding to LLLT is growing, and more valid research is being performed on a daily basis.

Acute and Chronic Pain

Knee Pain

Neck and Back Pain

Headaches and Migraines

Shoulder Pain

Nerve and Disc Pain

Carpal Tunnel

Sciatica

Sports Injuries

Scars and Scar Tissue

Tendonitis

Wrist/Hand Pain

Four to 12 treatments are necessary to begin the healing process of tissue, although in some cases, relief can begin immediately. Maximum treatment would be once a day per area, minimum would be once a week, to still see results. Multiple areas of complaint may be treated. This treatment cycle may need to be repeated, and eventually spread out.

At Disk and Spine Northwest, we utilize cold laser treatments to decrease pain and inflammation, increase range of motion, and a whole range of other conditions. We have seen firsthand the tremendous benefits of incorporating this modality with our patients.

Dr. Wayne Fichter is the lead doctor at Disk and Spine Northwest, a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation center specializing in the treatment of serious, chronic back pain, acute injuries and postural/scoliosis problems. Contact him at diskandspinenorthwest.com or (208) 215-3261.