What is anodyne type therapy?
Before we discuss the question: Is anodyne type therapy safe for home use, let’s define “anodyne therapy.” Anodyne means pain relief. Therefore, anodyne type therapy is any therapy performed for pain relief. By definition then, anything from aspirin or ibuprofen to chiropractic therapy or even surgery can be anodyne type therapy. However, the term has been popularized to refer to the use of devices that deliver light (especially red and/or infrared light) for pain relief.
Therapeutic light sources
Whether anodyne type therapy with lights is safe for home use depends a lot on the type of light source that is used and whether the device delivers a significant increase in heat. Generally, anodyne type therapy devices use light emitting diodes (LEDs) or lasers for the therapeutic light.
Light emitting diodes
Many anodyne type therapy devices use LEDs. Many anodyne type therapy devices that use LEDs are manufactured specifically so that they do not require a separate person to deliver the pain relief therapy. Some anodyne type therapy devices that use LEDs generate heat. While heat can help with pain relief, some users have reported that these devices have caused burns. Whether the burns were caused by equipment malfunction or by user error, those devices may not be safe for home use.
One manufacturer of LED-based anodyne type therapy devices for home use makes products that do not cause a significant increase in skin temperature. Bioremedi Therapeutic Systems Inc. manufactures HealthLight Light Therapy systems. HealthLight’s devices provide some of the strongest therapeutic light available in an LED format, and yet cause a minimal temperature increase. In fact, the HealthLight Series 1 systems do not increase temperature at all. The HealthLight Series 2 systems have a four degree temperature increase. Because the devices have been engineered to prevent or minimize a temperature increase, HealthLight products are safe for home use. In fact, people with chronic pain, who may be confined to their home or those who wish to make fewer trips to clinics. could greatly benefit from the convenience and efficiency that HealthLight systems provide. Click here to read about decreasing the severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain with HealthLight. Click here to read about reducing pain with HealthLight for better physical therapy results.
Lasers
Lasers are used in anodyne type therapy devices to deliver a concentrated, precision beam of light to a targeted area. Lasers deliver significantly more therapeutic light than LEDs in the shortest amount of time. However, one thing to consider is that they also cover the smallest amount of area during treatments. Devices that use a laser are generally sold only to medical professionals, may cause significant eye damage unless appropriate precautions are taken, and are understandably quite expensive.