Managing Arthritis Pain with Non-Invasive MLS® Laser Therapy

Pain Management

- What Is Arthritis?
  
  Arthritis is a medical condition marked by the breakdown or inflammation of cartilage in joints, which is the tough, elastic tissue that protects the ends of bones. When the underlying bones begin to rub together, it results in pain and stiffness.
  
  There are over 100 different types of arthritis each with different causes including wear and tear, infections, and underlying diseases¹. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  Symptoms include pain, swelling, reduced range of motion and stiffness.
- Arthritis’ Widespread Effect on Australians
  
  15% of Australians suffer from arthritis, amounting to 3.6 million people per year². These staggering statistic makes it one of the most common causes of disability for people in Australia and worldwide.
  
  Arthritis commonly affects the elderly, especially women. One-third of people aged 65 years and older have arthritis, which is evident by radiography. The incidence of arthritis tends to increase with age with increasing pain and disability of the lower limb, which can seriously affect quality of life.
  
  Can Arthritis Be Cured?
  
  Unfortunately, there is no one cure for arthritis. However, there are many treatments to minimise pain and discomfort caused by the condition. Treating inflammatory arthritis as soon as it is discovered is vitally important. This will not only relieve the pain and fatigue but will stop joint and organ damage before it gets worse.
  
  Earlier diagnosis and advanced technologies for arthritis have changed the landscape of arthritis treatment. People with arthritis are now living longer and healthier lives than ever before.
  One such treatment making a huge impact on the painful condition is MLS^® laser therapy. Laser therapy was introduced as a non-invasive treatment option for arthritis nearly 30 years ago.
  
  What Is MLS^® Laser Therapy?
  
  Multi-Wave Locked System, also known as MLS^® laser therapy, uses specific wavelengths of light to ease chronic and acute pain and speed healing. MLS^® laser therapy treats pain and inflammation associated with joint conditions like arthritis.
  
  The MLS^® laser is a unique Class IV laser that uses two lasers at once. The 905nm laser rapidly eases pain whilst the 808nm wavelength produces the long-lasting reduction of inflammation and swelling. These wavelengths are in the infrared spectrum and are invisible to the eye. Together, they are very effective.
  
  MLS^® laser therapy painlessly penetrates up to 4cm deep and generates no heat. Most patients cannot feel anything while getting the treatment. Treatments take less than 15 minutes each and are completely painless and comfortable.
  
  What Are the Effects of MLS^® Laser Therapy for Arthritis?
  
  MLS^® laser therapy produces many cellular effects that result in effective pain reduction and accelerated healing for arthritis. Laser energy stimulates cells to remove toxins, like histamines and cytokines. Laser waves block pain signals to the nociceptors in the brain and release endorphins and encephalin. This produces effective pain reduction for many conditions including arthritis.
  
  Laser light also increases ATP production and cell growth by bringing blood flow to the area, resulting in accelerated healing. The MLS^® laser stimulates the mitochondria in cells to jumpstart the body’s own healing process. Like an antibiotic, each treatment is cumulative, building upon previous treatments.

- Benefits of MLS^® Laser Therapy for Arthritis
  
  A practitioner using the MLS^® M6 laser to treat a patient with arthritis.

- There are many benefits of MLS^® laser therapy for arthritis, including:
  
  1. It is anti-inflammatory.
  Laser therapy works by improving energy production in joint cells, which lowers inflammation and normalises function. This means increased mobility in the joint and reduced pain for a longer period. This is important to managing arthritis as one of the main symptoms of the condition is swelling.
  
  2. It is safe.
  No known side effects were observed from laser therapy in more than 3,000 scientific studies in 37 different countries over a span of nearly three decades. This makes the treatment ideal for arthritic patients as side effects such as nausea, rashes, or weight gain are possible from other arthritis medication.
  
  3. It has an analgesic effect.
  The MLS^® laser blocks pain transmitted by damaged cells to the brain which decreases nerve sensitivity. Due to reduced inflammation, there is also less oedema and pain. Another pain-blocking mechanism is the production of high levels of pain-killing chemicals, such as endorphins and enkephalin, from the brain and adrenal gland. This makes arthritis more bearable as the pain is significantly reduced.
  
  What Is the Evidence of Laser Therapy for Arthritis?
  
  There are many scientific articles that demonstrate that laser therapy is effective for arthritis.
  In one such study, scientists Drs Alayat and Ali investigated the effect of MLS^® laser therapy on knee pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis³.
  
  50 patients between the ages of 55 and 88 years old were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 received MLS^® laser therapy plus exercises while Group 2 received a placebo laser plus exercises. The exercise program was applied for both groups three times weekly for four weeks. The exercises included range of motion, stretching, isometric, and isotonic resisted exercises to the quadriceps and hamstring muscles.
  
  Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS), whilst knee function was analysed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index of Osteoarthritis (WOMAC). Statistical analyses were performed to compare differences between baseline and post-treatment results for both groups.
  At the conclusion of the study, the researchers found that the MLS^® laser combined with exercise was more effective than exercise alone in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis. The MLS^® laser combined with exercise effectively decreased pain and WOMAC scores compared with the placebo laser plus exercises group.
  
  As found in many other studies, MLS^® laser significantly reduces chronic pain in rheumatoid arthritis, chronic arthritis, and knee injuries. Researchers have found favourable analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and bio-stimulating effects of the device.
- MLS^® Laser for Arthritis in Use: Melbourne Arthritis Specialist Centre
  
  Dr Farshad Ghazanfari (right) and his wife, Morvarid Sadeghian (left), from the Melbourne Arthritis Specialist Centre standing with MLS^® laser’s ‘Active Again’ banner.
- One clinic that has successfully used MLS^® laser therapy to treat arthritis is the Melbourne Arthritis Specialist Centre in Victoria.
  
  Dr Farshad Ghazanfari is the Consultant Physician, Perioperative Physician, Musculoskeletal and Sports Physician and Founder of the practice. Ranked the number one arthritis clinic in Australia, the Melbourne Arthritis Specialist Centre offers state-of-the-art physiotherapy services utilising the latest technology, with their hallmark device being the MLS^® M8 laser.
  
  Morvarid Sadeghian with their MLS^® M8 laser.
- How have patients benefitted from Dr Farshad’s laser? “Every single patient has benefitted from MLS^® laser,” Dr Farshad relates. “If the patient has acute injuries, the laser significantly helps them. Patients not only improve in their range of movement, but their pain is quickly diminished.”
  
  The MLS^® laser has also elevated Dr Farshad’s treatments by enabling him to provide non-opioid alternatives: “Using the MLS^® M8, my wife and I have been extremely successful in minimising the use of drugs, especially opioids. In terms of opioid-sparing medicine, MLS^® laser has been tremendously helpful.” Now his patients have access to treatment that is non-invasive, pain-free, and opioid-free with no side effects. This is one of the factors that has helped his practice’s reputation grow to become recognised as a leading centre for arthritis treatment in Australia.
  
  Watch Dr Farshad’s full testimonial here:
  
  MLS^® Laser is Effective for Arthritis
  
  Laser therapy has been used successfully to treat arthritis and other types of pain for decades. MLS^® laser therapy has been shown to have a significant effect on arthritis. This is possible because it increases energy production in joint cells, decreases inflammation and normalises function. The MLS^® laser should be considered for the relief of arthritic pain and morning stiffness, particularly since it has no known side effects and is non-invasive.
  
  Are you interested in adding MLS^® laser therapy to your clinic for better arthritis treatment? Book a demo of our lasers to learn more about the technology and see if it’s right for your practice.
  
  BOOK A DEMO
  
  Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023, September 3). Musculoskeletal conditions. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/musculoskeletal-conditions/contents/arthritis
  
  Arthritis Foundation. (2022 June 9). What Is Arthritis? https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis
  
  Alayat MS, Ali MM. Efficacy of class IV diode laser on pain and dysfunction in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-control trial. Bull Fac Phys Ther 2017; 22:40-5