If someone asked you to reveal the secret to improved health, what would you say? Stop smoking? Cut down on alcohol? Don’t eat too much sugar? Give up junk food and eat better? Take vitamin and mineral supplements? Drink fruit and vegetable juices? Exercise more? Reduce stress? Get more sleep?
Yes, all of these are good answers and important actions to take to improve your overall health. But there is another very important answer that most people would not think of that is quite fundamental to health and wellness — and that is “increasing circulation.” Circulation is Key Maintaining good circulation throughout the body is a crucial key to good health. Good circulation means that oxygenated blood, nutrients, and hormones are flowing to support your nerves, tissues, and organs, allowing them to function properly. And waste products are being adequately removed. Diabetics, especially, need to be aware of maintaining good circulation, especially in their feet, or they may experience a host of related medical issues. So what can you do to help increase and maintain proper circulation in all the various areas of your body? Red/Infrared Light Therapy Increases Circulation A painless, easy, and highly effective way to increase circulation for better health is through the use of Red/Infrared Light Therapy. Red/Infrared Light Therapy (also known as “photobiomodulation” or “PBM”) is “the use of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation.”[1] Red/Infrared Light has a wide range of beneficial effects on the body, and can even advance the repair and regeneration of nerves and tissues. Higher quality, professional-level Red/Infrared Light Therapy systems have been granted FDA clearance for increasing circulation, and also for relieving pain, relaxing muscles, relieving muscle spasms, and relieving the aches and stiffness caused by arthritis. Red/Infrared Light Therapy systems are considered to be Class II medical devices. Being Used Worldwide Chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, podiatrists, and other health practitioners around the world are now using Red/Infrared Light Therapy as a highly effective and dependable treatment method that increases circulation wherever needed in the body. In addition, Red/Infrared Light Therapy also provides quick pain relief, and triggers the biochemical stimulation that supports and accelerates healing. And because Red/Infrared Light Therapy is so easy to self-administer, many practitioners encourage patients to purchase their own therapy systems for in-home use to augment their in-office treatments. How Red/Infrared Light Therapy Works When a Red/Infrared Light Therapy Pad is placed on the body, photons of light are released which induce cascades of beneficial biochemical processes within the cells. “Radiation of tissue with light causes an increase in mitochondrial products such as ATP, NADH, protein, and RNA…”[2] Nitric oxide is also released which increases circulation, so that blood teeming with oxygen and nutrients can now flow more freely into nerves, muscles, joints, and other tissues within that local area. In turn, this accelerates the body’s natural healing processes, leading to better health and wellness. “This vasodilation increases the availability of oxygen to treated cells, and also allows for greater traffic of immune cells into tissue. These two effects contribute to accelerated healing.”[3] This boost of healing stimulated by Red/Infrared Light Therapy continues for several hours after the therapy session concludes. Red/Infrared Light Therapy Benefits the Entire Body Red/Infrared Light therapy can benefit virtually every external part of the physical body, as well as the heart, liver, and other internal organs. Red/Infrared Light Therapy can even uplift the emotions. Just place the light therapy pad over any area of the body where increased circulation is needed. And increasing circulation leads to the added benefit of also relieving pain wherever the light therapy pad is placed. A typical therapy session lasts for twenty minutes, and can be administered as needed to improve and then maintain good circulation in any area of the body. Red/Infrared Light Therapy is Safe Unlike taking too many supplements or engaging in extreme or too much exercise for one’s condition, Red/Infrared Light Therapy poses no potential harm or risk. In the case of chronic conditions, Red/Infrared Light Therapy can be used daily, and even more than once per day. Red/Infrared Light Therapy/PBM “has an almost complete lack of reported adverse effects…The remarkable range of medical benefits provided by PBM, has led some to suggest that it may be ‘too good to be true’.”[4] But thousands of peer-reviewed scientific studies found on pubmed.gov prove Red/Infrared Light Therapy’s remarkable benefits! In Conclusion – Red/Infrared Light Therapy for Improved Health As the list of negative side effects for most pharmaceuticals today is far longer than the list of benefits, it has become increasingly important to take active steps to avoid the potential risks of prescription drugs (and surgery) by using alternative approaches to improving and maintaining health and wellness. If you are looking to repair or enhance your health (and/or relieve pain) Red/Infrared Light Therapy can help you to effectively increase circulation and stimulate and accelerate your body’s own innate healing ability. One Light Therapy system can bring you, your family, and/or your patients a lifetime of improved health! [1] Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337-361. doi:10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337, p.1. [2] Chung, Hoon, et al. The Nuts and Bolts of Low-level Laser (Light) Therapy. Ann Biomed Eng. 2012 February; 40(2): 516–533. doi:10.1007/s10439-011-0454-7, p. 5 of NIH Public Access version. [3] Ibid., p. 6. [4] Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337-361. doi:10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337, p.14.
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It is not surprising that, “Pain is the most common reason for physician consultation in the United States.”[1] But it is surprising that medical doctors throughout the nation have been routinely prescribing opiate medications for almost every condition involving pain. “More than 191 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed to American patients in 2017…”[2] But due to the risks posed by opioids, should you (or your patients, if you are a health practitioner) use them to alleviate pain, or choose a more natural approach to pain relief and management? Opioids’ Dangerous Side Effects The “Opioid Epidemic” in the United States that first began in the 1990s brought awareness of the dangers that these drugs pose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, as well as others, state that the common side effects of opioids, even when taken as directed, are: nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth; sexual issues; dizziness; sleepiness and changes in sleep patterns; mood swings and personality changes; constipation; confusion; depression; itching and sweating; increased sensitivity to pain; slowed breathing; physical dependence (which can bring the discomforts of withdrawal); and tolerance (which can bring the possibility of an unintentional overdose that may cause death). According to the CDC, “Opioids were involved in 49,860 overdose deaths in 2019 (70.6% of all drug overdose deaths).”[3] This equates to approximately 136 deaths per day. The Mayo Clinic’s website reveals that, “Studies suggest that up to one-third of people who take opioids for chronic pain misuse them, and more than 10 percent become addicted over time.”[4] So are opioids really worth this amount of risk? New Opioid Guidelines A new study states that opioids should not be used to treat chronic non-cancer pain. According to Pat Anson of Pain News Network, a new position paper by the European Pain Federation (EFIC) put out in 2021 “released new guidelines that strongly recommend against using opioids to treat fibromyalgia, low back pain, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome and other types of chronic non-cancer pain. The new recommendations advise that opioids should not be prescribed for people with chronic primary pain as they do not work for these patients. However, the guideline states that low doses of opiods may be suitable for treating ‘secondary pain syndromes’ caused by surgery, trauma, disease or nerve damage…”[5] Natural Alternative Opioids for pain relief may offer more harm than help. And opioids never actually heal the source of the pain — putting the patient on an endless treadmill of prescriptions. But what if there was a way to get the human body to release its own natural chemicals for pain relief with no negative side effects? And what if these naturally released chemicals not only provided quick and effective pain relief, but also accelerated the body’s own innate healing processes? Red Light Therapy is the answer both of these life changing questions! The Better Choice - Red Light Therapy! Red Light Therapy is a non-addictive, non-risky means of achieving pain relief and accelerating healing. Red Light Therapy is non-invasive; painless; fast-acting; dependable; extremely easy to administer; and, best of all, has no known harmful side effects. Red Light Therapy is also known as “photobiomodulation” (PBM) and “Low level Light Therapy” (LLLT).” Contrary to opioids, Red Light Therapy can be administered without worries because, “PBM has an almost complete lack of reported adverse effects...”[6] A 2015 study concluded that, “LLLT is beneficial for pain relief and can accelerate the body’s ability to heal itself.”[7] And unlike opioids, Red Light Therapy provides effective pain relief plus stimulates the body’s own healing processes. Thousands of peer-reviewed scientific studies have proven that Red Light Therapy is a very effective and dependable healing modality. A 2017 study affirmed that “…Low doses of light have demonstrated the ability to heal skin, nerves, tendons, cartilage and bones.”[8] In Conclusion – Red Light = No Risks! Say “no” to opiates. If you suffer from acute or chronic pain, consider purchasing a Red Light Therapy system for your home use that can bring you and your family effective and dependable pain relief and accelerate your body’s own healing processes without the threat of any harmful side effects. And if you are a medical doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, acupuncturist or massage therapist, consider adding Red Light Therapy to your treatment menu. Purchasing even a small Red Light Therapy system for your clinic can provide a big boost to your practice in at least three significant ways: (1) expand your treatment menu and, as a result, your potential earnings; (2) make a significant positive impact on the well being and quality of life of your patients — and their resulting satisfaction with your practice, and (3) make your clinic stand out above the competition. There are no downsides or risks to Red Light Therapy for both patients and practitioners! [1] Cotler, Howard B. et al. The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain. MOJ Orthop Rheumatol. 2015 ; 2(5): . doi:10.15406/mojor.2015.02.00068, p. 1. [This study analyzes data from over 85 studies on LLLT.] [2] https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/opioids/prescribed.Opioid Overdose: When the Prescription Becomes a Problem. Accessed 25 March 2021. [3] https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/statedeaths.Drug Overdose Deaths Remain High. Accessed 25 March 2021. [4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/how-to-tell-if-a-loved-one-is-abusing-opioids/art-20386038.How To Tell If a Loved One is Abusing Opioids. Accessed 25 March 2021. [5] Anson, Pat. “New European Guideline Says Opioids ‘Do Not Work’ for Many Types of Chronic Pain.” Pain News Network website, 4 March 2021. Accessed 25 March 2021. [6] Hamblin, Michael R. “Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation.” AIMS biophysics vol. 4,3 (2017): 337-361. doi:10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337, p. 14. [7] Ibid., p. 7. [8] Ibid., p. 4. Want To Learn More? Email us or complete the contact us form While prescription opioid use and consumption continues to fall in the United States, the number of U.S. drug overdose deaths are reaching record levels. This is due to illicit fentanyl and other drugs, not from pain medication. To read more about what IQVIA researchers learned about opioid use, click the full article here. While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some additional temporary decline in use, levels have returned to normal since the economy reopened. Overall, the management of opioid medication is progressing well. Overdoses Continue to Rise The drug overdose epidemic is worsening and is at the highest rate ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily life and has hit those with substance use disorders hard. Another report warns thousands of Medicaid patients are being prescribed too many opioids. Prescribers with unusual prescription patterns are also being monitored to address the crisis. To read the full article, click here. A Possible Solution or Alternative It is possible that the addition of light therapy could also help patients with chronic pain. NIR therapy has no known side effects, is non-invasive, and easy to administer. Light therapy can help relieve musculoskeletal pain of any cause. It works by increasing ATP synthesis in cells and triggering other biochemical and biophysical reactions in living tissue which promote healing. The light also triggers the release of nitric oxide in the body which increases blood flow, relieving pain in that way. Want To Learn More? Email us or complete the contact us form Need to perk up your practice? Or make your clinic stand out from the ever-increasing competition? Red Light/Infrared Therapy is a great partner to chiropractic! Here is why this unique healing modality has gained favor with the chiropractic community, and how it can benefit your clinic.
Red Light/Infrared Therapy and Chiropractic In their quest for better patient outcomes, chiropractors, perhaps more than other healthcare professionals, have always been open to investigating and embracing promising new healing modalities. They have found that, like chiropractic, Red Light/Infrared Therapy stimulates, accelerates, and supports the body’s own innate healing ability while being non-invasive, drug-free, and highly effective. Red Light/Infrared Therapy is also painless, simple, fast-acting, and safe. It is very easy to administer, allowing patients to be left unattended during treatment. And last but not least, an impressive list of musculoskeletal issues are amenable to Red Light/Infrared Therapy, from sprains and strains to chronic back, knee, hip, shoulder, neck, ankle, wrist, and hand issues. Scientific studies have found that Red Light/Infrared Therapy has a positive effect on both acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, and “is beneficial for many individuals suffering from musculoskeletal pain, regardless of the cause.”[1] Safe and Risk-Free Red Light/Infrared Therapy, like chiropractic, is an effective alternative to the unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects of pharmaceutical drugs and/or the pain and risks of surgery with its required recovery time — not to mention the sky-rocketing costs of these typical medical treatments. However, Red Light/Infrared Therapy is unique in that it is risk free and can be administered without any concern about negative side effects. Red Light Therapy has been proven to have “…an almost complete lack of reported adverse effects...”[2] Class II Medical Devices with FDA Clearance Red Light/Infrared Therapy can add value to any clinic, allowing chiropractors to expand their scope of treatment for better patient outcomes. Red/Infrared Light Therapy systems are considered to be Class II Medical Devices, and have been granted FDA clearance for increasing circulation, relieving pain, relaxing muscles, relieving muscle spasms, and relieving the aches and stiffness caused by arthritis. How Red Light/Infrared Therapy Works Red Light/Infrared Therapy can potentially enhance the benefits of chiropractic by providing faster pain relief and support for cellular healing. Whenever a Red/Infrared Light Therapy Pad is placed on the body, photons of light are released which induce cascades of beneficial biochemical processes within the cells. “Radiation of tissue with light causes an increase in mitochondrial products such as ATP, NADH, protein, and RNA…”[3] Nitric oxide is also released which increases circulation, so that blood teeming with oxygen and nutrients can now flow more freely into nerves, muscles, joints, and other tissues within that local area. In turn, this accelerates the body’s natural healing processes, leading to better health and wellness. “This vasodilation increases the availability of oxygen to treated cells, and also allows for greater traffic of immune cells into tissue. These two effects contribute to accelerated healing.”[4] How to Administer Red Light/Infrared Therapy Red Light/Infrared Therapy is simple and easy to administer. Therapy pads are situated on the body wherever pain relief and increased circulation are needed, the system is turned on, and the pads proceed to do their work during the typical twenty-minute therapy session. Red Light/Infrared Therapy can be administered in three ways:
Deciding on Your System Before purchasing a professional level Red Light/Infrared Therapy system, please keep these questions in mind:
Benefits to Your Clinic In addition to helping patients by enhancing the benefits of your chiropractic treatments, Red Light/Infrared Therapy can benefit your practice by:
The Bottom Line Red Light/Infrared Therapy has proven itself to be a great adjunct to chiropractic. It can be depended upon to not only bring quick and effective pain relief to your patients, but to also trigger the biochemical stimulation that supports and accelerates healing. Two or three Red Light/Infrared Therapy pads and a three or six-port controller will make a big difference in your clinic. For more information on Red Light/Infrared Therapy systems, contact Rob at Energia Medical at 860-707-4220. [1] Cotler, Howard B. et al. The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain. MOJ Orthop Rheumatol.2015 ; 2(5): . doi:10.15406/mojor.2015.02.00068, p. 6. [2] Hamblin, Michael R. “Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation.” AIMS biophysics vol. 4,3 (2017): 337-361. doi:10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337, p. 14. [3] Chung, Hoon, et al. The Nuts and Bolts of Low-level Laser (Light) Therapy. Ann Biomed Eng. 2012 February; 40(2): 516–533. doi:10.1007/s10439-011-0454-7, p. 5 of NIH Public Access version. [4] Ibid., p. 6. An impressive large list of health conditions have proven to respond positively to NIR Therapy. Adding NIR Therapy as a treatment option makes sense because it provides a non-invasive, simple, painless treatment modality that triggers the body’s innate ability to heal. It can improve the quality of life for those suffering from different minor or major health problems.
Frequent Treatment Is Key For minor and acute conditions, a few sessions or a few weeks of treatment may be all that is needed to achieve results. However, for chronic conditions, daily/frequent treatments over several weeks seems to provide the most optimal results. For patients with mobility issues, transportation demands, and work, it may be too difficult to come into the office as often as is needed. The solution to this is providing in-home programs on the patient’s own schedule. Steps to a Successful In-Home Program
Happy Patients, Happy Practice Following these steps can help give the patient the best chance of following the plan, achieving results, and having satisfaction. This will lead to a walking testimonial for your care and clinic! For the full article, click HERE. Read part 2 HERE. Want To Learn More? Email us or complete the contact us form. Pain is the number one reason for seeking medical consultation in the United States. Around 50 million American adults experience chronic pain, comprising around one fifth of the population. Consequently, chronic pain is having a negative financial and social effect on the United States because it is responsible for restricted mobility and lower quality of life. For more details on chronic pain in the U.S., click HERE.
Chronic Pain Treatment Options The standard procedures for treating chronic musculoskeletal pain includes NSAIDS, steroid injections, opiate pain medications, and surgery, which each carry a slew of risks and side effects. However, there is a more natural and non-invasive approach: NIR Therapy. Combining NIR Therapy with other healing modalities, or on its own, can achieve more complete results for patients with chronic pain. To read about the stories of two doctors who integrated NIR Therapy into their clinics with excellent results, click HERE. Strong Scientific Evidence Over 40 years of research has shown that LLLT and LED therapy reduce inflammation and edema, facilitate pain relief, and promote healing of musculoskeletal ailments. Medical-grade NIR therapy devices have received FDA-clearances for increasing local circulation and relieving pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms. NIR therapy leads to biochemical changes on the cellular level that support the body’s innate healing abilities. The Takeaway If you had to choose only one alternative healing modality to introduce into your practice that would bring the fastest, most effective and most cost-effective results to your chronic pain patients, NIR therapy might be your best choice. To read the full article, click HERE. Want To Learn More? Email us or complete the contact us form Part 1 of this article HERE introduced light therapy for chronic pain. If you decide to put your chronic condition patients on an in-home near-infrared (NIR) / red light therapy program the following 10 steps are absolutely essential for success: Read part 2 HERE.
1.Sell NIR Therapy Systems- Provide a variety of pads in different shapes and sizes so that each patient can find what they need. If possible, offer a payment plan to increase the affordability of the product. Systems can be bought wholesale and resold at a profit. 2.Explain the Value of NIR Therapy- Explain to patients the short and long term benefits of the product, including increased circulation, pain relief, and possible regeneration of nerves and tissues. This will motivate the patient. 3.Schedule Regular Office Visits- Explain to the patient that active treatment in the clinic will augment the benefits of their program at home. 4.Assign Monthly Self-Assessments- Have the patient complete thorough self-assessments so that they can track their improvements over time and see the progress. 5.Set a Realistic Time Frame- The longer a patient has had their condition usually means it will take longer to see results. Setting realistic timeframes can help prevent patients from getting discouraged. 6.Make Therapy Sessions Easy- Have the patient store their pad in an easy to-get-to location so they can use it easily during leisure or while working at home. 7.Give Diet and Nutrition Advice- Provide handouts on which foods to eat and avoid depending on a patient’s health condition. 8.Make Supplements Part of Your Treatment Protocol- Recommend vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements as part of your in-home treatment program that is tailored to the patient. These can also be sold in-clinic. 9.Advocate Exercise- Promote regular exercise with handouts and diagrams with instructions. 10.Show Interest and Always Give Encouragement- Check up on how the patient’s in-home therapy is coming along and provide emotional support. Want To Learn More? Email us or complete the contact us form Research has determined that laser therapy can effectively treat all causes of musculoskeletal pain. NIR/LLLT can produce benefits that are short, medium, and long term, making it very effective. This includes pain relief, a decrease in inflammation, and tissue healing.
NIR Therapy for Acute and Chronic Conditions An extensive list of chronic and acute conditions respond well to NIR therapy, allowing your practice to extend into niche market areas. For a list of some of the conditions that can be treated by NIR therapy, click the full article HERE. The use of several pads can also allow multiple pain issues to be treated simultaneously. With the ability to reduce pain and discomfort in so many conditions, NIR therapy should be considered an essential part of any chronic pain program. Keys to Success Tailor your program to the individual patient. Creating a corresponding in-home program may also be necessary for some patients to advance their healing progress in between office visits. Making systems easily available for purchase is also an extra source of revenue for your clinic, as units are purchased at wholesale and sold to patients at a profit. Lastly, create a streamlined option for lower- or fixed-income patients. To read in further detail, click on the full article HERE. You can also start small, purchasing only a few pads and a controller that will make a big difference in your clinic. The Takeaway The addition of NIR therapy to your treatment menu may allow you to greatly extend the list of conditions you treat, attract a greater range of patients, and provide more accelerated, enhanced, and effective pain relief. Want To Learn More? Email us or complete the contact us form Are you a practitioner thinking about purchasing a Red Light Therapy system to provide additional benefit to your patients and expand your treatment menu? And are you confused about all the many light therapy devices that keep popping up in the marketplace? Here are some points to keep in mind and questions to ask to help you make a smart purchase:
Before Purchasing Many Red Light Therapy systems are comprised of therapy pads and the controllers that operate these pads. Before you begin looking at devices, sit down and analyze your patients’ most common issues. This will help you decide how many pads you will need for therapy sessions, and the most useful sizes and shapes for these pads. The number of pads you want to utilize will determine the number of ports needed on your system’s controller. Crucial Questions:
The Controller is Central
Pads are Paramount
Asking these questions and knowing what to look for should lead you to purchase a well built medical-grade Red Light Therapy system that will bring many benefits to your patients and to your practice. Want To Learn More? Email us or complete the contact us form The benefits of introducing NIR (near-infrared/red light) Therapy can help make your clinic stand out, just as it did for Dr. Collins of Hilton Head Chiropractic in Hardeeville, South Carolina. Many of his patients reported tremendous results after just one treatment. The light pads helped treat neuropathy, tennis elbow, shoulder injuries, knee swelling, and so much more in these patients. Read more about this story by clicking the link to the article HERE.
Pain Relief For Patients Introducing NIR Therapy to a clinic can contribute to a significant amount of pain relief in patients which can change their lives, as well as develop a positive buzz in the community about the clinic. With clinical results from decades of research to back the cases of individual patient success, NIR Therapy has become more and more prevalent as a treatment option. Treatments Beyond Pain Relief NIR Therapy has proven to be beneficial for musculoskeletal issues, reducing inflammation, reducing edema, and aiding in healing. This drug-free, noninvasive treatment option can help with general pain management as well. The light pads can be used pre-adjustment, post-adjustment, as stand-alone treatment, and in chronic pain programs. Easy To Use NIR Therapy is very easy to integrate and administer, can help expand treatment categories, and may allow your practice to enter niche markets and attract new patients. Units can also be rented or sold from the clinic to a patient as well. For more details on in-clinic usage and programs of NIR Therapy, click HERE. Want To Learn More? Email us or complete the contact us form |
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July 2021
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