For the past few years, Dr. Michael J. Bartell, DC, has successfully used low-level laser light therapy, along with traditional adjustment techniques, to treat patients with neuromuscular and muscular-skeletal conditions. The low-level light laser he uses facilitates biostimulation, which involves healing injuries at the cellular level at a significantly faster rate, as well as complementing the application of manual chiropractic techniques to heal a variety of acute and chronic conditions.

The historical value of medicinal light therapy can be traced to Europe, where it has been used since the late 1800s in Germany, Russia, Italy and France. During the 1940s, the United States committed to researching laser technology, and medical fields began to understand its therapeutic value sometime in the 1960s. Due to stringent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, it took nearly 50 years for them to approve the use of low-level laser therapy on humans.

Bartell uses equipment developed by Erchonia, a laser technology company that holds five of the seven laser technology patents and was the first to garner FDA clearance. Twice as strong as the more familiar ultrasound therapy that uses warming 300 to 400 nanometer-length sound waves, low-level light laser therapy uses 600 to 900 nanometers of stimulation to facilitate healing in half the amount of time as ultrasound. There are no messy application gels required to treat with laser.

Patients seeking relief from a variety of conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, acute and chronic lower back and neck pain migraine conditions, myofascial pain syndromes, localized extremity joint strains and sprains, such as tennis elbow, meniscus knee injuries, wrist and ankle swelling, restricted ranges of motion, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis can benefit from laser therapy. Bartell contends the group that responds the  quickest to laser therapy is young athletes that see him for muscle strains and ligament sprains. “Laser is the fastest vehicle to healing,” he says. Treatments are also useful for octogenarians that are managing chronic issues such as sciatica and arthritic conditions brought on by age.

Bartell is not afraid to use a variety of adjunctive therapies to get positive results with his patients. In fact, throughout 37 years of practicing chiropractic care, he has implemented several new technologies and techniques after further study warranted their benefit to patients. “With every patient, we emphasize a combination of proper movement and balance, exercise physiology, neuromuscular reeducation, nutrition and chiropractic care to enjoy a healthy, pain-free life,” he says.

Dr. Michael J. Bartell practices at the Bartell Center, located at 1001 S. Market St., in Mechanicsburg. To schedule an appointment, call 717-697-8030 or visit Bartell-Healthcare.com.