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:

Consistency is Key: Laser therapy is cumulative. Most patients see the best results with a series of treatments scheduled close together initially.
Combine with Movement: Use the "pain-free window" after a laser session to engage in light stretching or hydrotherapy to keep joints lubricated.
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.

The Center for Disease Control estimates 54 million Americans experience limited activity due to Arthritis. That’s 23% of adults in the US who report severe joint pain associated with this condition. Most of us have put a few hard miles on our bodies during the time we’ve been around. So what do those years of wear and tear mean when dealing with arthritic symptoms, and how can we manage them better?

Arthritis is a term used to describe, or blanket, over 200 conditions which affect joint health. There are many different forms of Arthritis, and it does not discriminate based on age or gender. At the heart of the problem lies a list of symptoms which often have gradual onset and may go un-noticed.

Associated symptoms include:

· Pain

· Inflammation

· Decreased range of motion

· Redness of the skin surrounding the joint

Despite advancements in medicine, typical treatment protocols for arthritis haven’t changed much over the years. Most doctors attempt to alleviate symptoms to manage the condition, as there is no cure. Often analgesics like acetaminophen or hydrocodone are used to treat pain. Some practitioners will recommend NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or Ibuprofen to both control pain and decrease inflammation. Additionally, topical creams are prescribed to help block transmission of pain signals. In some cases, surgical options like joint replacement may be considered as well as physical therapy to strengthen muscle surrounding affected joints.

But what if these options don’t work for you?

While there is no cure for arthritis, other management options are available to help you stave off the symptoms associated with this condition. Alternatives include weight loss, exercise, hydro therapy, and laser therapy. With the exception of hydro therapy and laser therapy, weight loss and exercise attempt to relieve additional stress on joints while aiding in range of motion, and strengthening surrounding muscles.

Hydro therapy is a form of physical therapy in which exercise and water are used to decrease inflammation while supporting the body and allowing for increases in range of motion.

Laser therapy is a different form of physical therapy that uses light energy to stimulate your body’s ability to repair itself. When applied to symptomatic joints, laser therapy decreases pain and inflammation, but also helps improve mobility. Because of the laser systems used, patients note no pain associated with the treatment, or negative side effects. Laser therapy is completely non-invasive and safe.

We hope this blog post helps shed light on the different management options available to patients who deal with Arthritic pain and related symptoms. Don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly blog, or you can follow us on Facebook @Tripodlaser. We look forward to helping you #livepainfree.