Like many medical researchers who has spent a significant portion of life in research, I am always pleased to see innovation and breakthrough in my field of work. This news piece from Channel 7 has shown advanced laboratory methods of measuring and tracking pain. While very promising, this further stresses the worrying trend that there is increasing number of Australians suffering from debilitating pain. See the link 

https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/29974736/world-first-relief-from-chronic-pain/

The new blood test looks very promising indeed. Once the technique is matured within the next 5 years, it should start to give us a better of diagnosing pain and measure the effectiveness of existing treatments. Unfortunately if you are suffering from pain right now, 5 years is a long time to wait

If your day to day life is impacted by pain and you are in search of an effective treatment option, come and see the expert team at Sydney Laser Health Solutions. We use clinically proven Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to treat a range of pain conditions. 

Sydney had experienced some of the coldest days of recent years this winter. It just happens as I have noticed an increased number of patients coming to my clinic lately for back pain. Does cold weather cause more pain? What’s the relationship between temperature drops and flare ups of old injuries? With more winter to come still what can we do to keep pain away?

Like many with arthritis can “predict” changing of weathers accurately due to change in atmospheric pressure, it is believed that changing atmospheric condition can also cause pain. Atmospheric pressure, or barometric pressure, is the “weight” that surrounds our bodies, constantly “pushing” against it, keeping its shape and alignment. As seasons change, atmospheric conditions alter. Subtle changes happen inside our bodies too, for example, tissues could expand, pushing against nerve terminals, these then send distress signals to our brains known as pain. This is further compounded for people with chronic pain, as nerves can be particularly sensitised due to injury, tissue damage – inflammation. In addition, it is no secret that one tends to coil up and shiver in the cold, when muscles around aforementioned sensitive nerve endings contract and tense up, pushing against them, causing sites of old injury to flare up.

Cold nights, clear sky, any seasoned Sydneysiders will predict that it is going to be followed by a beautiful sunny day next up. While we get to make the most of the warmth in the sun, we will have to be alerted that big temperature swings usually catch a lot of people out cold, literally. As more of the population gets sick or simply carries illness, it is easier to contract pathogen. Many actually don’t get into full blown sickness immediately, if at all – introducing the unsung hero, our immune system. In addition to actively identify and eliminate threats, the immune system does a lot more, such as removing metabolic waste, ensuring essential biochemical reactions, such as ATP (energy) synthesis to take place efficiently to maintain cells healthy. Conversely, injured cells that already require a lot of attention from the immune system to heal, in a body that is struck with sickness would be even harder to heal.

So what can you do about preventing/ alleviate back pain during the cold of winter? Well, the first thing you can do is to keep warm. Make sure you wear appropriate clothing for the weather such as thick coats, gloves, and hats. Warm up before exercising, and tone it down gradually after you fininsh. It is also an good idead to always keep an extra layer handy, pull a jacket on after activities in the sun even though you still feel a bit warm. Keep home heated, take a minute to warm up the car in the morning before breakfast so when you actually drives, you step into a warm environment.

It is typical that when pain flares up, people often feel anxious and depressed. Learning how to improve your mood then, is important. It helpful to divide things into bite size pieces, learn how to pace yourself, and figure out how to improve your sleep. If distraction works for you, always have something to keep your mind occupied. Keep telling yourself winter will pass, and the pain is temporary.

Like many of my patients who walk out of my clinic with a smile on their faces, you may try Low Level Laser Therapy. As LLLT is getting more and more recognised, more and more people understand that it helps to manage pain through introducing photochemical reactions, actively helps to modulate ATP synthesis process to break the vicious cycle of cellular energy deficiency; consolidates immune system, helping it to protect you; and last but not the least helps to improve mood through Laser Acupuncture.

Dr Norman Doidge is currently in Sydney to promote his new book at Sydney Writer’s Festival - The Brain’s Way of Healing, which chronicles the amazing journeys of men and women who battled and "trained" their brains to stop processing chronic pain signals in the relatively new field of science called neuroplastisity. I’ve had a number of new patients who have found my website through Dr Doidge’s book.

In Chapter 4 of the book, Dr Doidge discussed and presented cases where Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) had helped patients with pain and other chronic conditions. If you missed the talks in Sydney, please listen to Dr Doidge's interview with ABC at the following link.http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2015/04/aim_20150419.mp3

In my clinic and through my past research, evidence shows that LLLT is effective for patients with chronic conditions in terms of pain reduction and initiation of tissue healing process. My patient V.B. has been suffering severe headache for years and went to hospital 4 times recently without any significant improvements. When she read the book, she visited my clinic. Following a careful assessment she has been offered a combination of LLLT and laser acupuncture treatments. She has reported that feels great after 5 sessions of the treatment.

Many of my other patients have benefited from LLLT treatment across a range of pain related conditions, for example, D.H. (Back pain), L.M. (Knee and feet pain), D. M. (Achilles tendon injury and neck pain), C. B. (Post surgical pain), M.D. (Neck pain), A.S. (Shoulder/hip & groin pain), and N.T. (Neck pain and Pins and needle in hand).

If like them, you wish to explore an alternative and clinically proven way of treating pain, contact my clinic. I will assess and design a personalised treatment plan to get the best outcomes for you.

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) technology has been used in Europe and USA for decades, its fantastic to see the technology getting some coverage in Australia. Check out this news piece titled "Beating backpain" by Seven News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPk5HxzF_kY#

Chronic pain is a highly individualised and insidious clinical problem. It can have major impacts on a person’s ability to live a normal life. My patients end up with long-term pain after surgery, injury, cancer treatment or childbirth, and frustratingly, sometimes without any obvious trigger. There are a lot of physical symptoms include tense muscles, limited mobility, a lack of energy, and changes in appetite. Often over looked, are the emotional effects. My patients often tell me about depression, anger and anxiety caused by living with pain. They are often fearful of re-injury.

Traditional treatment can include the extensive use of drugs and medications, and even invasive surgery, which often have limited results.

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a drug free, non-invasive and clinically proven alternative treatment option. I've had many years of research and clinical experience in this area and LLLT is now available in Bondi Junction using the latest in medical laser technology.