Thanks for the link Melody. He seems to be very new at this and only links a couple pubmed articles on the laser lights. They appear to be more research than clinical application, since it's lists animals and human "trials" in what looks to be a grant support article.

Then again, if he's still developing the site, more promising documentation may be revealed in the future.

I have no idea what the difference is. I've never researched anoydyne therapy. But with the LED lights, they put the pads on the various places and turn on the lights and WHO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!!

If I hear anything I'll update here.

I tried anodyne therapy for small fiber neuropathy. I had about 8 treatments. I thought I felt some relief after 3 or 4 treatments but I think it was just wishful thinking. I stopped after 8 because there was no difference. In fact I thought it got worse.

I'll be interested to know if this procedure is the same as anodyne. I even tried the "Rebuilder". It seems both these procedures that work to stimulate the nerves only brought more pain for me. I wonder if the lights would cause pain while stimulating the nerves. I'll look into this by way of his website, and try to get more info.

Glenn,

You were there, what's your thoughts on this? I'm interested in your opinion.

Medical light therapy is not new.

I seem to recall blue and green lights used by chiros years ago.

Then they stopped advertising that. Now one hears of cold lasers and such...but this guy doesn't seem to be using them?
My YouTube stalled at the 6 minute point and I didn't go back to it. Did he show the instrument? Pads? Not like the cold lasers I've seen pics of, which are like a thick long pen.

I remember a friend of mine, sharing her light device her masseuse loaned her. I tried it on my knee, back when I had that big swelling, etc, and it made my pain worse. I was not impressed. This was about 10 yrs ago.

Here is an example I just found: being used in Europe.

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...nEERHIFmqEkrwA

Bioptron light therapy.

--and I did bring up the similarity to anodyne therapy; I suspect the mechanisms are much the same.

I suspect that the mechanism is primarily ischemic/circulatory and involves the nitric oxide pathways. The laser light energy (red light emitting diodes are typcially used in anodyne therapy) provides additional enery for electron excitation and production of vasodilating substances, and with improved circulation, more nutrients and oxygen can get to damaged nerves, and more waste products out. I would also suspect that the proposed reduction in inflammation would help with such transport and minimize the damage being done to nerves.

Accordingly, I would speculate this would be most effective in those who neuropathy ultimately has an ischemic/circulatory basis. Of course, that is a lot of them--the mechanism in diabetic neuropathy is to a great extent circulatory deficiency, a number of autoimmune neuropathies associated with collagen/vascular breakdown also fall into this category, etc. It might also help with people experiencing "double crush phenomenon"--the situation in which actual spatial compression (such as in the carpal and tarsal tunnel regions, or a the back of the knee, to name three spots that are prone to compression) exacerbates the effects of other more systemic neuropathy causes and results in symptoms greater than the sum of the contributing parts. (I also talked about this at the meeting.) If reduced inflammation could result in nerves being less compressed symptoms might improve.

I'd guess this would also be less effective for those whose neuropathy stems from nutritional deficiency, actual infectious pathogen invasion of nerve (i.e, HIV infection, cytomegaloviral infection) or toxic issues--things that actually fray apart the axons.

Disregard my question. I didn't see the replies about anodyne until after I sent my question. Thanks.

I have read about anodyne therapy too. I'd like to know more. Is this guy doing the same thing or is it something different? Has anyone here had positive results with anodyne therapy?

This may be a stupid question, but I'll ask anyway.

For neuropathies which stem from ischemic/circulatory problems, wouldn't long acting nitrates and/or calcium channel blockers be just as effective? Without the 20 visit, $2400 price tag.

Well, good question.

I think when one gets down to the capillary level...there is no way to dilate that small. This is why viscosity of the blood becomes important, in the bone marrow disorders that pump out high length chain proteins which clog up the serum.

High viscosity also comes from high sugar intake, and high fat meals. (this has been tested in studies).

Also when the blood cells enlarge as in macrocytic anemias, the cells have trouble passing thru the tiny capillaries.

Most of the spaces in those tiny capillaries are the thickness of one normal red blood cell. Those vessels do not have smooth muscle. I believe that stops at the arteriole level.

So perhaps the light works at this very tiny level... and I am being generous here with the "perhaps".

Did anyone ask what happens if this treatment or has it made anyone worse?Success rate and how many people with PN have done this?
Sorry I am very skeptical. All the doctors who have these special treatments seem to act like sales people. Notice how personable they are and they relate the treatment to their loved one or themselves. Very different then the typical neurologist.