Effectiveness of Low Level Laser Therapy for Discogenic Lumbar Ridiculopathy

This podcast discusses a recent research article that explores the effectiveness of low level laser therapy in patients with discogenic lumbar ridiculopathy. The study found that laser therapy, which involved applying very dim levels of light to the affected tissues, showed promising results in reducing pain levels and improving disability levels in comparison to physical therapy alone. Laser therapy was found to slow down nerve conduction, engage the release of endogenous opioids, and increase angiogenesis, leading to reduced pain signals and improved healing. While the laser therapy group showed slightly better outcomes than the physical therapy-only group, both groups experienced significant pain reduction and increased functionality. The podcast encourages patients to consider conservative care options like physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and laser therapy before opting for surgery.