Its neither a drug nor a wellness regimenits a pulsing beam of light.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes muscle and joint pain all over the body.
It affects about 2% of people in the United States.
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Scientists dont yet know a cause or cure for the condition.
Existing medications for fibromyalgia can be relatively ineffective and come withserious side effects.
This is a group [of patients] that has never had options.
The advice has been, go exercise, go take this drug, or do nothing.
FibroLux isnt a cure for fibromyalgia.
But it could be a useful additional tool for patients who are already using other treatments.
The rig is safe for at-home use or as part of a physical therapy visit.
Fibromyalgia patients may have up to 18 tender points.
The laser therapy targets those points.
The approach also cut patients overall pain ratings by more than half.
A fifth of the study participants experienced mild side effects, nearly on par with the placebo group.
The most common side effect was pain and itching on the skin.
After an injury, nitric oxide can build up in cells to help reduce the pain response.
But sometimes it clogs the cells and prevents them from creating energy.
The so-called super pulsed laser multi-wavelength emitter can penetrate the skin and knock nitric oxide out of the cells.
Doing so quickens the healing process, promotes tissue regeneration, and relieves pain and inflammation.
Multi Radiance Medical has used this technology in other devices aimed at treating muscle pain.
We had to go to the FDA and convince them that were doing something different here.
Were not just masking their pain, were impacting the neurological function in a different way, Johnson said.
Pair It With Exercise
Providers often recommend fibromyalgia patients exercise as often as they can.
Aerobic exercise increases endorphins, improves sleep, and improves well-being.
But fibromyalgia patients may associate exercise with stiffness and muscle pain.
Improving muscle recovery could encourage patients to exercise more frequently.
Multi Radiance Medical has developed other laser therapy products to reduce muscle pain and fatigue from exercise.
Normally when you exercise, you may develop that no pain no gain attitude.
We are saying, well, we can do the gain with no pain, Johnson said.
They found that pairing light therapy with exercise made the results even better.
It was kind of like a double whammy, if you will.
Not only can we help control their pain, but we were also able to help them exercise better.
In the meantime, however, he would prescribe the gear if a patient felt compelled to try it.
It could supplement a regimen of medication, exercise, massage, and other therapies.
Patients could also receive the treatment as part of a physical therapy regimen.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fibromyalgia.
2017;44(10):1499-1506. doi:10.3899/jrheum.170098
