High intensity laser therapy - A solution to the epidemic of opioid prescription abuse for acute and chronic pain

Of the more than 1.25 billion ambulatory care visits to a physician’s offices, hospital outpatient and emergency departments in the United States in 2009-2010, almost 105 million were for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. In a 3 month period, about one-fourth of US adults experience at least one day of back pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint pain and a leading cause of disability in older persons.2 Musculoskeletal Physician Visits by Body Part in order of decreasing frequency include: Knee - 18.6 million; Back - 13 million; Shoulder - 11 million; Lower back - 8 million; Leg - 7.8 million; neck - 7.6 million; Hand and finger - 7 million; Foot and toe - 6.3 million; Hip - 4 million; Ankle - 3.9 million; Wrist - 3.4 million; Arm - 3.2 million; Elbow - 2 million. Musculoskeletal disorders have become the fourth leading diagnostic category in primary care.3