Can Laser Therapy Help Neuropathy?
In this blog we will address the question “can laser therapy help neuropathy?”, we will also define the term ‘neuropathy’, and drive into what laser therapy is, and how it might help you and your current condition. You may have heard of laser therapy for hair removal, but it is also used by chiropractors and physiotherapists for a range of conditions, such as chronic low-back and neck pain, to sports injuries, joint sprains and muscle strains.
Laser therapy has gained popularity in recent years, and researchers have studied its possible use for neuropathic conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy and sciatica.
If you enjoy this blog, and would like to know about about laser therapy, click here to read more about laser therapy or here to read about laser therapy for specifically knee pain.
What Is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a term used to describe a condition in which one or more nerves are damaged or not working properly. ‘Neuro’ meaning nerve, neuron or neurological and ‘-pathy’ meaning ‘disease’ or ‘suffering’. Neuropathies include but or not limited to, carpal tunnel sydrome, sciatica or sciatica nerve pain, trapped or pinched nerves, diabetic neuropathy, brachial plexus injuries, drop-foot, or post-operative neuropathy.
The severity varies depending on the degree of nerve damage or compression. A full rupture or tear of a nerve results in complete paralysis of the effected area. However, partial compression, may result in pain or numbess, in the case of a herniated disc compressing a spinal nerve in the neck or low-back causing nerve pain and weakness in the arm or leg.
Symptoms Of Neuropathy
- Sharp shooting pain.
- A dull ache.
- Alternations in sensation.
- Numbness and tingling.
- Muscle weakness or paralysis.
Can Laser Therapy Help Neuropathy?
The evidence for laser therapy in neuropathy is limited. Some small studies have looked at symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling, but results vary.
Seek urgent medical care (GP, A&E, or call 112/999) if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or buttocks, progressive leg or arm weakness, or pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, chest pain or breathlessness.
How Does Laser Therapy Work To Help Neuropathy?
The principle behind how laser therapy works is quite simple. The term researchers use to describe the principle effect of laser therapy is ‘photobiomodulation‘, ‘photo’ meaning ‘light’, ‘bio’ meaning natural or biological, and ‘modulation’ meaning change or adaptation. The idea is that light energy causes a biological change in the treated tissue.
Laboratory studies suggest light can affect how cells produce energy (ATP), but how much this matters for patients is not well established.
Is Laser Therapy Safe?
This a important question is discuss, as with anything there are potential hazards to be aware. Laser therapy is generally well tolerated when delivered by a trained professional. Lasers can be harmful to the eyes and to a lesser extent, the skin, if misused laser therapy can burn the skin and cause permanent damage to the eyes. Therefore, it is important to wear protective eye wear and seek out a trained professional, a chiropractic, physiotherapist or laser therapy technician.
Is Laser Therapy Painful?
Most people find laser therapy comfortable and feel a mild warmth. Tell us if it feels too warm and we’ll adjust.
How Many Laser Therapy Sessions Will I need?
The number and length of laser therapy sessions depends on the area being treated, the degree of damage, the laser device and how you respond. Your plan is set after assessment.
A study published in 2020 stated that the exact dosage of therapeutic laser therapy is still uncertain.
In conclusion, the dosage of laser therapy is complex and very broad. The right dose is not yet clear.
Conclusion
The evidence for laser therapy in neuropathy is limited, results vary, and it isn’t suitable for everyone. See your GP about any new nerve symptoms. If you have any other questions, contact us at [email protected], mention you came from this article, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Thank you!
References
[1] https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-019-1237-5