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Patient History
The patient is an 81-year-old male who was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy approximately eight years ago. His medical history includes bladder cancer, which was treated with both immunotherapy and surgery. He also reports intermittent low back and sciatic pain. Due to ongoing pain and lack of stability, his activity level has progressively declined, leading to a more sedentary lifestyle.
Treatment History
Previous interventions have included pain medications as well as footwear modifications including supportive shoes and orthotics, none of which provided meaningful relief. His pain has reached levels as high as 8/10, significantly limiting his activity and negatively impacting his overall health.
Current Treatment
A red light therapy wrap was applied to the plantar surfaces of both feet for 20 minutes daily. After two weeks of consistent use, the patient reported a reduction in pain to a steady level of approximately 3/10. In addition to decreased pain, he experienced noticeable improvements in activity levels, sleep quality, and overall mood.
Discussion
The patient reports a significant improvement in both pain and quality of life within a relatively short time frame. He has regained the ability to perform activities of daily living, such as going out to dinner and shopping with his wife. He has also been able to visit a casino, requiring only brief periods of rest.
Notably, he reports sleeping through the night without being awakened by foot pain for the first time in several years. Overall, he describes feeling happier and more optimistic about managing his neuropathy moving forward.
Summary of Improvements Over 3 Weeks
- Reduction in pain from 8/10 to 3/10
- Improved balance while standing
- Increased activity level, progressing from staying at home to participating in social outings
- Better sleep with decreased pain
- Improved mental outlook and confidence in managing symptoms
Conclusion
Red light therapy ca serve as an important component of a comprehensive treatment approach for managing symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy, contributing to both pain reduction and improved quality of life.
This article is the sixth in a series on the clinical value of red light therapy. Don't miss the first five articles in the series, linked below, and be sure to keep an eye on our articles homepage for upcoming articles in the series!
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