Shifting Performance and Recovery Paradigm
Introduction
Over the years, there have been numerous technological advancements in the healthcare sector. Currently, treatment, healing, and also recovery processes have been made to become more effective and relatively fast. For instance, in sports where athletes need quick recovery in order to recover fast and resume their profession as fast as possible.
Unlike in the past when people used to take long before healing from injuries and other ailment, patients can now boost their performance soon even after horrific injuries. This is as a result of effective techniques, such as LLCT, which have been invented and widely embraced as solutions for quick recovery and healing after injuries.
Trend in the Performance and Recovery Paradigm
As a result of numerous injuries halting and cutting short the performance of many patients, different treatment researches were done. They laid focus on coming up with different ways of enhancing quick recovery after injuries. The following are some of the techniques that came as a result:
a) Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (REST)
Previously, the above treatment technique was being used for enhanced and quicker treatment. This technique was broadly relied upon in many hospitals and sports competitions. However, some of the findings that came after proved it to be slow and, at times, unproductive in causing treatment and future injuries protection. Although many preferred it as it was cheap and convenient, the rising physicality and demands in many human activities such as; sports and hunting rendered it as less convenient as it seemed before.
Consequently, the technique was proved to be completely ineffective and inapplicable for acute injuries. For instance, it was noted to have no protection to the athletes from contracting future injuries. Thus, it was gradually ditched and was never relied upon again by many medical staffs in sports arenas and in hospitals.
b) Mobilize, Elevate, Laser-therapy, and Taping (MELT)
Following the ineffectiveness of REST in ensuring quick recovery and future injuries protection, MELT technique was eventually put in place. The technique implied the mobilization of soft tissues and the elevation of injured limbs in order to minimize swelling on the injured part. It was recommended by a scientist by the name, Brian Fitzpatrick.
c) Lower Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
This technique was invented alongside with MELT. It was also recommended by Brian Fitzpatrick. It implies the elevation of limbs and the adjustment of soft tissues in a therapy session to induce healing and recovery in the shortest time possible. Through laser therapy, this technique increases ATP in the injured area. Increase in ATP boosts the energy level in the injured organ. This, also, prevents the chances of future injury by strengthening the area.
Additionally, laser therapy reduces nitric oxide in the area. Instead, it adds more oxygen. This increase in oxygen and nutrients in the injured area minimizes muscle fatigue and exchanges it with improved muscle performance.
Together with MELT, these 2 techniques have been heavily relied upon for treatment and recovery in the past decade. The techniques have been essential especially in preventing swelling and also boosting the performance of an organ even after a horrific injury. It also involves the taping of the injured area to increase the chances of minimal swelling. Taping increases the concentration of the applied drug’s effect on the injured part.
How Did LLCT Solve the Issue in Performance and Recovery Paradigms?
Many hospitals and sports arenas confirmed the effectiveness of LLLT. The technique impressed many medical staffs by its ability to quickly reduce pain and chances of swelling. It was also noted to cause a significant improvement of motion of the muscles and joints, energy addition, strengthening of injured areas, and quick tissue recovery.
In addition to that, the technique was noted for its speed of action without fear of recurring future injuries. As compared with the RICE, this technique only used 20 seconds to give an effect which would have otherwise took 30 minutes with RICE technique. In turn, many hospitals and sports department chose to use the technique. This was because the method was seen as effective in ensuring that a patient or a key player can embark their performance soon even after being injured.
Conclusion
By increasing the nutrients and oxygen in the body parts of an athlete or a patient, LLCT emerged as the perfect solution for injuries. Austin backed the recommendation of Brian Fitzpatrick in using LLCT for quick recovery, more energy provision, ensuring better performance, and protection from future injuries through strengthening the injured area. The technique impressed many patients in hospitals. After being educated about it, many patients were already eager to experience its pain relief and quick treatment.