Dr. Robert Hedeya, a neuropsychiatry expert, discusses the use of hyperbaric oxygen, laser therapy, and neural exercise for brain recovery. They explore the plasticity of the brain and the potential for improvement after damage. The speakers discuss resistance to new approaches in medicine and the frustration of patients with physical pain being dismissed as psychological.

A 2021 study takes a look at rotator cuff tears of post-stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain. Surprisingly, this shoulder pain issue can occur in 16-84% of post-stroke patients. For many rotator cuff patients, surgery or conservative care may yield good results. In this episode, Dr. Rountree reviews the study methods, evaluation process, and how laser therapy was used to improve pain and tendon tear size. Is your exercise care plan enough? Or can you  improve patient recovery with laser therapy? Studies mentioned in this episodeThe effectiveness of high intensity laser therapy in the treatment of post-stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain, a prospective randomized controlled study. Further Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

Can photo biomodulation therapy have results equal to RF or lidocaine nerve blocks? In this look at a 2016 study on lidocaine injections and radio frequency nerve blocks, versus laser nerve blocks, results showed that laser nerve blocks had better results for pain relief mid to long term. Hear about the procedure and parameters used for this study. Studies mentioned in this episodePhotobiomodulation of the dorsal root ganglion for treatment of low back pain: a pilot studyFurther Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

Chances are you have treated a patient with neuropathy. What methods did you use? Were you confident in your examination and diagnosis process? Have you considered building a practice plan conducive specifically for neuropathy patients?In this excerpt, Dr. Rountree goes into detail on how laser therapy works, reviews studies that look at the effectiveness of photobiomodulation, and summarizes what the research says about using light to treat neuropathy pain.This webinar contains information that you can use in our patient education process. View the entire webinar here.Further Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

Dr. Rountree reviews a carpal tunnel study from 2016 on how skin reflection can impact laser treatments. Factors that affect delivery of light therapy to target tissues include skin tone, melanin absorption, light scatter, and skin reflection of various wavelengths of light. Does this affect your light therapy results? Can you ensure you’re getting the proper dose delivered?  Mentioned in this episode·       Low-power laser therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome: effective optical power.·       STUDY: Carpal Tunnel SurgeryFurther Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is very common, and research does show it is effective for severe cases. But should we look deeper at mild and moderate cases for non-surgical intervention? Dr Rountree summarizes a study on TENS vs Laser Therapy for mild to moderate carpal tunnel cases as well as the side effects of carpal tunnel surgery. How you can ensure that your patient is informed and getting the best possible care for their case?   Studies mentioned in this episodeThe relationship of trigger finger and flexor tendon volar migration after carpal tunnel release.Pain and electrophysiological parameters are improved by combined 830-1064 high-intensity LASER in symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.Biomechanical alterations in the carpal arch and hand muscles after carpal tunnel release: a further approach towards understanding the function of the flexor retinaculum and the cause of postoperative grip weakness Further Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

Dr. Rountree dives into a study on laser therapy for post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles pain) patients who had no relief from medications. This podcast goes over what wavelength was used, length of study, and the results along with the flaws in this study. When treating post-herpetic neuralgia patients, what factors should be considered for effective pain management? Studies mentioned in this episode·       Role of low-level laser therapy in post-herpetic neuralgia: a pilot study.Further Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

While focused on dental applications like TMJ pain, xerostomia, and oral mucositis, this systematic review makes some very good points for light practitioners of any discipline. The researchers provide a look at the need to view deep tissue targeted laser therapy in tissue volume, rather than surface area. Dr. Rountree goes over the additional recommendations for proper spot size, energy dosing, and laser handpieces to achieve optimal tissue healing, whether the target is superficial or deep. Studies mentioned in this episode Photobiomodulation Dose Parameters in Dentistry: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Further Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

This is Part 2 of a two-part LTI provider discussion, where we look at the latest research and commentaries on laser therapy for low back pain. The discussion is expanded to include discussion on medical research and what it can or cannot tell us about medicine in general. Why does the medical field demand more and more extensive research for a clearly safe intervention like laser therapy while commonly performing irreversible surgeries with almost no evidence for efficacy? Are there medical practices and procedures that happen every day, without the proper research to back them?   Studies mentioned in this episodeAmerica performs far more CT and MRI scans than other countries. There’s ‘virtually no evidence’ that’s helpful, researchers say.A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Total Knee ReplacementThe Evidence Supporting Common Orthopedic Surgeries Is AWFULLumbar fusion versus nonoperative management for treatment of discogenic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsThe Case for Being a Medical ConservativeThe Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic and Policy Responses on Excess Mortality Further Resources:Success with Laser Therapy Flowchart & Checklist InfographicCheck out these FREE Provider ResourcesLearn more about what we offer on the LTI websiteFind out how you can Customize your LTI experienceRelated Podcast for PatientsHealing at the Speed of Light

In this podcast, the effectiveness of laser therapy for low back pain is discussed. The lack of evidence supporting its use is highlighted, while also acknowledging the need for further research on alternative treatments. The debate between class three and class four lasers is explored, along with the challenges of conducting robust trials. The importance of evidence-based treatments and the need for checking sources are also emphasized.