Laser Therapy and Arthritic Pain

Laser Therapy and Arthritic Pain

Dr Alan Cranton DC 

Cold laser therapy has been used since the 60’s in Russia to help the invalids and suffering deal with and heal arthritic joint pain. It has only been the last 10-15 years that laser therapy has come to this side of the ocean. 

At our office, the laser therapy has been a Godsend to many of our patients with moderate to severe arthritic joint pain in various areas of their bodies. Because I am a chiropractor, I encourage our laser patients to take a holistic approach to their healing, including diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes. I recommend an arthritic diet, supplementation with key anti-inflammatory vitamins as well as using time tested topical creams that reduce pain and inflammation. 

Some prescription medications also cause severe joint and muscle pains. If you are on these drugs, it is important to check with your pharmacist or doctor to see if there is an alternative without as many side effects. The most common group of drugs I’ve had to deal with in the laser department are the so called  ”statin drugs” that lower cholesterol. Muscle cramps, pain and painful joints are very common for some people and need to be addressed.

Back and neck Pain. One of the most common conditions treated by laser therapists and chiropractors together, back and neck pain responds very well to both people working together for the benefit of the patient. I often order X rays to determine the severity of the condition and together with the laser therapist work out a plan of care to help the patient. We see tremendous results with over ninety percent of our patients and there are no side effects.

Knee Pain. Knee pain can be horrible! Having suffered knee pain from a sky diving injury, I can identify with just about anyone who cannot walk because of stiff, painful, weak and swollen knees. We see many middle aged to senior patients who come in for pre and post surgical knee problems. Again, we look at X rays and MRI reports to determine the right course of care for laser therapy, chiropractic and in some cases corrective orthotics to support the feet and ankles.

Shoulder Pain. Rotator cuff, frozen shoulder, arthritic joint pain, chronic soft tissue injuries as well as fibromyalgia that affects the shoulder, all respond to laser therapy. Sometimes we are able to fully restore function back to normal and sometimes only forty to fifty percent. Most of our laser patients would be happy to get rid of half their pain and get off most of their pain drugs with their nasty side effects.

Laser therapy is covered under most extended health care plans under chiropractic benefits.

Dr Alan Cranton DC is a chiropractor with over 33 years’ experience at Thunder Bay Wellness Centre (formerly Cranton Wellness Centre). For more information, go to our website at www.tbaywellness.com and call 343 7932.