For many who suffer from HIV- and diabetic-related neuropathy ( nerve damage ) , the little-known process known as anodyne therapy has been nothing less than a godsend. Utilizing infrared light, the FDA-approved therapy restores feeling and lessens pain, particularly in hands and feet. Windy City Times recently spoke with Christopher Staehling, DPM, of Greater Chicago Foot & Ankle Associates, P.C., as well as the facility's office manager, Patrick Powers, about this treatment.
Windy City Times: Let's discuss what anodyne therapy is.
Christopher Staehling: Basically, it's a therapy that was developed to reverse peripheral neuropathy. When I was a student, peripheral neuropathy was considered to be irreversible; it starts with numbness, tingling, burning, and loss of temperature—and eventually it proceeds to the person having no sensation at all. Diabetic patients would develop open sores, which would lead to infections and amputations.
All of the research on anodyne therapy is based on diabetics. However, what we've learned in this office is that we have great success with HIV-related neuropathy. What's interesting is that we're having a difficult time getting information out there; few articles discuss it in depth.
Patrick Powers: Even doctors who deal [ exclusively ] with HIV-positive patients are not that familiar with the therapy.
WCT: Why?
CS: It could be because the therapy is so new. Also, I don't know if people are out there talking about pain in their feet.
PP: It may not be the most pressing thing for someone with HIV.
WCT: But foot pain might be indicative of something worse, right?
CS: Sure. But what happens is that people end up going on disability. I wonder if some patients feel that it's just a side effect—so they don't bring it up to their peers or healthcare providers. What I like about the therapy is that we're not adding any medication at all and there are practically no negative side effects. It's just a matter of time—taking the time to do it. Plus, it's covered by Medicare.
PP: Ideally, patients come in twice a week for 40-minute sessions for 6 to 12 weeks.
CS: We do that because that's what all the studies are based on. We follow that model just to make things easier.
WCT: How does it work?
CS: We put diode pads on the surface of the skin, usually on the entire plantar aspect [ the soles of the feet ] . Some people, though, may have symptoms on the distal part of their feet so we put the pads on the tops and bottoms. Also, the pads don't have to come in contact with the skin.
The wavelength of energy penetrates the soft tissue. Nitric oxide, a natural pain reliever, is released; it increases blood flow to the area. Therefore, healthy oxygenated blood is brought in, cleaning up inflammation and improving sensation. We're also creating an environment around the nerve that lets it function properly.
Let's say we have a patient who's had HIV-related neuropathy for 10 years and that person has very little sensation in the affected area. When we start to bring sensation back, there can actually be a time when the patient feels increased pain because we're bringing them back through it. [ Initial ] increased pain is a possibility and I stress that.
WCT: How soon do people feel improvement?
CS: We've had people who have felt improvement in a couple of weeks and we've had people who felt better that day. It varies with the individual.
WCT: What are the possible side effects?
CS: There are two possibilities. A fair-skinned person may experience a light burn. Also, the therapy [ should not be used around ] any type of active cancer; that's a safety measure.
WCT: It's amazing that it's not more widely used.
CS: We've used it here for three years and it's been such a gradual progression in terms of news spreading.
PP: I've noticed on the Web that the number of anodyne care centers is slowly growing on the local and national levels.
Great Chicago Foot & Ankle Associates, P.C., 3324 N. Halsted, ( 773 ) 248-1520; www.chicagofootandankle.net . Also go to www.anodynetherapy.com .