PHOTOBIOMODULATION FOR COMMON RUNNING INJURIES Photobiomodulation has been shown to reduce the amount of exercise required to recover from achilles tendinopathy. The following study by Tumilty showed that exercising 2 times a week when combined with therapeutic laser provided equivalent outcomes to a group that had to exercise 2 sessions per day on a daily basis when not utilizing laser. This is important as patient compliance can be significantly improved when required to exercise 2 times a week compared to 14 times!
Here is a brief summary of the findings of Photobiomodulation and eccentric exercise for Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial:
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Double blinded research
Participants were 18-65 years old
• Participants had experienced symptoms for over 3 months • There were 4 groups: • Twice a day, every day exercise + placebo laser • Twice a day, every day exercise + laser • Placebo laser + once a day, twice a week exercise • Laser + once a day, twice a week exercises
• Outcome measure: VISA-A (Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles) • Findings: Patients achieved the same results incorporating high power laser with only 2 exercise sessions a week compared to the twice a day everyday exercise program.
Adding laser therapy to treatment protocols for Achilles tendinopathy enables patients to exercise less and achieve the same outcomes. 39 Learn More at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26610637/
Laser therapy may be used over metal orthopedic implants and hardware since therapeutic light simply reflects off metallic surfaces. Shockwave is, however, contraindicated for the use over implants. For clinicians working with older populations, laser may be a more versatile treatment option for this reason. Does your patient have metal implants?
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