Current projects in neuropathic pain

R Chow, P.J. Armati

Chronic pain is common and costs $10 billion dollars per year in Australia. Drugs are widely used but have serious side effects. Patients actively seek non-drug treatments and laser acupuncture is one of the most commonly sought therapies for chronic pain. However, how laser works is not well understood.

We propose that laser therapy reduces pain by direct effects on nerves. This alters how pain signals are transmitted to the brain. We previously studied how infrared laser affected nerve cell cultures and found that laser temporarily interrupts the nerve transport system. This "monorail" system provides energy for all nerve functions. We propose that temporary interruption of this system by laser disrupts the conduction of pain signals along the nerve. This results in relief of pain for conditions such as arthritis and chronic pain.

Our future research will focus on identifying how different wavelengths of laser affect nerves, what are the optimal doses of laser and how this alters the acupunture and pain signalling pathways. Understanding the effects of different wavelengths of laser at different doses on nerves will increase the acceptance of this therapy as a cost-effective, safe, non-invasive form of treatment which will improve the quality of life in individual patients and reduce the economic burden of chronic pain in the community.

We will continue this work in 2008funded by an NHMRC grant.