Can Lasers Heal a Herniated Disc?
Posted by Doctor under Articles, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Neck Pain, Newsletter on Friday, May 29th, 2009 1:11 pm|
Can Lasers Heal Herniated Discs? |
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Many practitioners use lasers over herniated and inflamed discs. However, there has never been a scientific study that demonstrated accelerated disc healing with LLLT (low level laser therapy). In this study (Biomed Sci Instrument 2008;44:34-40) done at University of Mississippi Medical Center, the researchers investigated the effects of low power laser on the healing process of a traumatized disc in an animal model.
The rats received 830 nm wavelength laser treatment for a period of 4 weeks. The results of this study indicated that the discs of the laser treated animals healed more effectively than the sham group. Image analysis revealed that there was more disc formation in the laser irradiated animals than the sham.
In conclusion, data obtained from this study demonstrated that laser irradiation delivered on traumatized discs resulted in a remarkable increase in discs regeneration and healing following trauma. When researchers describe the results as “remarkable” it is worth watching. This is especially true in light of the research that shows that photons do penetrate deeply into the disc and spinal cord.
However, because the disc is very deep, a powerful, cold laser would probably be required for consistent success. |
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Which Modality is More Effective, Laser or Ultrasound? |
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There is a lot of research on laser and ultrasound, but there is very little information comparing laser to ultrasound. In this study (Photomed Laser Surg 2009 Jan 26), the researchers investigated the effectiveness of splinting, ultrasound (US), and low-level laser (LLL) in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study is important because of the frequency of CTS and the fact that there is no consensus about the best way to manage CTS.
Patients were randomly allocated to three groups that receive either splinting only, splinting plus US, and splinting plus LLL therapy. The study was completed with a total of 100 hands of 50 women patients with bilateral CTS. It appeared that the combinations of US or LLL therapy with splinting were more effective than splinting alone in treating CTS. However, LLL therapy plus splinting was more advantageous than US therapy plus splinting, especially for the outcomes of lessening of symptom severity, pain alleviation, and increased patient satisfaction.
This again supports prior research that documents that, although ultrasound has some healing effects, there is little doubt that laser is significantly more effective at stimulating healing, while increasing healthy tissue proliferation, than ultrasound. |
