Swollen joints can be a painful and frustrating condition, affecting your ability to move freely and enjoy everyday activities. Whether it’s due to arthritis, injury, or another underlying condition, joint swelling is often accompanied by stiffness, pain, and discomfort. At Worthing Osteopathic & Wellbeing Clinic, we understand the impact that swollen joints can have on your quality of life, and we’re here to offer a solution: laser therapy.
Understanding Joint Swelling
Joint swelling, also known as oedema, occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the tissues surrounding the joints. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Inflammation: Conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are common culprits.
- Injury: Sprains, strains, or direct trauma to the joint can lead to swelling as the body responds to the injury.
- Infection: Infections in the joint or surrounding tissues can cause significant swelling.
- Overuse: Repetitive motions or overexertion can irritate the joint, leading to inflammation and swelling.
Regardless of the cause, swollen joints can limit your range of motion and make even simple tasks feel challenging. Fortunately, laser therapy offers a non-invasive, effective treatment option to reduce swelling and promote healing.
What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy, also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or cold laser therapy, uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate deep into the tissues. Unlike surgical lasers, which cut or burn, the laser used in LLLT is low-intensity and works by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes.
When the laser light is applied to the affected joint, it interacts with the cells, enhancing cellular function and promoting tissue repair. The light energy is absorbed by the cells, leading to a series of biological responses that reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and accelerate healing.
How Laser Therapy Helps with Swollen Joints
- Reducing Inflammation:
- One of the primary benefits of laser therapy is its ability to reduce inflammation. The laser light decreases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (molecules that promote inflammation) and increases the release of anti-inflammatory factors. This helps to decrease the swelling around the joint, reducing pressure on surrounding tissues and alleviating pain.
- Promoting Blood Circulation:
- Laser therapy improves blood flow to the affected area, which is crucial for reducing swelling. Enhanced circulation helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissues, while also removing waste products and excess fluid. This process speeds up the body’s natural healing response and reduces the swelling more rapidly.
- Accelerating Tissue Repair:
- The light energy from laser therapy stimulates cellular activity, encouraging faster regeneration of damaged tissues. For swollen joints, this means that the injured or inflamed tissues can repair more quickly, leading to a reduction in swelling and a quicker return to normal function.
- Pain Relief:
- Swollen joints are often painful, and laser therapy offers significant pain relief without the need for medication. The therapy works by blocking pain signals from the nerves and reducing sensitivity in the affected area. It also triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, providing immediate and long-lasting relief.
- Non-Invasive and Safe:
- One of the most appealing aspects of laser therapy is that it’s a non-invasive treatment with no downtime. It’s a safe and gentle option for people of all ages, including those who may not be suitable candidates for surgery or other more invasive treatments.
Conditions Treated with Laser Therapy
Laser therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions that cause joint swelling, including:
- Osteoarthritis: Reduces inflammation and pain, improving joint mobility.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Helps manage chronic inflammation and slows disease progression.
- Gout: Decreases the acute inflammation and pain associated with gout attacks.
- Sports Injuries: Accelerates healing of sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries.
- Post-Surgical Swelling: Assists in reducing swelling and speeding up recovery after joint surgery.
What to Expect During Laser Therapy
At Worthing Osteopathic & Wellbeing Clinic, we tailor laser therapy sessions to meet your individual needs. During your session, you’ll be comfortably positioned, and the therapist will apply the laser device to the swollen joint. The treatment is painless and typically lasts between 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.
You may start to notice a reduction in swelling and pain after just a few sessions, though a full course of treatment may be recommended to achieve the best results. Since laser therapy is cumulative, each session builds on the progress of the previous one, leading to long-term improvements.
Why Choose Laser Therapy at Worthing Osteopathic & Wellbeing Clinic?
Our clinic is dedicated to providing the highest quality care using the latest techniques and technologies. Laser therapy is just one of the many treatments we offer to help our patients manage pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance their overall well-being. Our experienced therapists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals.
If you’re struggling with swollen joints and are looking for a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment option, consider laser therapy at Worthing Osteopathic & Wellbeing Clinic. Contact us today on 01903 366260 to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a pain-free life.