Surgeons have used lasers in surgery for several years. Now, non-surgical lasers, sometimes referred to as “cold” lasers, and the newer non-laser infrared superluminous diodes(which provide less intense stimulation) are being used to relieve pain and enhance healing. Physical therapists and physicians in Europe and Canada have used these types of devices for the last 25 years, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved their use in the United States. The new devices approved by the FDA emit infrared light, which is not visible to the naked eye. They also produce very little or no heat (so it’s not a heat treatment, as infrared was in the past). The benefits of this type of treatment are improved circulation, decreased pain, and faster healing.
The FDA has approved the infrared devices for improving blood circulation to the part of the body being treated, to relieve muscle and joint aches, and to decrease muscle spasms. One of the more popular uses is for the relief of wrist and hand pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, allowing some people to avoid surgery. In addition, some of the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis can be relieved. Physical therapists and physicians are beginning to see results with many types of joint, muscle and tendon injuries. Professional sports teams are using them to help speed healing of their injured athletes.
Some of the more innovative uses of infrared stimulation is occurring in the treatment of slow-healing wounds such as diabetic ulcers and diabetic neuropathy, which causes numbness and pain, particularly in the feet. The impaired sensation of diabetic neuropathy is the leading cause of diabetic ulcers, which can sometimes lead to amputation. Improving blood circulation in the feet of people with diabetes could help restore sensation. Several recent studies have demonstrated that diabetic patients treated with infrared superluminous diodes experienced improved sensation in their feet, reducing their chances of foot ulcers, and reducing their chances of falling.
These newly available infrared devices offer alternatives to traditional treatments for many painful conditions. They can be used when other treatments have been insufficient or if the patient wants to avoid certain drugs or surgery. They can also be combined with other treatments, depending upon the specific condition and the goals of treatment.
