Fibromyalgia Cold Laser Therapy Treatment

Hi Fibro and CFS Friends,

Dr. Mike is back with an outstanding article explaining the use of Cold Therapy Treatment for Fibromyalgia trigger points!  Thank you Dr. Mike!  We sincerely appreciate your Fibromyalgia articles. You certainly are a caring leading edge physcian!

Fibro Tender Points and Cold Laser Therapy

As a fibromyalgia sufferer, you know how painful fibromyalgia tender points can be.  As a treating fibromyalgia physician, I can tell you that administering to fibromyalgia tender points can be quite challenging.  In my private practice, one of the most successful “weapons” for treating fibromyalgia tender points in some FMS sufferers is what is called; cold laser therapy or low light laser therapy (LLLT).  This type of therapy helps reduce pain and inflammation in the tender points and the surrounding area.

Low light laser therapy (specifically the one I use) is non-thermal.  Non-thermal means it does not produce heat (thus the name, cold laser).  The light penetrates through the skin into the tender point tissue.  This penetration of the light helps speed up cellular repair by increasing the lymphatic and vascular systems.  By increasing the vascular system, more blood is brought to the area, which promotes more oxygen to the area and more nutrients to nourish the muscles.  Often times, this leads to a reduction in pain.

When the laser (which looks like a small flashlight) is applied, the patient typically feels nothing, making this type of therapy very comfortable.  This type of treatment does not help in every situation but a high percentage of fibro sufferers get at least some relief.  Seeing that cold laser therapy or LLLT is non-invasive and comfortable over the tender points, it is definitely worth trying. 

Dr. Mike Swierczynski, DC, MS

Readers: Please ask your questions and/or add suggestions regarding this treatment in the comments section of this blog.