CONDITIONS

Cold laser therapy (CLT), also known as photobiomodulation therapy or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), uses wavelengths of light to treat a variety of ailments. These wavelengths interact with the affected tissues in order to achieve accelerated healing. Doctors may use this treatment for patients who suffer from either chronic or acute conditions. The ultimate goal of Cold Laser Therapy is to alleviate symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and spasms. Through this symptom alleviation, many patients find a return to greater functionality in the target area. CLT has actually been around for quite some time now. Initially, Albert Einstein discovered the theory of light amplification through stimulated emission of radiation (LASER) in the early 1900s. Fifty-one years later, Professor Andre Mester started using low-power lasers to treat his patients. This was the first notable use of such a treatment in the field of medicine. The FDA categorizes medical lasers into three groups. The most powerful are class 4 surgical lasers, which doctors use to cut through tissue. This is the only “painful” type of medical laser. The next laser category is class 3B non-surgical lasers, which do not cause pain or burning sensations. This laser class, however, is able to reach deeper areas, which allows it to address problems with joints and deep tissues. Lastly, are class 3A lasers, which doctors use to heal minor injuries and conditions. This laser is the weakest of the three. What Does Cold Laser Therapy (CLT) Treat? CLT is versatile, as it works on all cell types (such as muscle, ligament, cartilage, nerves, and so on). Because of this fact, there are many conditions that exist where CLT is a viable treatment. Here is an overview of common conditions that CLT treats: Arthritis: At its most basic form, arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints in the body. The problem may be a result of cartilage degeneration from everyday wear and tear, or it may be because of an autoimmune disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis). The condition exists in many forms. General arthritis symptoms include pain, stiffness, and swelling. Arthritis of the knee is the most common, as it is a load-bearing joint. Fibromyalgia Pain: A common, yet complex, chronic pain disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body. Fibromyalgia is not very well understood, and symptoms vary in intensity from case to case. There are often mental health symptoms associated with this condition, such as depression and difficulty concentrating. Tendonitis: Tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendons–the cord-like glue that holds bones and muscles together. Most commonly, this injury is the result of minor, repetitive impacts in the same area over a period of time. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome compresses the primary nerves in the hand as they pass through the wrist. Usually, this condition causes pain, numbness, and tingling in both the hand and arm. Most of the time, this condition worsens without treatment. Thankfully, CLT is known to give carpal tunnel relief. CLT also treats more general

If you’re suffering from joint swelling or pain, then your doctor may suggest a procedure called an arthrocentesis. Sometimes known as joint aspiration, this procedure involves using a needle and syringe to remove fluid from a swollen joint. In many cases, this procedure only takes a few minutes to perform. And, it is rarely associated with complications. Use this guide to understand how arthrocentesis works, as well as how it can be used to diagnose your joint pain. Understanding the Joints Every move you make, from turning your head to running in a marathon, requires the cooperation of your bones, muscles, and joints. Your muscles are connected to skeletal bones by strong tissues called tendons. These tendons serve to aid your muscles in moving your bones at junction points, called joints. More specifically, joints refer to areas where two bones meet. Without them, we wouldn’t have the ability to move our limbs or walk. There are many different types of joints in your body. Synovial joints (unlike the immovable bones of your skull) are classified by the movements they allow. The four types of movable joints include: Pivot Joints: Joints that allow the bones to rotate. A cylinder-shaped bone is wrapped by another ligament or bone to form a ring around it. The first and second vertebrae of the neck form a pivot joint that enables the head to turn. Hinge Joints: Joints that permit for the bending and straightening of long bones. Bones that make up a hinge joint come together at smooth surfaces and are bound by strong ligaments. Anatomists classify the elbow and knees as hinge joints. Ball-and-Socket Joints: A type of joint that allows for the greatest range of movement. These joints consist of a bone with a spherical head that fits into a divot (or socket) of another bone. Tendons and ligaments hold these bones together. Your hips and shoulders are categorized as ball-and-socket joints. Gliding Joints: These joints meet at flat surfaces to glide past one another along the plane of the joint. Some bones in the wrists and ankles function as gliding joints. For your joints to work effectively, they need lubricant to facilitate movement with minimal friction. Most joints contain a substance known as synovial fluid, which helps to cushion the bones and promote smooth movements. In addition, synovial fluid delivers nutrients to the protective cartilage that lines these joints. Lastly, a tiny, slippery sac, known as a bursa, resides between our bone and soft tissues. A bursa sac is responsible for producing and storing the synovial fluid which bathes our joints. What is Arthrocentesis? Over time, the amount and composition of the synovial fluid in joints can change. For example, those with knee osteoarthritis may develop excess or thinner synovial fluid in the knee joint. Orthopedic doctors use arthrocentesis to remove some of this extra synovial fluid from a joint or bursa. Doctors typically recommend this procedure for three reasons: Diagnostic Testing If you are having problems with one or more

Are you suffering from arthritis pain? If so, you may be wondering about natural remedies that can help to lessen the pain. After all, some pain medications harbor nasty side effects and others have even been deemed to be habit-forming. Finding the right supplements for you may reduce the use of these costly—and potentially dangerous—medications. In addition, certain supplements have demonstrated effectiveness in soothing arthritis pain. Use this guide from NJ Spine & Ortho to understand the different types of arthritis pain as well as the various classes of supplements that may help. What is Arthritis? If you were recently diagnosed with any form of arthritis, then you probably want to know more about your condition. As one of the leading causes of disability in America, arthritis can impact just about anyone. According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis affects more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children. To put it into perspective, that’s almost the population of the states of New York and California combined. Arthritis is an umbrella term for a set of chronic conditions that cause inflammation of the joints. Believe it or not, there are actually more than 100 types of arthritis and inflammatory diseases. These conditions cause mild-to-severe swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints. They also can decrease your range of motion and make everyday tasks, like climbing the stairs, very difficult. How to Prevent Arthritis Unfortunately, doctors have yet to identify a single cause of arthritis. The condition may develop at any time and without any forewarning. There are, however, some risk factors that you should know. Some of these factors—like age, gender, and family history—are completely outside of your control. However, if you are interested in arthritis prevention, there are some lifestyle changes that you can make. These modifications include: Occupational & Leisure Activities: Strenuous jobs and high-impact activities, especially those that require excessive squatting or bending, can trigger arthritic episodes, such as bouts of hip joint pain. (To learn more about how you can enjoy some of your favorite activities free of pain, check out our blog – Hobbies that Cause Neck, Back, & Joint Pain.) Smoking: Tobacco users have an increased risk of developing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. General Health: Overweight or obese individuals are more likely to develop arthritis. In addition, extra weight causes stress on the joints, which can worsen your condition. Injury & Infection: When joints are damaged by trauma or spinal infection, arthritis is more likely to develop. Diet: While certain foods do not cause arthritis, they can worsen inflammation that is already present in the joints. These inflammation-triggering foods include sugary snacks, processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats. Common Forms of Arthritis As noted, there are many different types of arthritis. While some are very rare, others affect millions of people. Two of the most common forms of arthritis include: Osteoarthritis (OA): A disease that affects the bones and cartilage that line our joints. Once cartilage starts breaking down, our bones start to grind against