Anodyne Therapy

Anodyne infrared light therapy offers a new, clinically proven treatment option for people who suffer from pain, stiffness, muscle spasms, circulation difficulties and wounds. 

“Anodyne” comes from Latin words meaning “without pain.” This safe, painless, noninvasive monochromatic light therapy modality has helped tens of thousands of people all over the world. Millions of treatments are now delivered each year by over 5,400 providers including Physical Therapy of Lake Charles in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Anodyne consists of rectangular pads, each about the size of your hand and each containing 60 light-emitting diodes. These pads are flexible so they can be shaped to match the contours of your body and their therapeutic light can penetrate more deeply into your tissues.

Anodyne therapy is particularly helpful for diabetic patients who suffer from diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy is actually nerve damage that causes symptoms such as:

Nerve damage in the feet from what’s called “peripheral” neuropathy can result in a loss of foot sensation, increasing your risk of foot problems. Injuries and sores on the feet may go unnoticed due to your numbness and lack of sensation.

 

Anodyne uses a combination of mild heat and infrared light. This photo-thermal energy has been shown to increase circulation in treated areas ten times more effectively than heat treatments alone. Using a diagnostic technology called scanning laser Doppler, Anodyne therapy increases circulation by a remarkable 400%.

 

Anodyne treatments also make it easier for patients to tolerate other physical therapy treatments and therapeutic exercise designed to promote balance, function, flexibility and strength. Anodyne therapy is FDA-approved for temporarily increasing circulation and reducing pain, stiffness and muscle spasm. So any condition that would benefit from pain reduction and increased circulation may benefit from the effects of this infrared therapy device.

 

A typical physical therapy protocol will require you to be treated for at least 30 minutes three times per week for approximately four weeks. Anodyne therapy may be combined with other skilled therapy interventions to improve function based on our assessment and your personal goals.

 

For severe pain from acute conditions, Anodyne treatments can be given up to three times per day. Protocols may be of shorter duration and lower frequency in some cases. 

Because no two patients are the same, your specific treatment program may use one, two or several other therapies and/or modalities to help relieve your pain and add flexibility and movement in your life. Please ask us for more information about Anodyne treatment as part of a comprehensive physical therapy program.

For more information or to schedule an appointment or referral, contact Physical Therapy of Lake Charles, Louisiana at 337-477-8823 today!