Current Trends in Pain Management: Low Level Laser Therapy (Cold Laser), Epidural Steroid Injection, Facet Joint Injection, Trigger Point Injection, Physical Therapy, Myofascial Release, Acupuncture, and Botox Therapy Low Level Laser Therapy (Cold Laser) What is low level laser therapy? There are two types of medical lasers: high power and low power. High power lasers are used to cut through tissue. Low-level lasers, on the other hand, are used to stimulate tissue repair through a process of bio-stimulation. The word "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The theory was first described by Albert Einstein (1879-1955) who paved the way for the development of the therapeutic laser. The first low level therapeutic laser was developed in 1962. By the end of the 1960's, Endre Mester in Hungary was reporting an improved healing of wounds through low level laser radiation. Since then, scientists and doctors around the world have been using laser light to treat conditions which can affect all age groups. Low level laser therapy is the application of red and near infrared light over injuries or wounds to improve soft tissue healing and relieve both acute and chronic pain. Low level therapy uses cold (sub-thermal) laser light energy to direct bio-stimulative light energy to the body's cells without injuring or damaging them in any way. The therapy is precise and accurate, offering safe and effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions. The energy range of low level laser light lies between 1 and 500 mW (milliwatts), while the energy range for surgical lasers lies between 3,000 and 10,000 mW Epidural Steroid Injection An epidural steroid injection is a procedure where cortisone (a synthetic substance) is added to your system. The adrenal gland normally secretes cortisone when your body is under stress. Natural cortisone is released into the blood stream and is relatively short-acting. More about Epidural Steroid Injection Facet Joint Injection A facet joint injection contains an anesthetic with cortisone (a long lasting steroid). This is injected into the facet joints. The facet joints are located in the back and neck at each vertebrae level. The injection of steroids reduces inflammation within the joints. When the swelling is reduced, joint pain and nerve irritation significantly improve or completely disappear.  More about Facet Joint Injection Botox Therapy Botox, a potent inhibitor for chronic muscular spasms, is an exciting new therapy in pain management.  The key to successful treatment with Botox is identifying the source of the pain.  Many people suffering from chronic neck and low back pain have a condition known as myofascial, or muscular pain.  This condition is characterized by muscles that are full of painful knots and trigger points.  Working at the chemical level, Botox helps relieve this painful condition by preventing the release of Acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) at the nerve-muscle junction.  This process blocks impulses to the small nerves in the muscle fibers.  These muscle fibers are responsible for contracting and creating the knots or trigger points so often found in those suffering from chronic pain. More about Botox Therapy Trigger Point Injections