Managing Diabetic Neuropathy through Infrared Therapy
Diabetic Neuropathy is a complication associated with diabetes resulting in nerve damage. It is a progressive disease that can involve loss of sensation, as well as pain and weakness in the feet and sometimes in the hands. According to recent studies, approximately half of all diabetes patients develop diabetic neuropathy.
Various adjunct treatments to improve neuropathy have been introduced into the market. One such treatment is monochromatic infrared energy (MIRE) therapy, which produced promising results. MIRE therapy (marketed as “Anodyne Therapy” by one company) is an innovative new form of technology that utilizes infrared light therapy through contact with the skin. This therapy may also be referred to as infrared therapy, near-infrared light therapy, and infrared light treatment.
Photoenergy-emitting pads, attached to a power unit, are placed on the lower limbs of a patient with neuropathy. Infrared light causes a release of nitric oxide from the body’s red blood cells, and in turn creates better blood flow and circulation, thus reducing swelling, pain and stiffness. In addition to increasing circulation, infrared also creates angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels from existing ones) which helps people with neuropathy. Treatment is recommended at least three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes and involves nothing more than sitting or lying with the pad on the troubled area.
The Research
In a 2006 article in the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, a study was conducted to determine whether restoration of sensation, impaired due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy, would reduce the number of falls, the fear of falling, and improve activities of daily living (ADL) in a Medicare-aged population. A total of 252 patients (mean age 76 years) provided health information following symptomatic reversal of diabetic neuropathy (mean duration 8.6 months).
The main results were: incidence of falls and fear of falling decreased within one month after reversal of peripheral neuropathy and remained low after one year. Likewise, improved ADLs were evident soon after reversal of peripheral neuropathy and showed further improvement after one year. Overall, reversal of peripheral neuropathy in a clinician’s office and subsequent use of MIRE at home was associated with a 78% reduction in falls, a 79% decrease in balance-related fear of falling, and a 72% increase in ADL.
Source: www.testcountry.com
For more information or a Free Consultation with Dr. Brian Gibson, DC to see if this therapy is right for you, please call us at 941-488-5553 and mention this article. Also visit, Neuropathy Centers Of Florida.
