lengths, light can speed the healing process

GETTING THE BEST FROM YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
ll Pain?Liuhtl|p
AT VERY SPECIFIC WAVELENGTHS, LIGHT CAN SPEED
THE HEALING PROCESS
BY NEIL WOLKODOFF
n
LL ITTAKESis onemechanically
Flunsound
golf swing to causemuscle
pain or injury. In go[ where pain management and healing are exffemely important,
sine triphosphate),the energy compound
device that will help with those achesand
light therapy has become popular as a drug-
readily available to cells.
pains from playing golf) Myriad low-cost
free alternative to reduce pain and speed
healing.
Research has shown that light therapy
improves inflammatory conditions such as
home devices have hit the market, and have
just as quickly been yanked becauseofnon-
tendonitis, speedingthe healing processfor
compliance with FederalDrug
have started using Jight therapy becauseit
wounds and tissue,and controlling the pain
Administration (FDA) rules; the FDA gov-
appearsthat light, in certain wavelengths,
associatedwith inflammation. In addition,
erns any device that emits light or energy.
will reduce pain and speedtissuehealing.
light ofthis nature enhancescirculation, also
The application of light is thought to initi-
important for both pain management and
low end of the cost scaleis the LumiWave
ate a seriesof enzymatic reactionsand bio-
healing.The key is for the light to be of the
electric events that srimulate the natural
right wavelength and applied for the proper
an infiared device
@iocaresystems.com),
with a transformer, control and four iight-
healing processat the cellular level.The
ncrinrl
emitting pads.This device,which has FDA
Doctors and physical therapistsrecentiy
light is actually converted to AIP (adenotuww. rclo ra d o av i dgo lfer. com
nftimc
So where do you get a light-therapy
Among the approved products on the
clearancefor over-the-counter applications,
September2005
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PILA:TES
r,rses
light emitting diodes (LEDs) to deliver
theraper,rticenergy through the skin to the
deep tissue.It wont give you the same
application 1eve1
you d get fronr a medical
professional,yet it's a therapy you can apply
yourself and even use when traveling.This
device is designedto be applied twice per
day,for three to six minutes per session,and
retailsfor $499.
On the other end of the scaleis the
Solaris (dynanonics.comlsolaris),r,vhich
provides electrical stimulation, ultrasound
and laserlight therapy modalities in one
r"rnit.Thisis a medical unit that requires a
physician'sprescription to acquire and use it
for treatment, and knowledge of how to
apply the different therapies.At more rhan
$4,000, it's no bar-gain,but it could be well
worth it if you have significant need.
Recendy,Vijay Singh purchaseda Solari
nultifunction laserunit, with the prescrip-
IN
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tion of a physician,to help with pain relief
and healing fiom his rigorotis pr-actice
schedule.For those who have a real need
for a unit of this level, it does have some
unique featuresthat have made it a popular
choice with medical clinicians.For exam-
On the day of your colonoscopy,
the LONGESTobject you
shouldcontend with.,,
..,isyour driver.
Consider VirtualColonoscopy.
A highly accurate advance in the
detection of significant polyps and colon
cancer, EBT colonography (virtual)is
ideal for those who have been putting off
conventionaltesting.
The advantages are clear: An easier
prep. NO scopes, NO sedation,NO
risks and an immediate return to normal
activity.Colorado Heaft and Body
lmaging uses top rated 3D workstations
and the lower radiation,FDA-approved
ultrafast EBT scanner - you could even
screen your heart, lungs, abdomen and
bones at the same time.
Finally,there s an easierway to screenVirlualColonoscopy-a quick, complete
exam that doesn't involvethe insertionof
a 5' scope.
Now it's your choice-make that 1Oam
tee time or hang out in a recoveryroom!
ple, the XP option has an 8x10-inch pad
that can treat the entire lower back in just
4-7 minutes.In one universiryresearch
study,the Solaris unit with laserlight therapy w.rsdemon\trJredro greldy redut c the
level of Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness
(DOMS), which can persistup to 48 hours
after strenuousexercise.
So how do you know iflight therapy is
right for you? If your golf game and fitness
scheduleleaveyou with chronicpain.cspccielly resultingfrorrrr reocculring injury.
then you are a candidate.Thereisjust so
much aspirin and ibuprofen you can take
without risking liver damage,and opiatebasedpainkillers are potentially addictive.
Like any othcr rpplicatron.
Lighrther.rpy
should not be a substitutefor proper equipment, instruction, swing mechanicsor a regular Etnessprogrem.Light thcrrpy.ilapprovedby the FDA for specificuse by a
nrrnuftcrurcr.
showsgre.rtprorrrise.
May the light be with you. EE
Contributingeditur Neil Wolkodoff Ph.D., trahts
proJessional
dnd amateurgol:fers.
Reachhim at
physicalgolf,com.
72 COLOI\AI)O
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