Sanfilippo Family Chiropractic

06/21/2023

INFRARED LIGHT TMJ THERAPY

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR TMJ PAIN
Dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can lead to pain, improper chewing, jaw stiffness, tooth damage, and more. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, between 11 and 12 million Americans suffer from the symptoms associated with a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) yet only about half seek treatment.

We offer a variety of treatments and therapies that can reduce TMJ pain and improve your quality of life. Our Infrared Light Therapy for TMJ discomfort can offer relief in as little as 10 minutes. We use an FDA Class II medical device whose technology was developed by NASA.

Contact our office to learn more about Infrared Light TMJ Therapy. Call (732) 933-9111 to schedule an appointment.

CAUSES OF TMJ DYSFUNCTION
The exact cause of an individual’s temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is often difficult to diagnose. In some cases, multiple factors can contribute to the symptoms. The latest research suggests a combination of genetics and life stressors is often to blame. TMD is more common in women than in men.
Possible causes of TMJ pain include the following:
• Stress
• Bruxism (Clenching/Grinding)
• Trauma
• Malocclusion (Overbite)
• Estrogen
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune Issues

No matter the root causes of your TMD, Infrared Light Therapy may reduce your pain and other TMJ-related symptoms.

HOW INFRARED LIGHT TMJ THERAPY WORKS
Mitochondria, the “power generators” of your cells, soak up infrared light, which helps make more energy (ATP). This increased energy helps the cells repair themselves and become healthier. Healing in skin and muscle tissue is stimulated.
Anyone who suffers from TMJ discomfort or experiences clicking and jaw tenderness may enjoy the benefits and comfort from this healing therapy.

BENEFITS OF INFRARED LIGHT TMJ THERAPY
Not all light is created equal. Infrared Light TMJ Therapy (810-880 nm) penetrates the body deeper than red light therapy, going into the soft tissues, muscles, joints, tendons, teeth, gums, and bones.
Your eyes will not see this light, but your body will feel the light as heat. There are no damaging UV rays. Your skill will not be burned.
There are many benefits of Infrared Light TMJ Therapy for TMD:
• Accelerates cellular repair
• Decreases inflammation
• Reduces joint pain
• Stimulates blood circulation (for delivery of protein and oxygen essential for recovery and healing)
• This infrared LED light has a wavelength between 610-850 nm and penetrates deep within the skin…all the way down to the hypodermis layer

People with TMD experience less pain, clicking, and jaw tenderness after infrared LED light treatments.

QUICK IMPACT, LASTING EFFECTS OF INFRARED LIGHT TMJ THERAPY
Infrared Light TMJ Therapy can reduce pain associated with TMJ dysfunction in as little as 10 minutes, and the effects can last several months from the last time you were treated.
A peer-reviewed medical journal published the results of a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. The subjects that received the light therapy around the masticatory muscles (chewing muscles) and points around the TMJ experienced decreased pain intensity after a single treatment.
The treatment is not a cure. Patients will need to have follow-up sessions depending on their response to the initial treatment.
How often an individual needs treatment depends on the severity of their disorder. This safe therapy can be done as often as needed.

REDUCE YOUR TMJ PAIN WITH INFRARED LIGHT THERAPY
If you live in the Red Bank area and have TMD-related jaw or face pain, headaches, or other symptoms, contact us today.
Even those who have been living with chronic TMJ pain for years may enjoy reduced symptoms through Infrared Light TMJ Therapy.

06/14/2023

Coming soon to Sanfilippo Family Chiropractic:

Photobiomodu-lation (PBM) is a treatment method based on research findings showing that irradiation with certain wavelengths of red or near-infrared light has been shown to produce a range of physiological effects in cells, tissues, animals and humans.”

Red light therapy for pain
The idea behind red light therapy for pain is that infrared light penetrates the skin without cutting it. There is evidence that infrared light stimulates mitochondrial functioning. The mitochondria is the part of the cell that stimulates healing and produces protein and collagen.

Recent research has shown that this type of therapy can work to help reduce inflammation. A triple-blind study of mice has shown that neuropathic pain due to inflammation was significantly decreased with the use of red light therapy.

Red light therapy for osteoarthritis
This can be especially powerful for patients suffering from pain due to inflammatory conditions like knee osteoarthritis (OA). A recent study comparing the effects of low intensity light therapy and high intensity light therapy (HILT) found that both were effective at decreasing pain and increasing function when combined with exercise (with HILT being slightly more effective).

Red light therapy for neck pain
High intensity laser therapy has also been proven effective at relieving chronic neck pain. A double-blind, randomized controlled study of 60 chronic neck pain patients found that high intensity light therapy increased range of motion, decreased pain, and improved functionality over six weeks when compared to placebo laser therapy. Both groups also used exercise in their treatments.

Red light therapy for back pain
Yet another study demonstrated that portable infrared therapy packs strapped to the back of the waist were effective at reducing chronic lower back pain. These results surpassed the pain reduction felt by the placebo group. This study utilized high intensity light therapy at wavelengths between 800 and 1200 nm over seven weeks.
Low intensity light therapy also seems to increase blood flow to the skin, an action that can decrease healing times for cutaneous injuries or wounds.

How is red light therapy for pain treatment administered?
Skin should be clean and free from soaps or lotions. The area to be treated will be exposed.
The Doctor will administer the laser with a hand-held device. The laser will be held on the treatment area anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes.
Each treatment plan is very individualized to each patient and their condition. Patients will most likely not see results in the first few treatments. The doctor may schedule treatments every few days for several weeks, or they may decide that once a week will be the best plan.

05/21/2022

01/28/2022

This is a good bedtime story. 😴

01/09/2022

Heather has a few massage spots open tomorrow from 1130 on. $90/1.5 hours $60/hour $35/half. Pm me if you are interested.

08/14/2021

https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/chiropractic-care/8-things-that-can-be-treated-by-a-chiropractor?fbclid=IwAR2FK7-EMc2da8MPhiA8FZNqGEQMHLZftLEaVnWXCtPZe2u7uwWJrm-cxF0

You may be surprised to learn chiropractors treat much more than back pain. Find out what these spine experts can do.

04/04/2021

Happy Easter!

02/02/2021

We are back in the office tomorrow morning at 9AM. For now, here are
some hints and tips for shoveling.

When the driveway and walkways are coated in a thick blanket of snow, it is time to get a shovel out for what some consider to be a dreaded chore. But before you tackle the first snowfall of the season, take some time to read these safety snow shoveling tips to help avoid any potential injuries.

Snow shoveling can lead to a number of health risks for many people, from back injuries to heart attacks. The mix of cold temperatures and physical exertion increases the workload on the heart,¹ which may increase the risk of a heart attack for some. According to the American Heart Association, even walking through heavy, wet snow can place strain on your heart.

The following tips can help keep you safer when you set out to shovel:

Warm up. Warm your muscles before heading out to shovel by doing some light movements, such as bending side to side or walking in place.
Push rather than lift. Pushing the snow with the shovel instead of lifting can help reduce the strain on your body. When lifting snow, bend your knees and use your legs when possible.
Choose your shovel wisely. Ergonomically-designed shovels can help reduce the amount of bending you have to do.
Lighten your load. Consider using a lighter-weight plastic shovel instead of a metal one to help decrease the weight being lifted.
Hit the pause button. Pace yourself and be sure to take frequent breaks. Consider taking a break after 20 to 30 minutes of shoveling, especially when the snow is wet.
Consider multiple trips. Consider shoveling periodically throughout the storm to avoid having to move large amounts of snow at once.
Keep up with snowfall. Try to shovel snow shortly after it falls, when it is lighter and fluffier. The longer snow stays on the ground, the wetter it can become. Wet snow is heavier and harder to move.
Wear layers. Dress in layers and remove them as you get warm to help maintain a comfortable body temperature.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while shoveling.
A national study² found that the most common shoveling-related injuries were to the lower back. Cardiac-related injuries account for only 7% of all injuries, but they were the most serious in nature. If you do not exercise on a regular basis, are middle-aged or older, or have any health conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, you should check with your doctor before doing any strenuous shoveling. Consider using a snow blower or snow removal service as an alternative means of snow removal.

Snow and Ice Removal Requirements

Snow and ice not only pose a potential risk to you but also to others. As a property owner, you are responsible for making a reasonable effort to keep public walking areas around your property clear of snow and ice. Pre-treating your walkways and other paved surfaces with an anti-icing product can help make snow and ice removal easier.

Consider stocking up on ice melt in advance, as it sometimes sells out during long winters. You can store unused ice melt in an airtight container, out of reach from children and pets. Be aware that rock salt can damage brick, stone, asphalt and concrete walkways.

Be sure to check your local codes and ordinances regarding snow and ice removal requirements.

Sources:
¹ American Heart Association, http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/Shoveling-Snow-Health-Hazards_UCM_426562_Article.jsp
² Nationwide Children's, http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/news-room-articles/new-national-study-finds-11500-emergency-department-visits-nearly-100-deaths-related-to-snow-shoveling-each-year?contentid=86424