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Discovering a Safe and Effective Alternative to Opioids for Pain Management

    • In a world where opioid dependency has reached epidemic proportions, it is more important than ever to find a safe and effective alternative to opioids for pain management. The devastating impact of opioid abuse has touched the lives of countless individuals and families, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. But there is hope on the horizon.

      In this article, we will explore the emergence of new treatments and therapies that offer effective alternatives to opioids for pain management.

      By shedding light on these alternatives, practitioners can be empowered to provide their patients with a safe, effective pain management alternative with no side effects. Discover the latest medical advancements for pain management, what conditions it can be used for, and learn from an orthopaedic surgeon’s perspective on how opioid alternatives can promote a healthier recovery.

       

      The Opioid Crisis: Understanding the Problem

    • A person holding multiple opioid pills.

    • The opioid crisis has become a significant public health concern, affecting communities worldwide. Opioids are highly addictive substances that can lead to physical dependence and severe health consequences.

    • Opioid dependency can have devastating effects on individuals and their loved ones. Besides the risk of overdose and death, long-term opioid use can lead to a range of physical and mental health issues. These can include respiratory depression, constipation, hormonal imbalances, liver damage, increased sensitivity to pain, and psychological dependence. This has resulted in opioid addiction having a large burden on Australian healthcare.

      According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, pharmaceutical opioids were more likely than recreational drugs to be involved in opioid deaths and hospitalisations, amounting to 62% of all drug-induced deaths. This rate has risen between 2007 to 2016. 1  In addition to deaths, opioid pharmacotherapy, or treatment for opioid dependency, also presents a heavy load on Australian healthcare. 55,741 patients received opioid pharmacotherapy on a given day across Australia in 2022. 2

      This demonstrates the urgent need for a safe and effective alternative to opioids for pain management. One promising alternative to opioids is MLS® laser therapy.

    • MLS® Laser Therapy is an Effective Alternative to Opioids

      MLS<sup srcset=® laser therapy treating a patient’s foot.” width=”1001″ height=”443″ />

      MLS® laser therapy is an innovative treatment that has shown to be a safe and effective alternative to opioids.  It utilises a dual-wavelength laser system that delivers specific light energy to the affected area, promoting tissue repair and reducing pain. The laser therapy device has gained recognition for its effectiveness in managing various painful conditions, making it a potential substitute for opioid-based pain relief.

      MLS® has many advantages to opioids for pain management. It is not addictive and has no known side effects. This eliminates the negative consequences of addiction and the burden it has on the community. It is safe and effective, penetrating deep into tissues to treat the source of pain, not just masking the symptoms. This allows for long-lasting pain relief.

    • How Does MLS® Laser Therapy Reduce Pain?

      A practitioner using the MLS<sup srcset=® MiS laser machine to treat a patient’s shoulder.” width=”709″ height=”439″ />

      MLS® laser therapy works by stimulating cellular activity, reducing inflammation, and promoting the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. The light energy emitted by the laser penetrates deep into the tissues, targeting the source of pain and accelerating the healing process. This non-invasive and drug-free approach provides a safe and effective alternative for individuals seeking pain relief without the risks associated with opioids.

      When applied, the laser therapy device produces photons of light that penetrate tissue 3-4 cm deep. At this deeper tissue penetration, MLS® laser therapy can provide the greatest anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The light produced by the laser then acts on localised cells, accelerating their growth and reproduction, while helping cells take in more nutrients at a faster rate.

      Many scientific studies have shown that MLS® laser significantly reduces chronic pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic arthritis, and knee injuries. Researchers have also found favourable analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and bio-stimulating effects of laser. Download our Laser Therapy Research – Medical eBook to find out more.

       

      What Conditions is MLS® Laser Therapy Effective for Pain Management?

      MLS® laser therapy has shown promise in managing various conditions that traditionally rely on opioids for pain management. These include but are not limited to:

      • Muscle soreness, strains, and tears
      • Degenerative joint conditions (Arthritis, Bursitis)
      • General pain and bruising
      • Tendon and ligament injuries
      • Wounds and ulcers
      • Neurological conditions. Visit our Laser Therapy in Neuropathic Pain page to discover more about this topic.

    • A practitioner administering MLS® laser therapy to a man's hand with arthritis.

    • Many practitioners, including GPs, physiotherapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, neurologists, and orthopaedic surgeons are using the MLS® Laser to effectively manage their patients’ pain.

    • An Orthopaedic Surgeon’s Perspective: MLS® Laser Therapy as an Effective Alternative to Opioids

      Dr Scott Sigman, Orthopaedic Surgeon.

      Dr Scott A. Sigman has had decades of success offering MLS® laser therapy for pain management instead of opioids.

      Dr Sigman is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon providing comprehensive care to patients at Orthopaedic Surgical Associates of Lowell since 1996. Specialising in sports medicine, Dr Sigman has the skills and experience to diagnose and treat sports injuries and conditions affecting the knee and shoulder. In addition to his practice duties, he has served as the Team Physician for the US Ski Jump Team, has served for the last 20 years as the Team Physician at UMASS Lowell, and is the past Chief of Orthopaedics at Lowell General Hospital3.

      In addition to his qualifications, Dr Sigman is passionate about ending the opioid crisis by promoting the use of safe, non-addictive alternatives to opioids for pain management. He presented at TEDxDavenport 2023 with a topic entitled ‘Changing the Paradigm of Pain Management’. His talk emphasised the dire situation regarding opioid addiction, and how photobiomodulation, or laser therapy, can change the paradigm for pain management.

      In his speech, Dr Sigman posed an intriguing question: “What if we could harness the power of light to help us heal ourselves, so our bodies and ourselves could eliminate pain and inflammation?”

      The answer is yes, we can, with photobiomodulation.

      “One doctor at a time, they had fantastic results. They shared it. We have grown, and now doctors around the country are using laser to help treat their patients for pain management,” Dr Sigman said.

      “The CDC have included photobiomodulation in the list as an alternative recommendation for the treatment of pain.”

      Dr Sigman uses MLS® laser therapy for safe and effective pain management. He highlights that this is a revolutionary way to reduce opioid prescriptions and the negative consequences that come with opioid addiction.

      Watch Dr Sigman’s full TEDx talk here:

    • Breaking the Cycle: Opioid-Free Pain Management

      Man using MLS<sup srcset=® laser therapy to treat a patient’s shoulder.” width=”608″ height=”439″ />

      While opioids have their place in managing acute and severe pain, it is essential to explore alternatives that can mitigate the risks associated with long-term opioid use.  By embracing innovations like MLS® laser therapy, practitioners can reduce the cycle of opioid addiction.

      MLS® laser therapy harnesses the power of light to penetrate deep into cells to promote healing, reduce inflammation and minimise pain. It offers a safe, non-addictive alternative to opioids for pain management without side effects.  Practitioners around the world have used MLS® laser therapy for effective pain management and have raised the standard of care for their patients.

      Provide world-class pain management with MLS® laser therapy.  Book a demo of our laser to incorporate this revolutionary technology into your practice:

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