Neck pain may present after a traumatic event or you may just wake up with it one day where you do not recall any recent trauma. You may get neck pain going down your arm due to associated nerves being impinged, or as a result of active trigger points in the neck referring pain down your arm. The main causes of neck pain is irritation of the facet joints (where the vertebrae above and below meet), or due to referred pain from the deep cervical flexors.
A systematic review and met-analysis of randomised controlled assessed the efficacy of low level laser therapy in neck pain. Cold laser is an uncommon, non-invasive treatment, using non-thermal laser irradiation applied to sites of neck pain. The study included those with placebo or with a control in acute or chronic neck pain. Changes in pain was assessed via subjective feedback through a visual analogue scale. The 16 randomised control trials included in this study had a total of 820 patients. In acute neck pain, 2 studies revealed an improvement with low level laser therapy. Chronic neck pain patients in 16 trials showed a significant improvement, whereas 7 had short term pain relief that persisted in the medium term.
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. Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM. Lancet 2009;374(9705):1897–908. Epub 2009 Nov 13. (2010). The Spine Journal.
Another study was conducted to assess the effects of low level laser therapy in the management of cervical facet dysfunction. The aim of the randomized controlled trial was to determine the short term effect of chiropractic joint manipulation and low level laser therapy on pain and range of motion. 60 females between the ages of 18 and 40 years with cervical facet joint pain were included in the study. Each participant received 6 treatments in the 3 weeks. The study concluded that low level laser therapy was beneficial in the treatment of cervical facet dysfunction.
Saayman, L., Hay, C. and Abrahamse, H. (2011). Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy and Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Cervical Facet Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 34(3), pp.153-163.
Cold laser or low level laser therapy can be used for patients to help reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. It has been found cold laser / low level laser therapy can help alleviate neck pain. Cold laser therapy promotes faster healing for recovery. Here at Lakeside Laser in Joondalup-Perth our technicians are trained to use cold laser/low level laser therapy for neck pain. We have specific laser therapy protocol that we follow and have had very good results with it thus far.
We service the surrounding suburbs of Currambine, Kinross, Connolly, Iluka, Burns Beach, Tapping, Ocean Reef, Hillary’s, Hillarys and Padbury.
Come visit our technicians at Lakeside Laser if you experience neck pain and we can find the best treatment options available for you. Call to book your appointment on 9300 0095 or via our website “Contact” tab.