Have you noticed pain or stiffness in your joints? Is it getting harder to engage in normal activities throughout the day, such as walking, bending or sitting? Are you constantly rotating between ice and heat to take down the swelling and reduce the discomfort?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then you may be suffering from arthritis. Perhaps the most common degenerative disease in older adults, arthritis is a result of the wear-and-tear on the cartilage in your joints. While this disease can cause significant, long-term discomfort, there are other ways of managing the pain besides medication and other invasive methods.
Laser therapy is a form of treatment that targets the affected joints and muscles with focused light. The goal is to safely relieve the pain associated with arthritis by stimulating the cells in the area. Before making any decisions about your treatment plan, read on to learn more about arthritis and why laser therapy may be an effective option for you.
What is Arthritis?
As mentioned earlier, arthritis is a degenerative disease that attacks the cartilage in your joints. As the cartilage breaks down, the bones in your joints rub against each other, causing pain and swelling.
For many, arthritis is a localized disease that affects a particular joint, such as the knee or elbow. However, others may have widespread arthritis and suffer discomfort in multiple joints throughout the body.
What Are the Common Causes of Arthritis?
The most common cause of arthritis is the overuse of certain joints (also referred to as osteoarthritis). Unfortunately, this is why many adults suffer from at least a mild form of this disease, as the constant use of your joints eventually wears down the cartilage protecting them.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another common type of arthritis caused by your immune system attacking the lining of the joint capsule, which results in pain and inflammation. Over time, this type of arthritis can also lead to a deterioration of the cartilage in the affected joint.
Other causes of arthritis include a genetic predisposition to the disease, advanced age, and obesity. If you have suffered an injury to a specific joint, there is also a high likelihood that you will develop arthritis in that joint later in life.
How Laser Therapy Works
Laser therapy is a form of treatment that has demonstrated success in relieving the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Essentially, a low-level laser is focused on the area of discomfort for a maximum of 2 minutes. The focused light stimulates the cells in the area and promotes healing and inflammation reduction, thereby alleviating pain.
For maximum effect, it’s recommended to gradually increase the number of sessions until the pain subsides for longer periods. Additionally, laser treatment can be used on an as-needed basis, or even as a preventative measure to avoid outbreaks.
Schedule Your First Appointment Today
Have you been convinced of the benefits of laser therapy as an effective treatment for your arthritis? If so, it’s time to find a location with trained professionals who are experienced in this treatment.
Active Back to Health is staffed with certified laser technologists ready to meet with you and provide an initial assessment of your pain. After talking through the treatment plan, you will work with your laser technologist to develop a schedule that works for you. Again, regular appointments are the most effective when treating a chronic condition such as arthritis.
If you’re ready to book your first appointment, call us at 403-252-3316 or fill out our
contact form today!
Massage Therapy
Physiotherapy
Laser Therapy
Living Healthy Lifestyle
