COLD LASER

FREMONT CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC

Dr. Ty N. Tracy

DECOMPRESSION THERAPY /COLD LASER

Non Surgical Spinal Decompression

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is a revolutionary new technology used primarily to treat disc injuries in the neck and in the low back. This treatment option is very safe and utilizes FDA cleared equipment to apply distraction forces to spinal structures in a precise and graduated manner. Distraction is offset by cycles of partial relaxation. This technique of spinal decompression therapy, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning, has shown the ability to gently separate the vertebrae from each other, creating a vacuum inside the discs that we are targeting. This "vacuum effect" is also known as negative intra-discal pressure.

The negative pressure may induce the retraction of the herniated or bulging disc into the inside of the disc, and off the nerve root, thecal sac, or both. It happens only microscopically each time, but cumulatively, over four to six weeks, the results are quite dramatic.

The cycles of decompression and partial relaxation, over a series of visits, promote the diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids from the outside of the discs to the inside. These nutrients enable the torn and degenerated disc fibers to begin to heal.

For the low back, the patient lies comfortably on his/her back or stomach on the decompression table, with a set of nicely padded straps snug around the waist and another set around the lower chest. For the neck, the patient lies comfortably on his/her back with a pair of soft rubber pads behind the neck. Many patients enjoy the treatment, as it is usually quite comfortable and well tolerated.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is very effective at treating bulging discs, herniated discs, pinched nerves, sciatica, radiating arm pain, degenerative disc disease, leg pain, and facet syndromes. Proper patient screening is imperative and only the best candidates are accepted for care.

In a rapidly developing technological workplace, the human body has a hard time keeping pace with the demands of modern machines and repetitive motions. The cumulative daily effect of fast, forceful and seemingly harmless movements of one's shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands while operating computers, cutting meat, assembling automobiles, or handling packages, adversely affects workers and industries worldwide.

As demands for productivity increase, so do physical demands on the individual. These demands lead to stressed muscles and tendons pushed far beyond their limits, resulting in disorders commonly known as Repetitive Stress Injury or "RSI." A very common RSI problem is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or "CTS." CTS has a major financial impact on industry worldwide, resulting in millions of lost dollars each year.

Microlight, a leader in non-toxic laser therapy, is working toward an effective solution to RSI, employing the process of photobiostimulation. The ML 830^TM was designed by a team of doctors and leading medical engineers to harness the therapeutic application of advanced low-energy laser technology.

Virtually all light has some penetration properties. However, when applied to the human body, the outer skin layers absorb some light. Traditional thermal (hot) laser light can penetrate skin, but often destroys tissue. Because damaged cells benefit from light, researchers looked for a way to develop a non-thermal and non-destructive method for delivering light to deep tissue.

The ML 830^TM is a non-thermal laser capable of penetrating deep into tissue. Once delivered, light energy promotes the process of photobiostimulation. The positive effect of photobiostimulation on animal cells is analogous to photosynthesis in plant cells, where a chain of chemical reactions is set in motion. In human tissue, the resulting photochemical reaction produces an increase in the cellular metabolism rate, which expedites cell repair and stimulation of the immune, lymphatic and vascular systems. The net result, observed in clinical trials to date, is an apparent reduction in pain, inflammation, edema and an overall reduction in healing time.

In cooperation with General Motors and several other clinical investigators throughout the United States, it was proved that the ML 830^TM is effective in the low-level laser therapeutic treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Future clinical trials will determine the efficacy of ML 830^TM low-energy laser therapy in other repetitive-stress disorders, pain management, soft tissue trauma, and dental applications.