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Today many patients are seeking relief from neck pain using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM) versus treating the symptoms with drugs and ignoring the underlying cause of chronic neck pain.
What is Neck Pain?
Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects more than 30% of U.S. adults annually.1 The exact cause of the pain can be unclear because approximately 50% of the population2 is afflicted with degenerative joint disease, but neck pain may be associated with several factors, including:
Injury or trauma, such as whiplash or repetitive occupational injuries
Cervical nerve root involvement
Poor posture
Common Conditions Associated with Neck Pain
Degenerative disc disease
Degenerative joint disease of the zygapophyseal joints
Disc herniations
The Relationship Between Neck Pain and Facet Joints
A significant portion of pain associated with cervical sprains is likely to involve the facet joints, in addition to the intervertebral disc and upper cervical ligaments. There have been neuro-anatomic studies that revealed how the facet joint is innervated and contains free and encapsulated nerve endings.3 This may contribute to the pain many patients experience.
Pain Management with LLLT
LLLT has been shown to have a significant effect on pain reduction for patients suffering from neck pain.4 Photo acceptors within the body absorb the emitted light when applied in direct contact with the body. The absorbed light stimulates the production of intracellular energy via oxidative phosphorylation in the electron transport chain.
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The application of light can be part of a larger treatment program. Optimal outcomes are primarily dependent on the dose of light that is administered to the target area. Treatment times for pain tend to be longer and provide higher doses. Also of note, the targets for the treatment of pain are different, in that the primary targets are nerves, nerve roots, trunks and branches. A treatment plan should be prepared to address factors such as tissue injury but the primary focus should be the reduction of pain.
Basic Treatment Techniques
1. Position patient in a comfortable position.
2. Directly target the site of pain with a higher dose of 3-4 minutes with Hz (approximately 30-50 joules), and targets should include nerve roots, branches and trunks. Select a minimum of 2 targets.
3. Do not move the emitter; hold it in one location (static) to keep the delivered dose constant.
4. Pain treatments of the cervical spine may benefit from doing treatment from the anterior to prevent scattering of the light by the articulating facets (AF). In the cervical vertebrae, AF face 45 degrees to the transverse plane and lie parallel to the frontal plane, with the superior articulating process facing posterior and up with the inferior articulating processes facing anterior and down.
PBM or LLLT, in conjunction with other therapies, offers a safe and effective alternative to drugs or surgery in treating neck pain.
Sources
Practical Pain Management. About Back/Spine, Neck, and Shoulder Pain &#; The Statistics. . Retrieved from https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/patient/conditions/low-back-pain/about-back-spine-neck-shoulder-pain-statistics
AAPM&R. Degenerative Joint Disease. Retrieved from https://www.aapmr.org/about-physiatry/conditions-treatments/pain-neuromuscular-medicine-rehabilitation/degenerative-joint-disease
Manchikanti, L., Schultz, D. M., Falco, F. J., & Singh, V. (). Cervical facet joint interventions. In Essentials of Interventional Techniques in Managing Chronic Pain (pp. 387-412). Springer, Cham.
Chow, R. T., Johnson, M. I., Lopes-Martins, R. A., & Bjordal, J. M. (). Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. The Lancet, 374(), -.
Remember that time you turned your head a little too quickly, and it ended up hurting unless you kept it in a certain position? It seemed your neck stayed that way for a week. Or when you fell asleep in the car on the way to your best friend&#;s wedding and every photo of you at the reception had you tilting your head to the left? What about the time you went camping and you left your pillow at home? No matter how it happens, when the outcome is neck pain, expect to have a pretty bad day.
To be fair, your neck has some pretty awesome responsibilities. That&#;s because the neck actually is part of the spine, serving as a sort of command and communications center for the nerves, bones, muscles, and joints that are directed by the brain. The neck also keeps your head on straight &#; no easy task!
Whether caused by whiplash, sleeping funny, or an unfortunately timed glance, neck pain can be both inconvenient and painful. In many cases, heat and rest can get you back on track. But sometimes a more advanced therapy may be required, and that&#;s where low-level laser therapy comes in.
Low-level laser therapy is an FDA-approved non-invasive form of regenerative medicine that works by placing a light beam on the injured area in an effort to affect cellular metabolism, wound healing, protein synthesis, and immune response. By stimulating cellular mitochondria, the low-level laser initiates a low-grade inflammatory response that then stimulates the body to improve blood circulation for the thickened fascia. This promotes healing by causing the immune system to jump in and turn on the inflammatory cascade, starting the repair process.
According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, in cases of chronic neck pain, low-level laser therapy can provide relief from pain for 2-6 months after the completion of treatment with no reported serious complications or side effects. Patients who are treated with low-level laser therapy find it convenient, non-intrusive, and highly effective.
If you have chronic or sudden neck pain, it&#;s best to seek medical attention, especially if that pain is accompanied by tingling, radiating pain, or a numbness or weakness that prevents you from gripping or lifting objects. If you should find yourself needing care, contact Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Centers at (302) 730- or request an appointment online to discuss whether laser or another type of therapy can offer relief for your neck pain or any other pain you might be experiencing.
Are you interested in learning more about Neck Laser Therapy Device? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!