SportTHOR - Low Level Laser Therapy for the rapid recovery of sports injuries
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or NSAIDs ?
NSAIDs slow healing and often have side effects whereas LLLT actually improves healing, as well as reducing inflammation and pain.
Use THOR before you use NSAIDs
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS:
- Acute or chronic tendinopathies
- Sprains and strains
- Neck and back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-operative pain
- Tissue healing
NSAIDs ADVERSE EFFECTS
"If deaths from gastrointestinal toxic effects from NSAIDs were tabulated separately in the National Vital Statistics reports, these effects would constitute the 15th most common cause of death in the United States"
Wolfe et al, New England Journal of Medicine 1999
Selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors have been shown to be detrimental to tissue-level
repair. They have been shown to impair mechanical strength return following acute injury
to bone, ligament and tendon. This may have clinical implications for future injury
susceptibility. However, it should be noted that the current animal studies have limited
translation to the clinical setting. Adverse effects related to the CNS and gastrointestinal
adverse reactions are commonly reported in connection with NSAID use also in elite
athletes. In addition to the potential for adverse effects, recent studies have shown that
NSAID use may negatively regulate muscle growth by inhibiting protein synthesis
Alaranta et al, Sports Med, 2008
Another interesting revelation is the adverse effects of NSAIDs, laboratory research shows that use of steroids and Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs) reduce tendon to bone healing, doubles the risk of sudden heart failure and causes erectile dysfunction. Laser on the other hand improves healing and achieves better pain relief in clinical trials. With over 100 randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trials (RCTs) published in peer reviewed scientific journals LLLT has one of the strongest evidence, a very strong evidence base in rehabilitation medicine and should be used as the first therapeutic intervention after injury and instead of NSAIDs.
