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Pain Management / Cold Laser Therapy

 COLD LASER THERAPY

Dr. Dunsky is currently one of a few health practitioners in Massachusetts using Cold Laser Therapy. The main therapeutic effect of these lasers is to stimulate the repair and healing process of an injury, condition or wound.

The result of this therapy is diminished pain, reduced inflammation, decreased edema, faster healing times and increased strength of repaired tissues.

TYPES OF CONDITIONS TREATED BY COLD LASER

This therapy can stimulate all cell types including muscle, ligament, cartilage, nerves, etc., therefore, many conditions can be treated by cold laser therapy: 

Arthritis

• Back Pain

• Neck Pain

• Sciatica caused by inflammation

• Piriformis syndrome

• Rotator cuff injuries

• Fibromyalgia

• Jaw Problems

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Tendonitis 

-Golfer's Elbow, Tennis Elbow and Achilles Tendonitis

• Bursitis

• Burns, bruises and post-operative wounds

• Sprains and strains

• Thoracic outlet syndrome

• TMJ dysfunction caused by inflammation

• Oshgood Schlotter's disease

• Acute tenosynovitis

• Knee Pain

• Initial stages of Jumper's knee

• Plantar fasciitis and many other conditions

Degenerative Conditions

Patients whose conditions are degenerative in nature will not be cured by laser therapy. However, they can experience significant, long term relief in their symptoms due to the physiological effects of laser therapy. These patients will also require occasional maintenance treatments to continue to see these results

Examples of Degenerative Conditions that are treated with Cold Laser Therapy:

Degenerative Disc Disease

• Osteoarthritis

• Ankylosing spondylitis

• Tendinopathies

• Chrondromalacia Patella (Patellofemoral syndrome)

• Chronic jumper's knee

• Myositis Ossificans

HOW COLD LASER THERAPY WORKS

Cold laser therapy is based on the process of light absorption into the cells,   also known as photo-biotherapy. This stimulates protein synthesis, as well as cell metabolism, improving cell health and ensuring proper cell functionality.The main therapeutic effect of cold laser is to stimulate the repair and healing process of an injury or wound. It has also demonstrated the ability to significantly accelerate and enhance the body's natural defenses.

The lasers used in cold laser therapy are low-intensity, and are hardly comparable to laser types used in other treatments, which intentionally use heat and heat damage to be effective. Therefore, cold laser treatment poses no risk of cutting or burning on the treated skin area. Instead, wavelengths of light interact with the tissue to stimulate the cells of the target area, and dramatically accelerate its healing process. This function helps eliminate inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. The absorption rate of the lasers is so low that cold laser treatment is safe and painless.

CLINICAL RESPONSE

Clinical responses that we can anticipate from Low Level Laser Treatments (LLLT)-

1. Anti-inflammatory. LLLT reduces oxidative stress: Mitochondria in stressed or ischaemic tissues produce nitric oxide (mtNO) that binds to cytochrome c oxidase competitively displacing oxygen leading to oxidative stress and reduced ATP production. Light of suitable wavelength, sufficient irradiance and time when applied to injuries is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase displacing mtNO thereby reducing oxidative stress and increasing ATP production. A cascade of downstream metabolic effects lead to a reduction in inflammatory markers including prostaglandin E2, interleukin 1β and tumour necrosis factor α. 

2. Analgesia. LLLT creating a nerve block. Higher irradiance / energy treatments can induce an analgesic effect by disrupting fast axonal transport in small diameter fibers, in particular nociceptors. This temporary (reversible) inhibition of A-delta and C fibre transmission reduces tonic peripheral nociceptive afferent input and facilitates reorganisation of the modulation of synaptic connections. Repeated treatments lead to a reduction in central sensitisation.

3. Increase Healing Process by wavelengths of light that interact with the tissue to stimulate the cells of the target area, and dramatically accelerate its healing process. Recent molecular based studies show how red and infrared light is absorbed by soft tissue cells in muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves to accelerate healing.1 This is possible via increased metabolic processes, enhanced micro-circulation and production of our bodies' natural fuel (adenosine triphosphate).

EFFECTIVENESS OF COLD LASER THERAPY

For years, physicians have been using cold laser therapy on patients who are seeking effective, alternative methods for pain relief. Since 1967 there have been over 2,500 clinical studies published worldwide. Many of these studies are double-blinded, placebo-controlled and have demonstrated cold laser therapy to be a proven method for pain relief. -Spine Health

POTENTIAL COLD LASER ADVANTAGES

  • Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure, meaning that it does not require a surgical incision. This means that there is no prolonged recovery time. 
  • -Laser therapy also does not involve taking any medications.  
  • -Studies have so far found that cold laser therapy does not have serious side effects when used properly by a doctor.

POTENTIAL COLD LASER DISADVANTAGES

  • -Cold laser therapy does have several disadvantages. 
  • -Patients do not typically get full relief or resolution from their pain symptoms after the first treatment. It takes a series of treatments, usually 8 to 30, depending on the severity and duration of the condition. 
  • -Patients often have to return to the doctor for treatments at least 2 to 4 times per week. 
  • -Old injuries may be aggravated for a few days after treatments, but for most patients this sensation is short term, lasting for a couple of days.
  • -Medicare and Medicaid do not cover cold laser therapy expenses. 
  • -Some major medical insurance carriers do assist with payment and others do not cover any of the treatment.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Cold laser therapy should not be used over any suspicious cancerous lesions, or carcinoma, over the thyroid, on pregnant patients, and there should not be direct irradiation of the eyes, as the laser can cause permanent damage to the eyes. Pregnant women are recommended not to undergo the procedure, since its effects on unborn children are not yet known. The doctor and the patient should use protective eyeglasses so that there is no direct eye exposure.

SUMMARY

Cold laser therapy can provide pain relief or pain reduction, especially for patients seeking a treatment without the use of surgery or drugs. It can be used alone or in combination with a number of other therapies. It is considered a viable treatment option for those seeking an alternative to invasive treatment. Cold laser therapy is yet another method in the set of tools to help assist in pain relief, and it is considered a reasonable treatment option for certain types of pain by most health care professionals. -Spine Health

Most Common Questions Asked:

What Does Therapeutic Laser Therapy Feel Like?

Most people don't feel anything during the treatment, while some patients may feel a slight tingling sensation. Low power lasers do not generate perceivable heat. Therefore, when the laser contacts the skin, the patient experiences no warmth and no burning as a result of the laser. For this reason, they are sometimes called "cold" lasers.

When Should I Feel Results?

Patients do not typically get full relief or resolution from their pain symptoms after the first treatment. It takes a series of treatments, usually 8 to 30, depending on the severity and duration of the condition. Chronic injuries may be aggravated for a few days after treatments, but for most patients this sensation is short term, lasting for a couple of days. The main healing effect of laser therapy can be noticed hours after each treatment.  Also, Laser Therapy is cumulative which means that each visit builds upon the one prior.

Is it Safe?

Therapeutic laser therapy is safe and painless. In fact, after many years of clinical use in Europe and Canada, low power lasers have been found to have no adverse effects.

How Long Does it Take?

Treatments may last as little as 5 minutes or as long as 20 minutes. The total number of treatments required is usually 8-30, usually the more the more chronic or severe the condition / injury, the more treatments may be needed.  While some patients get some immediate results, others usually require several treatments before there is a noticeable effect.

What Is Retracing?

Occasionally patients will feel a little worse in the earliest stages before they start to feel better. This is mostly true of very chronic, severe conditions.

Are the Results Long Lasting?

Therapeutic Laser Therapy is about healing. It's not about masking or covering up a condition. When you feel better from this therapy... it's because you are better. Therefore, results have been found to be quite long lasting.  Naturally, you are expected to help in your healing process so that you don't undo the work that's being done on you.

CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION NOW

CONSULTATION LINE   508-309-7475

Very Important:

Patients are asked to bring any reports and imaging, such as X-rays, MRIs, CTs to the consultation.

$50 Consultation Fee required to book appointment.  If accepted for treatment, the $50 consult fee will apply to your care plan.

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Testimonial

Review By Our Satisfied Patient

  • "Dr. Dunsky and the entire staff has been absolutely amazing and truly helped me when I was in a time of crisis with a neck injury! Their knowledge and service is impeccable and I refer everyone I know to them now as their clinic is TOP NOTCH!"
    Jennifer H.