Neurosurgeons give microdiscectomy a 95-98% success rate; however when success is defined as returning to their previous occupations without pain medications, the overall success rate plummets to 29%.  Among spinal surgery patients, one out of every four patients is dissatisfied with their surgery two years post-op.  (Surg Neuol 1998 Mar; 49(3): 263-7)

Dr. Belanger, a skilled surgeon, recognizes that even “successful” surgeries might require follow-up surgery in the future.  “Revision surgery,” as it is called, is according to him also “highly likely to be ‘successful.’” 

At this low point I remembered a column I’d written about Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT). This treatment had eased the pain of patients who were suffering from a number of acute and chronic painful conditions.

So I called Dr. Kahn, founder of Meditech, in Toronto. Since I could not walk Dr. Denis Potosky, a Russian orthopedic surgeon, now working as a therapist with Dr. Kahn treated me with LILT at my home for several days. The first few treatments provided no significant relief. But within a week I was able to drive to the clinic and four weeks later I was once again pain free in my office.

Researching and writing an article about LILT is one thing. Being a grateful patient who’d been spared a major surgical operation prompted further inquiry. At this point I’d also become a very curious patient, wondering how light therapy could result in such a dramatic relief of pain.

Studies at the University of London, England and other research centers show that it’s important to decrease the duration of acute inflammation. This results in less scar tissue and chronic pain. LILT accomplishes this by giving a jump-start to the body’s natural healing process. It delivers energy to the muscles and joints that’s transformed into biochemical energy. The result is increased blood supply to the injured area, decreased swelling and accelerated healing time.