The mechanism of action underlying neuropathic pain relief associated with MIRE may be due, in part, to a combination of topical heat and an increased local release of nitric oxide that has been reported using this wavelength (890nm) of near infrared light energy. The source of released nitric oxide may be endothelial cells or red blood cells, or both. Clinical Research has linked nitric oxide with:
Nitric oxide production is compromised in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. If near infrared light is able to favorably alter local nitric oxide availability in the diabetic patient, this may improve microcirculation via an alteration of cGMP-mediated vasodilation at the site of treatment. Better blood flow may, in part, explain the symptomatic decrease in pain these patients.
Nitric oxide also appears to be able to mitigate pain via a mechanism similar to morphine, namely via nitric oxide mediated production of cGMP and phosphorylation of ATP-dependent potassium channel activity. There may be a significant analgesic effect of MIRE if local concentrations of nitric oxide are increased. To review more information about nitric oxide, and its role in health and diabetes - please click on the links below.
Part 1 - Discovery of NO, Nobel Prize, Relevance in Vasodilation Part 2 - Isoforms of Nitric Oxide Synthase Part 3 - Nitric Oxide Metabolism in Diabetic Patients Part 4 - How Nitric Oxide Causes Vasodilation Part 5 - Nitric Oxide and Neurotransmission Part 7 - Nitric Oxide and Relief of Pain Part 8 - Nitric Oxide (NO) and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) Part 9 - Now Infrared Light May Increase Local NO and Vasodilation Part 10 - The Current Science and Benefit of Nitric Oxide and Diabetes
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Circulation increases to various parts of the body were measured by a Moor Scanning Laser Doppler after a 20 - 30 minute Anodyne® Therapy treatments.
On the pictures below, the increases in circulation are shown in vivid colors. The percentage change was determined by changes in blood flux for each subject - pre and post Anodyne® Therapy Treatment. |
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The following series of images compares Anodyne® Therapy treatments (infrared + topical heat) to treatment with a topical heating pad. Subjects were tested for 35 minutes, and then their circulation was measured 4 hours POST treatment. As you can see, Subject #1 (Anodyne) still had a blood flux increase of 164% 4 hours post treatment, and Subject #2 had a 45% decrease in blood flux after only 2 hours post treatment!
Anodyne® Therapy Systems vs. Heating Pad
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