Calf & Leg Pain Treatments With Class IV Laser
Cold Laser Calf Pain & Treatment
Your calf muscles are made up of two main muscles on each leg: the Gastrocnemius and the Soleus. The Calf as a whole is the group of muscles on the back (posterior) side of your lower leg.
Initial Treatment
For recent calf injuries the initial treatment is quite simple. The RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is usually a sure-fire way to ease the pain from the injury. Rest will allow the injury to heal itself while also eliminating the risk of further injuring the area. Ice will help to stop the inflammation and reduce pain temporarily. Compression helps to stop the swelling like ice does, which allows the injury to heal faster. Elevation is also a way of letting all the excess swelling and fluids drain out of the injured spot. NSAIDs may be taken in moderation as well. It is important to listen to your body in this situation. If it hurts, it may be wise to continue using the rice method for a few more days until the pain subsides. If the pain lingers, however, other treatment options should be considered.
Conservative Treatment
Although the above treatment may help for short-term injuries, it will not suffice for chronic calf injuries. For chronic calf injuries there are several different methods that will help to treat this problem, such as exercising to strengthen the injury, Graston Technique, Massage therapy, and the focus of the article; Cold Laser treatment.
Graston Technique
Graston Technique is done using small metal instruments to manually rub against the outside of the injured area, which helps to break up scar tissue and promote healing. For a more in depth article on this practice visit: http://www.robertsonfamilychiro.com/graston-technique-chandler-az.htm
Exercises and Stretches
Exercises and stretches will be done in order to strengthen the injured area and regain range of motion. For information on exercises visit: http://chiropractorchandler.com/exercises/knee-ankle-and-foot-exercises/
Massage therapy
Massage therapy is done using the hands to manually massage the injured area. This helps to break up scar tissue formation as well as speed up the healing process. Not to mention it relaxes the injured site too.
Cold Laser
What exactly is Cold Laser Treatment? Cold Laser Therapy is the process of using different lengths of light-waves in order to heal an injury. The ways that it helps to heal the injury:
- Accelerated tissue repair
- Cell growth, faster wound healing
- Reduced fibrous tissue formation
- Anti-inflammation
- Pain relief
- Increased blood flow
- Increased repair and regeneration
- Nerve function and repair
- Increased energy production
- Acupressure
- Trigger points.
But it is important to get the right type of laser treatment. Two types of treatment are Class III and IV lasers. Class IV are superior to treating calf injuries. One reason is because class IV provides more levels of therapy than Class III. In addition to Class IV it provides more variation on pulses per second. This variation allows the tissue to heal faster. Lastly, Class IV lasers is better than Class III the reason being the power difference. Most Class IV lasers have a big step-up in power allowing them more effectiveness in the healing process. For more on this process visit:
Combining exercises, stretches, physical therapy, massage therapy, soft tissue treatment, and Graston Technique with cold laser for shin splints and many other leg injuries.
Our Chandler Chiropractic and Physical Therapy clinic treats patients with a variety of muscle, tendon, joint, and ligament injuries. The clinic provides treatment for runners, tri-athletes, and weekend warriors in addition to common headache, neck, and back patients traditionally seen in Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy clinics. We work with all ages and abilities of the residents in Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Mesa, and Chandler AZ.