Infrared light- (Anodyne Therapy)

[Old Man]

Fred22:

Yes, it works great for lower back pain. How it works, have no clue. The device is a system of some form of natural rocks that are embedded in a package that is flexible and fits nicely around ones back, arm, chest or most any place on the body it would be needed.

There is no "light" as such, but the heat is generated inside the package somehow. I don't think that it would work on Peyronies Disease symptoms though as it would be difficult to form fit in the groin area. It could be laid across ones groin area if the penis was somehow held up above the legs so that it would come in contact with the stones area of the device.

Sorry that I have no definitive answer for you.

Regards, Old Man

[Fred22]

mike67:

Know what you mean about this pain! Been there and done that for years now. There seems to be no valid treatment for it. Have had over 20 epidurals for it with no relief. Have developed a bending/flexing routine that does the most good. Seems like the lumbar region of the lower back being out of sorts is the reason for most of this type of pain.

Pain tablets including Lortab 7.5 and above do nothing for it, so exercise seems to be the best treatment for it.

Old Man

Old Man,

You mentioned in a post several months ago that you had received an infrared device from the Fitzz Company that was giving your back pain some relief.  At the time you seemed rather hopeful.  I assume that this didn't turn out to be a permanent solution? 
Fred

[Fred22]

i found this on the german amazon site: http://www.amazon.de/prorelax-39513-Intensiv-Massage-Rotlichtw%C3%A4rme/dp/B003RITIKU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=drugstore&qid=1279044144&sr=8-10

its cheaper than the other devices posted in this thread but i don't know if it is worth the money.

It says "red light", but does that mean infrared?

Fred

[Old Man]

mike67:

Know what you mean about this pain! Been there and done that for years now. There seems to be no valid treatment for it. Have had over 20 epidurals for it with no relief. Have developed a bending/flexing routine that does the most good. Seems like the lumbar region of the lower back being out of sorts is the reason for most of this type of pain.

Pain tablets including Lortab 7.5 and above do nothing for it, so exercise seems to be the best treatment for it.

Old Man

[mike67]

As if I don't have enough to think about with Peyronies , I have a bad case of Sciatica since Saturday. Up til then it was just another ailment I had heard about but didn't really know how it affected your body. I do now !! Talk about constant pain - from the hip to the foot. Only one side of the body at a time - thankfully. A trip to my Y club this AM for a bout in the pool then a long , hot soak in the Whirlpool. It really took away the pain but it has returned later today. I will do the same routine tomorrow morning.
Which brings me to this Infrared Light . I would be interested to see how it , if it , does anything to help our Peyronie's Disease symptoms.
And - slightly off topic - would it help aleviate the pain of Sciatica as well ? Just in case anyone is not aware - the Sciatica nerve is in your hip and runs down the leg to your foot.

[luka-brasi]

i found this on the german amazon site: http://www.amazon.de/prorelax-39513-Intensiv-Massage-Rotlichtw%C3%A4rme/dp/B003RITIKU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=drugstore&qid=1279044144&sr=8-10

its cheaper than the other devices posted in this thread but i don't know if it is worth the money.

[Thumper]

Has any one attempted this yet?

[George999]

Actually, a few hundred dollars is a bargain for something that provides relief.  Even if you get something intending to use if for Peyronie's and it doesn't work, but works extremely well for some other health issue, it is still a bargain.  I look forward to additional reports like Old Man's from guys trying these devices.  - George

[Old Man]

Note to all:

I now have acquired an infrared heating pad. It has worked very well for use with my lower back problems in that with about 15 minutes of using it, the pain is reduced to almost nothing. It lasts for over 12 hours before coming back. Have had back surgery way back in 1968 and have had chronic lower back pain ever since with no lasting relief, so this has become a plus in that department!!!!

It is one of types that have exotic stones that are round shaped in an oblong pattern. The heat is applied to them through the heating elements contained in a 12 x 18 pad that has a control for the amount of heat, time limit and can be adjusted to ones personal feelings, etc.

Since my Peyronies Disease is under control and I don't have any symptoms, I cannot give it a try for that. However, I will be using it in the groin area to observe if any improvements in erections and/or size changes. Have been told by the makers of it that it can help with both ED and Peyronies Disease. However, since my ED has been with me since the age of 55, there probably will not be much improvement there. (The VED has "cured" that problem for me though)

Will give updates on how the pad works for me so that others can have the benefit, etc.

Old Man

[slowandsteady]

This looks VERY interesting to me, I really think it just might be useful, but   ->$$$$$$$

The link you posted is for an elbow strap for $300. There is also a wrist strap for $249. I guess what you'd care about is the number of diodes; they might answer that question if they were contacted. I checked but couldn't find a penis strap.

Infrared light to increase blood circulation is an interesting therapy. I get trigger points in my back. I wonder if there is any connection with Peyronies Disease, since both are connective tissue issues that are worsened by poor circulation to the affected areas.

This might make for a good DIY project too.

[Fred22]

I found a web site that sells a home system. The prices vary from $597 to $1399. The Freedom 300 Model at $597 should be adequate.

If you decide to get it, keep us posted.  This sounds interesting to me.

Fred

[hb]

I found a web site that sells a home system. The prices vary from $597 to $1399. The Freedom 300 Model at $597 should be adequate.

[George999]

I agree with George if the price is not listed I probably can't afford it.

Rockwall

Actually, those $$$$$$$ are a hidden link to the price ...  - George

[rockwall]

In the Anodyne home model procedure manual it states "Anodyne is much easier to use than earlier forms of infrared and,
unlike traditional infrared (which can be placed no closer than
twelve inches from the skin without burns), Anodyne is designed
to be placed in direct contact with the skin without serious risk
of burns, if used properly in accordance with the Instructions
for Use."
Traditional infrared I would assume to be a heat lamp. I purchased mine at Home depot for about $25. Fairly aggressive daily treatment for 30-40 min per session on both my hand and penis for 3-weeks has not apparently burned me yet. And for the big question. I think it is helping slightly especially with the Dupuyren"s but it is only three weeks and the Brazilian Doctor who has a current trial using this method said that he assures me that it works but, it takes 2+ years. I am hoping for progress in the interim.
I agree with George if the price is not listed I probably can't afford it.

Rockwall

[George999]

I would like to try this anodyne treatment. Do you know if it is available to the public and what the cost might be - I looked at their site and it didn't seem like they sell to the public. Thanks and good luck.

This looks VERY interesting to me, I really think it just might be useful, but   ->$$$$$$$

Certainly worth it of course if it works, but I think this time I will let someone else do the test drive.  - George

[ohno]

I've been using a heating pad (thermotex infrared) for about 2 months (in conjunction with traction -4 hours a day, pentox and arginine and vitamin d) and have seen limited improvement but time is of course the issue here. I would like to try this anodyne treatment. Do you know if it is available to the public and what the cost might be - I looked at their site and it didn't seem like they sell to the public. Thanks and good luck.

[PTMAN]

Here's some more...


Anodyne Therapy works as a non-invasive, drug-free method to increase local circulation to nerves and tissues and reduce neuropathic pain. Treatment in Anodyne Neuropathy Care Centers® is reimbursed by most private insurance companies and Medicare. Patients may be able to get a home system through their insurance or Medicare if they have objective improvement in their condition after a clinical course of treatment.

Anodyne Therapy works by using monochromatic infrared energy (MIRE) to release nitric oxide from the patient’s red blood cells. This improves nerve function and is important for making new blood vessels and healing wounds. It is reported that "low levels of nitric oxide are common in people with diabetes and are a major factor in the poor circulation, loss of sensation, chronic falls, foot ulcers and pain of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.”

The manufacturer also emphasizes that Anodyne Therapy has been clinically proven to increase local microcirculation and reduce pain. It says there are several clinical studies that demonstrate significant clinical outcomes including restoration of protective sensation in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, pain reduction, increased nerve conduction and faster healing of diabetic ulcers and other chronic wounds. Podiatrists also tout the product’s benefits.

The Anodyne Therapy works by using a device - a box with eight pads. The light from the diodes on the pads is absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood, causing the release of nitric oxide. Nitric Oxide causes dilation of the blood vessels and increases blood flow to the affected area. Ultimately, the treatment can help form new blood vessels in the treated area, allowing the wound to heal faster.


THERE'S THAT NITRIC OXIDE THING AGAIN

[PTMAN]

Promised some web info... Here's some


Anodyne Therapy



Anodyne therapy is a unique light therapy used for the treatment of pain. This infrared therapy effectively brings pain relief without the use of drugs and is non-invasive. It does this by harnessing the healing power of infrared light. Infrared light emits wave lengths of energy and it can penetrate up to 5cm into the body.




This monochromatic infra-red photo-thermal energy improves circulation to nerves and tissues in the area where the treatment pads are placed and so reduces neuropathic pain, stiffness, muscle spasms and areas of chronic pain.

The key to the dramatic improvement in blood flow with Anodyne light therapy is Nitric Oxide. The infrared light therapy helps the body to release this gas from the blood cells. Nitric Oxide gas is the body’s most powerful vasodilator and also known to be one of the main pain relieving ingredients in pain medications such as morphine. Nitric Oxide molecules relax the arteries, help regulate blood pressure, fights free radicals, and discourages platelets from clumping together in the blood vessels. By increasing the production of nitric oxide and improving circulation, Anodyne therapy relieves pain.

The Anodyne treatment system is simple and painless. Four flexible pads, each containing 60 small infrared lights, are placed directly on the skin over the area of pain or injury. Therapy pads are flexible so they can fit the shape of parts of the body. The pad is in direct contact with the skin so the light can be better absorbed by the skin. Energy from the lights penetrates beneath the skin and is absorbed by deep tissue causing the body to release nitric oxide, making the blood vessels become larger. After just 30 minutes of treatment, blood flow is enhanced by 400 percent, and this boost in local circulation persists for several hours after the pads are removed.

Anodyne light therapy provides a painless, non - invasive treatment for anyone where an increase in circulation would help with relief of pain and inflammation or a condition characterized by poor circulation

It is fast becoming a popular treatments for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and a wide variety of other clinical conditions such as fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, strains and sprains, and wounds of any nature. Anodyne infrared therapy is used by the US military to treat elite soldiers in the Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and Special Forces. Hospitals and nursing homes use it to relieve most any kind of chronic pain. Anodyne therapy can be used during occupational therapy treatments to make other therapy more bearable, such as improving strength, flexibility, movement and function.

The manufacturer also emphasizes that Anodyne Therapy has been clinically proven to increase local microcirculation and reduce pain. It says there are several clinical studies that demonstrate significant clinical outcomes including restoration of protective sensation in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, pain reduction, increased nerve conduction and faster healing of diabetic ulcers and other chronic wounds.


Interesting, no?

[PTMAN]

O.K., I'm finally back! Sorry it took so long. I've been really busy with work, family, etc...
Thanks to all for weighing in.
I promised I would get to the point, and tonight's the night
It seems the consensus here is that N.O. is a good thing for Peyronie's Disease, especially for stopping further plaque from developing. My question is still, will it "denature" or "disolve" the plaque that has already formed? If I'm understanding all the info I've read out there on the net, the answer is yes.
The reason for my intense interest in this question is this. I have access to a machine used in Physical Therapy called Anodyne Therapy. Google it if you want. The way it works is that a 3" by 4" pad is placed on the skin which shines infrared light into the deeper tissue. The light forces these tissues to release their stored up N.O. 
Local N.O. content is thereby greatly increased for a period of time (several hours or days, depending where you read). I have had much success with this treatment on diabetic feet and lower legs with restoring sensation lost to neuropathy. The action is again, increasing nitric oxide production locally.
An added benefit is local vasodilation for a period of hours, improving circulation.
I've been mulling this topic in my mind for some months now.
Surely the answer, or "magic bullet", hasn't been within my reach all this time?
Now I must decide- will the treatment make my Peyronie's worse?
If not, will I choose to "experiment" on myself?
I read where someone else on the forum tried to use an Infrared light bulb on himself, but found the heat produced to be prohibitive. He was doing the best he could with what he had.
The Anodyne people have solved this problem, as the pads have rows and rows of small infrared bulbs, and a control knob to set intensity. A small amount of heat is released as a byproduct, but is not the intended mechanism. I will try to find some info on the net and post here for your convenience.
Please respond if you have thoughts on this topic, either positive or negative.
As you can tell, I'm pretty stoked about the prospects.             Thanks, PTMAN

[Fred22]

On the other hand, some viruses need relatively much l-arginine for reproduction, so taking too much l-arginine might not always be helpful.

For example, if one has genital herpes, l-arginine is not recommended as it may contribute to causing an outbreak.
Fred

[slowandsteady]

PTMAN, see this post of mine.

[skunkworks]

On Trental:

The mechanism is not fully understood; pentox blocks the transforming growth factor (TGF) B1- mediated pathway of inflammation, prevents deposition of collagen type 1, and acts as a nonspecific (PDE) inhibitor.

[PTMAN]

slowandsteady,
Thands for weighing in. This is a very interesting topic for me, as I believe this discussion could lead to a helpful adjunct treatment, or at least the possibility. To me, that's what this forum is here for.
If I'm understanding the lingo correctly, iNOS leads to NO, which in turn controls fibroblast activity, which forms the collagen that peyronie's plaque is made of. If for some reason the precursers of NO become depleted, collagen derived plaques develope =>(peyronie's disease). The information in this article does not go so far as to theorize that drastic increase of NO would degrade the plaques, but others that I have read have. It states something to the effect of "allowing for uptake of fibrotic plaque by the body and replacement with more normal elastic tissue."  Wish I had saved the article as I'm finding it difficult to find again! But I know what I read. This is all contengent upon my being right about this information:

(Myofibroblasts are present in the fibrotic plaque of the tunica albuginea (TA) of the penis in men with Peyronie’s disease (Peyronies Disease), a localized fibrosis that is accompanied by a spontaneous induction of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), also observed in the TGF1-elicited, Peyronies Disease-like lesion in the rat model. iNOS expression counteracts fibrosis, by producing nitric oxide (NO) that reduces collagen deposition in part by neutralization of profibrotic reactive oxygen species.)

In doing research on this disease, and treatments for it, low and behold I found out that the mechanism for at least 2 drugs (probably more) was production of NO!      1.) Trental     2.) L-Arginine
Seems to support my theory, doesn't it? I really think this is important. Can someone tell me if I'm on base or off...
thanks P.T.

[slowandsteady]

In other words, if some device greatly increased NO locally, is this a good thing, or a bad thing?

I think the study is saying that NO production is helpful against Peyronies Disease. The wikipedia entry for the biological functions of NO might be helpful to read.

From that article:

Vasodilation
Nitric Oxide (NO) is of critical importance as a mediator of vasodilation in blood vessels. It is induced by several factors, and once synthesized by eNOS it results in phosphorylation of several proteins that cause smooth muscle relaxation. The vasodilatory actions of nitric oxide plays a key role in renal control of extracellular fluid homeostasis and is essential for the regulation of blood flow and blood pressure. [4]. This also plays a role in erection of the penis.

eNOS synthesizes NO, but it requires l-arginine. NO is also a potent oxidant, but one that the body makes use of, for signaling or for killing bacteria. It's not my impression that people suffer from out-of-control NO production that damages the body (please correct me if I'm wrong). Levels of NO are usually low in diabetes, and diabetes is known to be a risk factor in Peyronies Disease. I think low NO is bad for Peyronies Disease. The article states: "Diminished supply of Nitric Oxide can lead to vascular damage, such as endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation."

On the other hand, some viruses need relatively much l-arginine for reproduction, so taking too much l-arginine might not always be helpful. Maybe pycnogenol helps the l-arginine go farther without feeding the viruses. Pycnogenol also increases NO production and inhibits at least some viruses, so that's at least potentially a better way to go.

[PTMAN]

Let me preface by saying that I'm aware this topic has been covered to some degree, as I have read what is on this site addressing this issue. I felt it was woefully lacking in coverage. I have been researching sporadically for quite some time, the role of nitric oxide in recovery of Peyronie's Disease plaques, but as I am severely lacking in cellular physiology background, I get lost with all the terms, i.e., NO, iNOS, NOS, "expression of", etc. Just can't get my head around it. I therefore need help from this forum from someone with this background. I promise, I'll get to the point soon. But for now can someone look into the below study, which is eerily similar to every other article I've found, and either confirm or deny my rudimentary understanding, that elevation of NO levels have some anti-plaque formation, and possibly a plaque "breakdown" capability?
In other words, if some device greatly increased NO locally, is this a good thing, or a bad thing?
Happy reading, and thanks in advance for the assistance!
PTMAN

 Abstract:

The myofibroblast shares phenotypic features of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. It plays a critical role in collagen deposition and wound healing and disappears by apoptosis when the wound is closed. Its abnormal persistence leads to hypertrophic scar formation and other fibrotic conditions. Myofibroblasts are present in the fibrotic plaque of the tunica albuginea (TA) of the penis in men with Peyronie’s disease (Peyronies Disease), a localized fibrosis that is accompanied by a spontaneous induction of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), also observed in the TGF1-elicited, Peyronies Disease-like lesion in the rat model. iNOS expression counteracts fibrosis, by producing nitric oxide (NO) that reduces collagen deposition in part by neutralization of profibrotic reactive oxygen species. In this study we investigated whether fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts is enhanced in the human and rat Peyronies Disease-like plaque and in cultures of human tissue fibroblasts. We also examined whether NO reduces this cell differentiation and collagen synthesis. The myofibroblast content in the fibroblast population was measured by quantitative immunohistochemistry as the ratio between-smooth muscle actin (ASMA; myofibroblast marker) and vimentin (general fibroblast marker) levels. We found that myofibroblast content was considerably increased in the human and TGF1-induced rat plaques as compared to control TA. Inhibition of iNOS activity by chronic administration of l-iminoethyl-l-lysine to rats with TGF1-induced TA lesion increased myofibroblast abundance and collagen I synthesis measured in plaque and TA homogenates from animals injected with a collagen I promoter construct driving the expression of-galactosidase. Fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts occurred with passage in the cell cultures from the human Peyronies Disease plaque, but was minimal in cultures from the TA. Induction of iNOS in Peyronies Disease and TA cultures with a cytokine cocktail and a NO donor,S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP), was detected by immunohistochemistry. Both treatments reduced the total number of cells and the number of ASMA positive cells, whereas only SNAP decreased collagen I immunostaining. These results support the hypotheses that myofibroblasts play a role in the development of the Peyronies Disease plaque and that the antifibrotic effects of NO may be mediated at least in part by the reduction of myofibroblast abundance and lead to a reduction in collagen I synthesis.