The Efficacy of DITI and Cold Laser in Pain Management

Diane Kusunose P.T., B.T.

How does Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) and Cold Laser Therapy work together? How can both of these modalities aid in pain management? Using DITI we can look at an acute area of injury, or a chronic area of pain anywhere in the body with a thermographic snapshot. We can see the distribution of heat, excess heat and lack of heat in the tissues of the body at the site of pain and surrounding areas. We can then treat these areas with Cold Laser Therapy. To see the results of low-level Cold Laser treatment, another thermographic picture is taken of the same painful area. Following one treatment, you can generally see changes in the heat and colors of the treated tissue and be able to observe as well as feel the benefits of the Cold Laser Therapy treatment.

DITI is an FDA approved clinical imaging procedure for detecting, preventing and monitoring diseases and physical injuries. Thermographic cameras detect body’s heat in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (900-14,000 nanometers) and produce images of that. This is why DITI is so beneficial. In the human body, DITI allows us to look at hot and cold spots in the tissue that indicate inflammation, increased or decreased circulation, and muscle tissue trigger points or spasms that are sites of pain in the body. The heat or lack of heat is very helpful to determine potential problems or stress of the tissues and bones. Even though infrared energy is invisible to the human eye all objects at ordinary temperatures emit this energy. DITI provides you with a clear detailed picture and report on your whole body and its systems with no damaging radiation.

Cold Laser Therapy is a non-invasive and highly effective method of pain treatment. A cold laser (low-level laser) is applied directly to the skin providing relief from chronic pain anywhere in the body. The cold laser emits energy in the form of photons; these particles of energy are absorbed by cells and tissues resulting in the conversion of light into biochemical energy. It is believed that the laser stimulates removal of noxious chemicals via lymphatics. The Cold Laser Therapy causes healing rather then just pain blockage and has a lasting effect. Thus this low power laser treatment at appropriate anatomic areas can effectively and safely provide chronic pain relief as well as for reduction in migraine and other intermittent pain. You may feel a slight vibration or nothing at all and the process takes about 15 minutes per location. There is generally some relief from the first treatment for acute pain. There is zero radiation and the process is completely pain free.

Cold Laser Therapy is FDA approved and can be applied to almost any area of the body and for almost any type of pain. Healthwalk’s laser technology uses the TerraQuant Laser by Apex Energetics. This advancement in laser therapy uses laser-light, infrared and magnets to enhance tissue recovery from injury and general inflammation, therefore, decreasing acute and chronic pain.

Recently a young female came into HealthWalk with the chief complaint of numbness and tingling in the right fingertips of the first three fingers, pain in the right wrist especially at night while sleeping, and noticed weakness with activities of daily living. She used her hands a lot in her profession and the pain had been increasing the past two weeks. She wore a splint given to her by her doctor and reported his diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Thermographic pictures were taken of both forearms and hands. The left side appeared without indicators, however the right showed heat colors around the origin of the palmaris longus muscle just below the elbow. Heat colors were also evident at the wrist on the palmar side of the right hand. The digits of the thumb, index, and middle finger distally were darker, cooler colors indicating less circulation possible there.

The client was treated with the cold laser over the areas of muscle pain, inflammation and over the vessels at the elbow for circulation.

Immediately following the completion of the laser treatment, another thermographic picture was taken of both distal arms bilaterally.

The second pictures after the laser treatment showed significant changes in the heat pattern of the right arm. The hot areas were now cooler and the darker colors had changed to warmer indicator colors. A response of improved circulation and decreased inflammation resulted and this was observable to the client visibly with DITI and was also felt with decreased pain of the right hand.

DITI and Cold Laser Therapy are very beneficial and when used together they offer a complete solution by providing first a picture of what is transpiring in the body with DITI and then to offer immediate treatment of the problem area with Cold Laser Therapy.