By Dr. Aaron Williams, DC
Dr. Aaron Williams, DC is a graduate of Life University and vice president of the North Carolina Chiropractic Association central district.
Many people with joint pain in the neck, low back, and knees often receive the diagnosis of arthritis. This is a common condition that is highly misunderstood.
There are several types of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis, a problem that comes from abnormal wear and tear that can result in inflammation, bone spurs, loss of cartilage, pinched nerves, pain and muscle tension.
Genetics, lifestyle, and the general alignment of your body can affect the formation of arthritis. If untreated, the wear and tear on the joint causes a loss of motion, which puts more pressure above and below and can cause other areas to wear and tear, forming arthritis. When a joint stops moving normally, it cannot function properly. As it gets closer to bone-on-bone, spurs develop.
There are several phases of this degenerative process.
• Phase 1 involves restricted movement in a joint and loss of the normal, healthy cartilage. The cartilage acts as a spring to distribute the weight evenly throughout the spine. The joint restriction adds pressure on the area. This restricted joint could be from bad posture, repetitive movements, traumas or falls. The muscles start to develop “muscle memory” in this position as they are under extra stress.
• Phase 2 occurs when phase 1 is uncorrected. The joints continue to decay and bone spurs develop. Muscles become fibrous and turn into scar tissue from ongoing strain.
• Phase 3 occurs after years of neglect. The range of motion is severely limited, joints are bone-on-bone and nerves may be damaged. Osteoarthritis does not have to get to phase 3. If the movement of the joints is restored, it helps to balance the weight and prevent further wear and tear. Often, much of the pain from arthritis is the extra strain on the surrounding muscles. There is no cure for arthritis, but there is a safe, non-surgical treatment option to help with healing the surrounding tissue, which provides pain relief and support to areas affected by arthritis. Many avoid surgery altogether through our Lasera™ protocol.
The Non-Surgical Lasera™ improves function and decreases symptoms on up to 80 percent of the patients who have been accepted for care in our office. Lasera™ has been shown to help relieve arthritis pain by using our trademarked protocol with proven results. It’s not only safe but soothing therapy.
It consists of the use of state of the art medical equipment to gently alleviate the pain.
How does it work? Laser therapy works by stimulating production of cellular energy in damaged cells and enhancing cell membrane permeability which promotes the speed of healing and improves elasticity of injured tissues. Lasera™ also modulates pain, reduces inflammation, and improves healing time.
Your body needs oxygen to function properly and sustain life. Oxygen is also instrumental in healing. Most patients find this experience to be refreshing and invigorating. Oxygen therapy also helps stimulate brain activity, reduce stress, alleviate headaches, strengthen the immune system, raise energy levels, and boost concentration.
The number of sessions that you will receive depends on your diagnosis, age, overall health, and other factors that your doctor will determine. Some conditions may require longer treatment intervals than others. The effects of the laser treatments are cumulative, but every person is different. Like all pain relief treatments, some patients experience significant pain relief after the first treatment, but some require additional treatments. It is important to follow all of your doctor’s care instructions in order to receive full benefit from Lasera™.
There is absolutely no need to keep suffering when we have a safe, non-surgical option available to you! Relief from arthritis pain starts with a phone call!
For information:
Call Pain and Laser Center of NC 336-790-7513