Thoughts about Laser Light therapy for SFN and also about this interesting study

[Apollo]

I am planning to visit a local chiropractor who specializes in low-level laser light therapy for SFN. I made this decision after finding this study on the internet which may be viewed here:


http://www.podiatrytoday.com/can-low...ral-neuropathy


What was especially interesting is that they did "before and after" skin biopsies, and were able to apparently prove that the nerve fiber density actually improved (coorsponding with the patient's subjective symptom impressions).

My main area of SFN discomfort is consistantly in my palms (and to a very small amount in my feet). Given the localized areas (and lidocane & Biofreeze don't do anything) this might be useful.

Can anyone with some expertise in this area share their thoughts?

Thanks!

[Jo*mar]

I can say Low level laser therapy (LLLT) very much helped for the pain & discomfort of my RSI/TOS/myofascial pain.

Make sure you are getting actual low level laser and not LED light therapy.
Some places confuse or mis state which they are using.

[mrsD]

I use a strong 5mW laser pointer on my pain areas with moderate success. I don't need it often, but it seems to work when done on the problem nerve areas, daily for a week.

I tried this last year, and still do it. Beats taking cognitive impairing drugs IMO.

Let us know how you do.

[Apollo]

Originally Posted by mrsD

I use a strong 5mW laser pointer on my pain areas with moderate success. I don't need it often, but it seems to work when done on the problem nerve areas, daily for a week.

I tried this last year, and still do it. Beats taking cognitive impairing drugs IMO.

Let us know how you do.

...wow, so this actually does seem to work based on member's experence???

[Jo*mar]

If you can try as you go, with treatment sessions, and not be locked into any extended plan, and it's affordable for you , I'd suggest trying it.

I plan to buy a LLLT whenever the prices come down, the therapeutic ones are running about 1 thou and up.

[glenntaj]

--is that the laser (and even the LED's if monochromatic and strong enough) may be able to affect the nitric oxide pathways and promote microcirculation, which is supportive of nerve function (and a lot of things, besides).

The mechanism is many small fiber neuropathies, such as those associated with diabetes or some anti-nuclear antibody autoimmunities, is thought to be primarily ischemic or circulatory; the primary breakdown is in the small blood vessels, which then do not bring enough nutrients/oxygen or get rid of waste products as efficiently, and this leads to nerve starvation/breakdown. So anything that promotes better inflow/outflow is likely a good thing.

[mrsD]

My laser use developed from the idea while playing with one of my kittens last year (Weezie). My husband bought her a little toy laser and it was about that time that we started talking about light therapy here.

I looked up various papers on the validity of the lasers/or LED which the latter are often palmed off as laser therapy. So I worked on my feet while playing with Weezie. There was some improvement so I bought one of the heavy duty pointers that are now available for $2-5.00. I purchased mine on Ebay with free shipping for $2.89. It is much much stronger/intense than the cat toy one, and works much better. I do it when watching TV.

I know my feet pretty well, an have figured out where to point it.
My son looked at it and said it is the same as the $150 pointers that came out about 10 yrs ago. I even found a site selling the same type I have as a pain reduction tool, and very expensively, I'll add.


Using the one I have-- it has a field projection of about 2-3 mm width..it is a red bar not a dot close up. So it is rather labor intensive, but when watching TV it seems not to matter much.

I did it as an inexpensive experiment. I tend to do that with my PN and arthritis pain. I'd say my pointer is best done if you understand the nerve distribution in the feet/ankles so you know where to point it. The Northcoast Footcare site I put up here often has anatomy, of the foot, so studying that I pointed it where I thought I needed it and it works. It is best for localized pain, and I don't use it for all over "burning". Shooting pain in the ankle, toe or achilles area responds for me nicely.

I am looking at Amazon this morning and see this Low Level laser for acupuncture without needles!
I might spring for this. It wasn't there when I looked several months ago, and is affordable.

http://www.amazon.com/laser-635nm-po...5359160&sr=8-4

This one is even less expensive!
http://www.amazon.com/Level-Laser-63...359160&sr=8-11

These stronger ones would have a higher danger for the eyes however.

[Apollo]

... here is a link to the doctor I will be seeing and the modality that they use.



http://www.alpharetta-johnscreekchir...europathy.html



Does this appear to be want I want to be doing?


Also, if my SFN pain is primarily localized within my palms, where would we want to focus the treatment? Directly on the palms themselves, or also at any particuliar nerve junction point?


Thanks!

[mrsD]

It can't hurt.... the therapy itself is rather side effect free.

It will COST however. But some people can manage that factor.

I would point it at the carpal tunnel ligament in the wrist. That is where the compression may be, and causing the nerves to be squeezed.

This diagram shows the hand palm up:
http://ergonomics.about.com/od/carpa...llustraion.htm

I have used both very strong neodymium magnets and my laser pointer at this point on the wrist side of the tunnel. I have also used them at the base of the thumb. This tunnel is where the hypothyroid tissue deposition occurs, BTW.

One can also try to catch the nerves as they exit the tunnel on the way to the fingers, --it can't hurt to try both spots. But you may find one location more efficient than another.

[mrsD]

I looked at your doctor's website. That device looks like LED red light therapy.

Neuropathy Treatment Center of Atlanta has implemented the HealthLight pulsed infrared light therapy devices in several clinics in our area. HealthLight devices are most commonly used for reducing pain and providing symptomatic reversal of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Laser is different.

We've discussed this before on this forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ighlight=laser