Is the use of light effective in treating osteoarthritis?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh - Rehabilitation Doctor - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.
Osteoarthritis is one of the common diseases, not only in the elderly but also in young people. Currently, there are many methods of treating osteoarthritis, in which, using light to treat osteoarthritis is a modern and highly effective method.

1. What types of light are there to treat osteoarthritis?

Treatment of osteoarthritis with light is one of the increasingly widely used physical therapy methods. Depending on the type and condition of the disease, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate type of treatment light. There are 3 types of light used to treat common bone and joint diseases: infrared, ultraviolet and laser.
Infrared rays are also known as heat rays. When shining into the body, infrared rays are absorbed by tissue cells, increasing blood circulation, reducing swelling of inflammatory tissues, reducing muscle spasms, soothing nerve endings, thus reducing pain. effective in the treatment of lumbar spine pain, shoulder and neck pain due to neurological factors. In addition, infrared rays also have anti-inflammatory effects, which are applied in the treatment of bone and joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, myositis, ... Ultraviolet rays include 3 types are UVA, UVB and UVC rays, which are used in the treatment and prevention of rickets in children. High-intensity laser has been widely applied in the treatment of bone and joint diseases such as sciatica, herniated disc, pain, stiffness in fingers, hands, feet, knees, hip joints, misalignment, crooked neck.

2. Is light therapy effective for osteoarthritis?

Among the types of light used to treat osteoarthritis mentioned above, high-intensity laser is a modern method that allows high treatment efficiency because this is a type of light with strong intensity and wide wavelength. When shining into the body, the high-intensity laser can have a profound effect on the inside of the damaged tissue, helping to stimulate tissue regeneration, thereby reducing pain.
In addition, when irradiating the body with a laser, a substance called Adenosine Triphosphate (abbreviated as ATP) is formed that will help regenerate the function and shape of damaged cells and cartilage tissue structures. , thereby helping to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Using light to treat osteoarthritis diseases combined with physical therapy exercises, spinal manipulation will bring higher treatment efficiency, patients quickly restore motor functions.

3. Is it safe to use light to treat osteoarthritis?

Using light to treat osteoarthritis is a method that has been applied in recent times, so many patients and their family members are still wondering about the safety of this treatment method due to fear of radiation. laser can affect human body. However, this is a safe method and does not cause harm if it is used correctly and in the correct dosage.
In addition, using light to treat osteoarthritis is a painless treatment, a relatively short course of treatment and is performed by highly qualified and experienced specialists. , has high treatment efficiency but still ensures safety.
Using light to treat osteoarthritis has been increasingly widely applied because of its short treatment time, no pain and high treatment efficiency. Musculoskeletal disease is a common disease in our country, accordingly, disease complications significantly affect the quality of life of patients. Currently, at Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a full system of modern medical machines for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. In particular, all treatment methods are carried out according to the innovation of modern medicine under the implementation of experienced and qualified doctors, which will create a sense of security and bring a good quality of life. best for the patient.

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