For years, ice has been used to treat acute injuries under the premise that it alleviates pain, reduces tissue metabolism and reduces swelling. It has been a standard treatment for injuries and sore muscles because it helps to relieve pain caused by injured tissue. Health care providers have used and recommended the RICE guideline for decades, but now it appears that both ice and immobilization may delay healing.

In 2015, Dr. Mirkin completely reversed course and now strongly advocates against the use of ice on acute injuries. Healing requires inflammation; and anything that reduces or suppresses inflammation will also delay healing.

The human immune system acts a defense mechanism against potentially harmful invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Photobiomodulation treatments can stimulate immune responses, and treatment targeting the lymph nodes or spleen can amplify the effect. Therapeutic laser is a safe, effective immunomodulator that can be applied to patients of all ages with a wide variety of clinical conditions.

Peripheral neuropathy is a serious problem regardless of the cause. Chiropractors are in a unique position to safely and effectively treat peripheral neuropathy with PBM delivered from a class 4 therapeutic laser.

As part of our ongoing efforts to help translate research into practice, the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP), also known as the Clinical Compass, is working to translate scientific research into tools that the profession can use to improve clinical practice. There are no guarantees, but you can increase your chance of success.

For more information about other conditions that may be responsive to PBM and how to support the medical necessity of your proposed treatment plan, go to https://clinicalcompass.org/resources/clinical-guidelines/https://clinicalcompass.org/resources/clinical-guidelines/

NAALT represents clinicians who use or are interested in therapeutic light. The aim of the organization is to improve the understanding of the mechanisms, basic laser physics, safety, treatment parameters, techniques, regulatory issues and reimbursement of laser therapy for health practitioners.