Zap pain with laser technology The wave of the future in pain management
By Mara Knaub - @YSMaraKnaub Photos by Mara Knaub
Patrick Farrell is helping Yumans zap their pain with laser therapy.
A Farrell, who has been helping people with their feet
since 1987 and Yuma residents since 1997, is using the MLS (Multiwave Locked System) Laser Therapy, a class 4 laser also known as cold laser therapy.
He notes that it’s the wave of the future in pain man-
agement. As far as Farrell knows, he’s the only doctor in Yuma
who is using the laser to treat feet. It’s already being used by at least one local chiropractor and it’s also used by scholastic athletic departments and professional ath- letic teams across the nation.
The technology has been approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of arthritis and bursitis pain, sports injuries, sprains and strains, occupational injuries, repetitive motion injuries, post- surgical swelling, tendonitis, wounds and bruising.
“Nothing comes close to what this does, how fast it can
cure things,” Farrell said. The laser technology has helped 75 percent of the
patients Farrell has treated with it since he started using it in August.
Anybody can benefit, Farrell said. It’s been particularly
useful in speeding up post-operative healing and treat- ing ulcers and wounds that have been unresponsive to other therapies, as well as tendonitis, neuritis and just about “any -itis,” he quipped.
According to the makers of the laser, Cutting Edge Laser Technologies, MLS Laser Therapy uses
Dr. Patrick Farrell dons goggles to protect his eyes during a demonstration of the MLS Laser Therapy. He uses the laser’s wand to treat smaller areas.
26 Health Connections
specific wavelengths of light “that have a strong anti- inflammatory, anti-edema effect on tissues that are exposed to the laser. Painful conditions accompanied by swelling or inflammation benefit from this technology.
“Photons of laser energy penetrate deeply into tissue
and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. As a result of exposure to the MLS Laser, the cells of tendons, ligaments and muscles repair themselves faster.
“As inflammation is reduced, pain subsides very quick-
ly. In simple terms, laser energy kick-starts the healing process, thereby speeding recovery.”
Farrell, whose office is located at 11551 S. Fortuna
Road, Suite A, pointed out that the alternative is physi- cal therapy.
With the laser, effects are cumulative, with improve-
ment noted as treatment proceeds. It usually takes one to 10 treatments, but pain relief usually comes after the first or second treatment. Treatments average 8 minutes, which are usually done during an office visit.
There are no side-effects and it will not burn nor disrupt
any of the tissues. “They can’t even feel it. The only thing most people feel is a tingling,” Farrell said.
The laser has computerized settings that can be set to
40 different levels of penetration. It has a robotic head, which is used for larger areas, and a wand for smaller areas.
The benefits are many, including no negative side-
effects, rapid results, speeds healing process and it gives patients the choice of having non-surgical treatment for some cases, according to Farrell.
January/February 2012
Foothills podiatrist is on the medical technology forefront when it comes to relieving and treating pain and inflammation and swelling in feet. Dr.
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