Low-Level Laser therapy relieves neck pain NYC

Low-Level Laser Therapy Relieves Neck Pain NYC
Review Supports LLLT as Short- and Mid-Term Treatment of Pain in Neck
By: Chris Maynard

Cold laser NYC


Nov 16, 2009 (Spine-Health) -- Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) provides effective pain relief of both acute and chronic neck pain, according to a recent review and analysis of various trials examining the efficacy of using wavelengths of light to treat pain in the neck.


The review headed by researchers in Australia and recently published in The Lancet studied 16 randomized, controlled trials including a total of 820 patients with neck pain that could not be linked to a specific cause. The researchers ultimately concluded that low-level laser therapy provides immediate relief of acute neck pain and mid-term relief of chronic neck pain.

Using a 100-point scale to account for and compare differences in the severity of neck pain after treatment involving either low-level laser therapy or a placebo, researchers found that 70 percent of patients with acute neck pain were more likely to experience reduced pain following LLLT. It should be noted that only 2 trials involving LLLT for acute neck pain were available for review.

The study also found that low-level laser therapy was beneficial for chronic neck pain sufferers, although the effects were not as quick when compared to acute sufferers. According to the review, it took up to 22 weeks for patients with chronic neck pain to experience relief from LLLT, although these patients were 4 times more likely to have reduced neck pain than those treated with a placebo. In the past one noted disadvantage of low-level laser therapy has been the required number of treatments, which can range from 8 to 30 sessions.

Also known as cold laser therapy, low-level laser therapy involves a clinician holding cold lasers over the injured area for 30 seconds to several minutes. These lasers emit photons of light that pass through the skin and are absorbed by the cells with the theoretical goal of reducing inflammation and pain and accelerating the body’s natural healing process. The exact ways in which cold laser therapy treats neck pain is still not fully understood, a point that the review noted as worthy of future study.

Based on their review, the researchers suggested using cold-laser therapy in conjunction with a regular program of exercising and stretching when treating neck pain.

In addition to neck pain, cold laser therapy is used by some chiropractors and pain management professionals to treat back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, tendonitis and knee pain. When indicated, this procedure may be preferred by patients who have the above symptoms and/or conditions, and want to avoid medication or invasive treatments.

Related Article:
Cold Laser Therapy Pain Management Treatment
Sources: The Lancet, Medical News Today
To learn more about Cold laser therapy/Low-level laser therapy in NYC
visit us online @ http://drshoshany.com/cold_laser_therapy.php

NYC Chiropractor Adds New Therapy for Chronic Back, Neck and Joint Pain to Downtown Practice

NYC Chiropractor Adds New Therapy for Chronic Back, Neck and Joint Pain to Downtown Practice

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Low-Level Lasers Effective in Chronic Neck Pain

I have used Low-level laser therapy or Cold laser therapy in my NYC practice for close to 7 years, I have found it to be extremely effective in reducing pain and dysfunction.
Cold laser therapy NYC

By John Gever, Senior Editor, MedPage Today
Published: November 13, 2009
Reviewed by Zalman S. Agus, MD; Emeritus Professor
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and
Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner
Although no one is sure how it works, low-intensity laser therapy appeared to be effective in relieving chronic neck pain, researchers found in a meta-analysis.

Pooled data from 16 randomized, controlled trials indicated that most patients reported both short- and medium-term pain relief with the noninvasive treatment, according to Roberta T. Chow, MBBS, PhD, of the University of Sydney in Australia, and colleagues.

"The results of low-level laser therapy in this review compare favorably with other widely used therapies, and especially with pharmacological interventions, for which evidence is sparse and side effects are common," the researchers wrote online in The Lancet
The procedure involves shining low-intensity laser beams -- too weak to generate biologically significant heat -- usually at the back or side of the neck, targeting muscles, and vertebral joints. Wavelengths of 780, 810 to 830, or 904 nm are typically used. These beams are able to penetrate several centimeters of tissue.

Several possible mechanisms of action have been proposed. The radiation may have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting prostaglandins and/or cytokines. Alternatively, it may reduce oxidative stress and muscle fatigue, with support from some animal studies and clinical experiments.

A third possibility is that the laser light alters nerve signalling at the neuromuscular junction or elicits overt nerve blockade.

Whatever the mechanism, however, the randomized, controlled studies included in the review showed a clear clinical benefit for the treatment.

None of the individual trials were very large -- the biggest (led by Chow herself) had 90 patients. In total, 820 patients participated in the 16 studies.

Five of the studies, with 122 patients, included the presence of global improvement, relative to sham treatment, as an outcome.

The relative likelihood of improvement with the laser treatment was 4.05 (95% CI 2.74 to 5.98), Chow and colleagues found.

In 11 trials with 333 patients, the weighted mean change in pain severity -- as reported by patients on a 100-mm analogue scale -- was 19.86 mm relative to controls (95% CI 10.04 to 29.68).

In four studies that measured pain severity 10 to 22 weeks after treatment ended, with a total of 86 patients, there was a weighted mean improvement from baseline of 23.44 mm at the end of follow-up (95% CI 17.11 to 29.77).

Overall, the researchers said, the trials "show moderate statistical evidence for efficacy of low-level laser therapy" for neck pain.

Limitations to the available evidence include the differences in laser treatments -- schedules and doses as well as wavelengths -- and in the varieties of neck pain with which patients had presented.

Current diagnostic terms "suggest distinct clinical entities; however, there is strong evidence that a definitive diagnosis of the causes of neck pain is not possible in a clinical setting," the researchers wrote.

They said adverse effects from treatment were minimal. Several studies reported increased tiredness.

The primary safety concern with the treatment is the possibility of inadvertently directing the laser into patients' eyes, Chow and colleagues said. Safety glasses would be required in all studies.

In an accompanying commentary, Jaime Guzman, MD, of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C., said the existing evidence on low-level laser therapy still leaves many questions unanswered, especially on the mechanism of action.

Nevertheless, he said, "this evidence is more solid than that for many current interventions."

"Although mechanisms of action and effects on function and occupational outcomes are not clearly understood and warrant further impartial study, low-level laser therapy is an option worthy of consideration for management of nonspecific neck pain," Guzman wrote.

External funding for the study was not reported.

Chow and some co-authors reported relationships with the World Association for Laser Therapy and healthcare professional societies. No authors reported relationships with manufacturers of laser therapy devices.

Guzman declared he had no conflicts of interest.


Primary source: The Lancet
Source reference:
Chow R, et al "Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials" Lancet 2009; DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61522-1.

Additional source: The Lancet
Source reference:
Guzman J "Neck pain and low-level laser: Does it work and how?" Lancet 2009; DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61837-7.
Cold Laser therapy, Low-level laser therapy NYC
www.livingwellnewyork.com

Herniated disc at L5-S-1, what should I do?

Herniated disc NYC?
I recieved a email from someone yesterday I wanted to post the question and answer. I hope this helps.
If you suffer with a Herniated disc in NYC visit the NYC herniated disc specialists at http://www.livingwellnewyork.com/


Question: I have a herniated disk in my lower back, is surgery the only option to fix it?

Answer-A herniated disc can be a scary diagnosis for anyone especially if you are active. The disc is the jelly like substance between your back bones “vertebrae”. The disc helps to provide space for the exiting nerve roots and helps to cushion weight carried throughout the spine. The disc is a structure that has a poor blood supply, so once it is injured it generally it does not heal properly and degenerates with time. This middle of the disc is called the nucleous and it moves or herniates and it can put pressure on very delicate nerves and cause pain or weakness.
The traditional medical model involves medication to reduce inflammation and analgesics to reduce pain as well as physical therapy to strengthen core muscles. Chiropractic care has been proven to be a successful treatment for management of the herniated disc and effective in reducing low back pain.
A fairly new treatment has been used that is non-surgical and not only decreases pain but helps to restore the discs height and reduce the disc herniation.
It is called spinal decompression; this non-invasive treatment has been utilized worldwide with an impressive success rate close to 90%. When this method is combined with a physical therapy program designed to strengthen Core muscles the results are impressive. Spinal decompression involves specialized equipment that gently lengthens the spine which helps create a vacuum and the injured disc level. This vacuum allows the disc material to return its normal position. If you are diagnosed with a herniated disc it is in your best interest to learn more about this treatment. Visit www.truespinaldecompression.com

If you live or work in NYC and are currently suffering with Chronic low back pain,Sciatica, or pain due to a herniated disc feel free to visit my website to learn more about spinal decompression and our properiatry non-surgical treatment protocols.
http://www.drshoshany.com/

An Athlete's best Friend -

Tiger Woods - The World's Greatest Golfer

"I've been going to the chiropractor for as long as I remember. It's as important to my game as practicing my swing!"




An Athlete’s Best Friend-

It doesn’t matter if you are a professional or a weekend athlete, your best friend is your chiropractor. Chiropractors are some of the most actively involved health-care professionals in the sports-related conditioning, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The most typical injury involves the back, neck or shoulder, caused by over the head movements found in sports like tennis, softball, pitching, hockey, and even golf leading to pain and restriction mobility. Chiropractic adjustments are vital in restoring the biomechanics of shoulders, neck, upper back, and hips. Many professional sports teams employ chiropractors to prevent and treat sport-related injuries.

A sports injury can take up to eight weeks to heal depending on the particular injury. Shoulder and knee injuries take the longest as those joints are the least stable. Once the injury has healed, it is a good idea to continue with regular chiropractic adjustments to keep the body balanced properly and functioning at its peak. Do not wait until you are injured. Preventative chiropractic treatments are the place to start your athletic endeavors.
If you seeking a Chiropractor in NYC visit my website www.drshoshany.com
If you suffer with a Herniated disc it can prevent you from enjoying recreational activities.
If you live or work in NYC and suffer with a Herniated disc you should know, that Non
Surgical spinal decompression has been tremendously successful in not only eliminating the pain associated with a herniated disc but reducing the size of the herniation and ending the Sciatica.
To learn more about Chiropractic care and or Spinal decompression treatment in NYC visit us online at
www.livingwellnewyork.com

DRX 9000 NYC for treatment of Sciatica due to a herniated disc

DRX 9000 NYC.
Herniated disc NYC Spinal decompression for treatment of Sciatica due to a herniated disc- consult the herniated disc specialists at www.livingwellnewyork.com

Sciatica (or sciatic neuritis) is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five nerve roots that give rise to the sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve itself. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, and/or various parts of the leg and foot. In addition to pain, which is sometimes severe, there may be numbness, muscular weakness, pins and needles or tingling and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, the symptoms are only felt on one side of the body. Some patients describe the pain as a pinched nerve down the leg.

Although sciatica is a relatively common form of low back pain and leg pain, the true meaning of the term is often misunderstood. Sciatica is a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is irritating the root of the nerve, causing the pain. This point is important, because treatment for sciatica or sciatic symptoms will often be different, depending upon the underlying cause of the symptoms. Instead of over medicating and masking the pain get the root of the problem.

One of the possible causes of sciatica is a spinal disc herniation pressing on one of the sciatic nerve roots. The spinal discs are composed of a tough spongiform ring of cartilage (annulus fibrosus) with a more malleable center (nucleus pulposis). The discs separate the vertebrae, thereby allowing room for the nerve roots to properly exit through the spaces between the L4, L5, and sacral vertebrae. The discs cushion the spine from compressive forces, but are weak to pressure applied during rotational movements. That is why a person who bends to one side, at a bad angle to pick something up, may more likely herniate a spinal disc than a person jumping from a ladder and landing on his or her feet.
All to often patient that come to our herniated disc practice in NYC simply bend for a pen and slip their disc.


Herniation of a disc occurs when the liquid center of the disc bulges outwards, tearing the external ring of fibers, extrudes into the spinal canal, and compresses a nerve root against the lamina or pedicle of a vertebra, thus causing sciatica. This extruded liquid from the nucleus pulposus may cause inflammation and swelling of surrounding tissue which may cause further compression of the nerve root in the confined space in the spinal canal. In our Manhattan practice we focus on the herniated disc and utilize non-surgical methods like the DRX 9000 spinal decompression to not only alleviate the symptoms but reduce the disc herniation and prevent any further injury by strengthening the disc and surrounding structures.
If you suffer with a herniated disc this can lead to Sciatica- stop suffering!
If you live in NYC and are interested in ending the Sciatica call us today at (212)645-8151 Dr. Steven Shoshany will evaluate your MRI or nerve tests at no charge to determine if you are a candidate for Spinal decompression.
www.drshoshany.com

Benefits of Chiropractic Care-NYC Chiropractic care

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Regular chiropractic care can help you in many ways:

Restore normal nerve supply
Improve athletic performance
Restore normal joint mobility
Counteracts the effects of gravity
Improves spinal structure
May provide instant pain relief
Natural with no drugs or needles
Often reduces the need for surgery
May get you back to work faster after an injury
Deals with the cause of the problem rather than treating symptoms
Provides more energy
Allows for better sleep
Help improve posture
Slows spinal degeneration
Allows for quicker recovery
Is helpful to all ages
Relieves stress and tension
Improves the quality of life
This are just some of the benefits of Chiropractic care- for Chiropractic care in NYC visit www.drshoshany.com