Managing Arthritis: New Hope Beyond Traditional Treatments

For nearly 54 million Americans, arthritis isn't just a diagnosis—it’s a daily barrier. According to the CDC, roughly 23% of U.S. adults live with severe joint pain that limits their daily activities. Whether it’s caused by the natural "wear and tear" of an active life or an underlying medical condition, managing arthritis effectively is the key to maintaining your quality of life.

Understanding the "Blanket" Term

"Arthritis" is actually a broad term covering over 200 different conditions that affect joint health. It doesn't discriminate; while common in older adults, it can affect people of any age or gender. Because the onset is often gradual, symptoms can be easy to dismiss until they become debilitating.

Common warning signs include:

• Persistent joint pain or tenderness

• Visible inflammation or swelling

• A noticeable decrease in range of motion

• Redness or warmth in the skin surrounding a joint

Moving Beyond Conventional Medicine

Historically, arthritis treatment has focused on symptom suppression rather than long-term joint health. Standard protocols often include:

• Oral Medications: Analgesics (like acetaminophen) or NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) to dull pain.

• Topical Treatments: Creams designed to temporarily block pain signals.

• Invasive Options: Cortisones injections or surgical joint replacements when conservative methods fail.

While these tools have their place, many patients seek alternatives that don't rely on long-term medication use or invasive surgery.

A Modern Alternative: Laser Therapy

If you are looking for a non-invasive way to manage pain, Laser Therapy is emerging as a leading option. Unlike exercise or weight loss—which focus on reducing the load on your joints—laser therapy works at the cellular level.

How it works: Laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light energy to penetrate deep into the tissue. This process, known as photobiomodulation, stimulates the body’s natural repair mechanisms.

The benefits for arthritis sufferers:

• Reduces Inflammation: It helps "flush" the joint of inflammatory markers that cause stiffness.

• Pain Relief: It interrupts pain signaling without the need for systemic drugs.

• Improved Mobility: By reducing swelling and pain, patients often see a significant increase in their range of motion.

• Zero Downtime: The treatment is completely painless, non-invasive, and has no known negative side effects.

Tips for Managing Arthritis with Laser Therapy

To get the most out of your laser treatments, consider these management tips:

1. Consistency is Key: Laser therapy is cumulative. Most patients see the best results with a series of treatments scheduled close together initially.

2. Combine with Movement: Use the "pain-free window" after a laser session to engage in light stretching or hydrotherapy to keep joints lubricated.

3. Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration supports the cellular recovery process triggered by the laser.

At Tripod Laser, we believe you shouldn't have to settle for "living with the pain." There are modern, safe ways to reclaim your mobility.

Ready to take the next step toward a pain-free life? Call our office at 248-360-3888 to schedule a consultation and find out if laser therapy is right for you. Let’s help you #livepainfree.

Laser Therapy Guide

The world of laser therapy can be a confusing place. Terms like class IV, cold laser therapy (CLT), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and even photobiomodulation (PBM) are all over the internet and can make digesting information about therapeutic laser treatment hard. In this blog post we’ll be attempting to answer some common questions, point out important information to look for, and hopefully provide you with enough basic laser knowledge to ensure you get the most out of your laser therapy experience as possible.

Are there different types of Laser Therapy?

We’re often asked what CLT, LLLT, and PBM mean, so we’ll begin with defining those terms. Class IV describes the classification of lasers that are used in laser therapy. These lasers are typically higher powered and allow for better tissue penetration than class I-III lasers, which are found in your home, office, or manufacturing.

When laser therapy first became available for human use many terms were coined to describe the therapy process. These terms included cold laser therapy and low-level laser therapy. As with most devices, once laser therapy became available to the public, a rash of late-night devices hit infomercials everywhere claiming to fall under these categories. This influx of inferior machines spurred the need in the laser world for clear barriers in what laser therapy is and can do. Photobiomodulation is now considered the appropriate term for the use of laser therapy on tissue.

What is Laser Therapy and what does it do?

 Laser therapy is the non-invasive, non-thermal application of light energy to stimulate cells. Once stimulated by the near-infrared light, cells in the affected area generate more energy and undergo self-repair. There are no known negative side effects from the use of PBM on cells.

When looking into laser therapy remember that not all laser devices are created equal. It’s important to use a PBM provider that utilizes a class IV laser that works somewhere between 808-908nm wavelengths. These ranges are great for not only tissue regeneration, but also in managing inflammation, and pain relief.

Can I be treated if I don’t have a diagnosis?

Laser therapy should always be performed by knowledgeable staff and under the direct supervision of a physician. Currently, some establishments do not require a diagnosis before treatment begins. Doing so is a bit like shooting at a target blindfolded. Treatment protocols for conditions vary widely in time, intensity, and technique. Having a diagnosis before treatment is essential in evaluating the efficacy of a treatment protocol for the patient, and in understanding how to manage that treatment for the best possible results.

What kind of training is required to perform laser therapy?

Right now several states including Michigan do not require certification for laser therapy technicians. So how do you ensure you’re receiving the best treatment and care possible? Ask about requirements for your state and the technician’s experience, and if the same technician will be performing each treatment. Typical training for laser therapy includes topics such as laser history and theory, application of techniques, and courses on common conditions treated as well as basic healing, bandaging, and wound care in some cases.

As always if you have any questions, or would like to see us tackle a specific topic, please leave us a comment below. We hope you found this information helpful, and we look forward to helping you #livepainfree.