If you grew up watching Star Wars or Star Trek, you may remember when personnel got injured, they would lay down on a table while a handheld laser device would scan their body for injuries which would then be used to heal the injured area. Well, since 2002, fiction has met up with reality when Erchonia Corporation (the leader in medical laser devices) was granted FDA clearance to use lasers for acute and chronic neck and shoulder pain.

Cold Laser Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue and has been scientifically proven to help accelerate the healing process. It can be used on patients who suffer from a variety of acute and chronic conditions in order to help eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasms and increase functionality.

In order for Erchonia Corporation to be the only FDA cleared laser for neck and shoulder pain their study had to meet very specific criteria:

• Pain greater than 50 on a scale of 1 to 100
• Patient had to have had the pain longer than 30 days
• No pharmaceutical intervention for 30 days prior to and during the study
• No over the counter medication for 48 hours prior to the study
• Range of Motion measured using duel inclinometers, pre and post
• Motor Strength testing (Hoppenfeld) of C-5 to T-1

This strict study was completed January 2002. The results proved outstanding pain reduction, and increased muscle strength and range of motion. The overwhelming results were presented to the FDA in a 510(k) submission that led to the first low-level laser given market clearance by the FDA, awarded January 17, 2002. Not only did the Erchonia Corporation studies garner the first low-level laser indication for use, the Erchonia laser device initiated the need for the FDA to create a new regulatory category, NHN Biostimulation lasers.

Since this initial study in 2002, Erchonia Corporation has gone on to provide scientific evidence for the benefit of laser therapy in numerous other conditions from low back pain and heel pain to fat lipolysis and body contouring. Studies are showing significant improvement in patients’ symptoms from as few as 1 treatment to 3-6 treatments.

As you may be aware, at Stanly Wellness Center, because we pride ourselves on providing cutting edge therapy to our patients and the community, we have invested in one of these lasers. I am excited to announce that having personally been suffering with “Golfers Elbow” for the past 2 months, after only 2 treatments, my pain is 80% improved and my return to exercise has also significantly improved. I am excited to see what results we can achieve with our current patients and future new patients who are in desperate need for a safe alternative to drugs and surgeries.

At Stanly Wellness Center, we are eager and ready to help you and your families achieve the best health possible. If you are looking for help with your health or you know of someone who is suffering with poor health, call the office of Stanly Wellness Center at 980-355-7600 and schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with Dr. Patrick Ess to see how he can help. We specialize in nutrition, detoxification and neurological correction. You can also refer to our website at www.AskDrPatrick.com for more information. We accept most major health insurances including BCBS, Aetna, Humana, and Medicare.

Stanly Wellness Center is located right on Main St (24/27) in Locust and is situated next door to the Locust Post Office and the Dollar General across the street from the Wells Fargo Bank.