La cura del dolore cronico negli anziani e soluzioni innovative

Chronic pain in old age is a topic of great importance, as older people are the segment of the population that suffers the most. Dealing with it is a complex challenge: often, in fact, the elderly already follow articulated drug therapies for the management of various diseases, and the addition of anti-inflammatories or analgesics requires particular caution, as it is not always the most suitable solution. 

Complicating matters further is the fact that many older adults struggle to communicate their grief — sometimes they see it as a natural consequence of aging, other times they fear they will have to take new medications or simply become a burden to others. 

For this reason, it is essential to adopt integrated approaches and innovative solutions that can improve the quality of life and promote active aging, minimizing the use of chemicals and possible side effects. 

Light therapy and its analgesic effect

A step forward in this direction is represented by light therapy. It has been widely shown that, when light penetrates tissues (up to 3 cm deep), it stimulates the mitochondria of cells to produce more energy (ATP or adenosine triphosphate). This process, called photochemical excitation, has an immediate effect on the body, and brings numerous benefits, including: 

• an improvement in tissue oxygenation, 
• a reduction in inflammation and pain, 
• a transformation of light into chemical nourishment (vitamin D and antioxidants) that supports biochemical mechanisms even in the following hours. 

The Taopatch® light therapy device promotes the same results. The size of a dime, it is applied to the body with plaster tape on specific points or in areas of pain. 

The wavelengths of therapeutic light emitted by the device help to detension muscles and improve communication between the central nervous system and peripheral receptors, promoting more efficient neuromuscular regulation. A study conducted on 650 patients showed that Taopatch® reduces pain by up to 50% in a few seconds and, in most cases, can eliminate it completely. 

Unlike drugs, Taopatch® does not mask pain: it acts at the root, rebalancing the body's signals. In addition, being a wearable device, it works 24 hours a day, offering a unique advantage over any traditional treatment.

Recently, Taopatch® nanotechnology has been integrated into large photobiomodulation tools. The result? The two wavelengths of the Taopatch® BODY STATION lamp are boosted to 650, thus providing a wide and complete light spectrum, similar to what every human being should receive from regular exposure to natural light. 

BODY STATION allows you to provide the beneficial energy of the sun, free of harmful ultraviolet rays, offering a safe and effective solution for the elderly who are bedridden or unable to go out, contributing to the maintenance of psychophysical well-being. 

The Sartor Center and the Taopatch® photobiomodulation tools

In Italy — one of the longest-lived countries in the world after Japan — the demand for care services dedicated to the elderly is constantly growing. 

The Domenico Sartor Residential Center for the Elderly in Castelfranco Veneto (TV), which has always been attentive to innovation and the well-being of its guests, has introduced light therapy sessions dedicated to residents. The sessions are made possible thanks to the donation of a BODY STATION by Dr. Fabio Fontana, inventor of Taopatch® nanotechnology. 

Residents who have tried light therapy have had a very good time, reporting significant improvements. During an episode of TV7 con Voi, the general director of the Center, Dr. Elisabetta Barbato, said that the guests found not only the disappearance of physical pain (such as back pain that painkillers could not solve), but also a deep psychological well-being. Chronic pain, in fact, tends to be dulling and often leads to dejection and isolation. Light, on the other hand, helps to "recharge the batteries" of the body and brain, counteracting the lack of energy that is the basis of depressive states. 

On a psychological level, exposure to the lamp had obvious positive effects. The director cited the case of Gina, 93, who after a hospitalization was forced to stay in her room due to circulatory problems and neck pain, and also used oxygen therapy. After a few rounds of treatment with the photobiomodulation lamp — about 3-4 times a week for 30 minutes — a general improvement in his physical and psychological condition was observed. 

As Dr. Barbato explained, the professionals of the facility — physiotherapists and doctors — have confirmed that exposure to light promotes the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood, thus helping to reduce anxiety and depression and improve the quality of life of guests. 

In addition to the lamps, the Sartor Center also uses Taopatch® PHOTONIC CAP, a cap for transcranial light therapy. This laserLED device allows light to penetrate the skull cap up to 3 cm deep, nourishing the brain cells. 

This therapy is considered ideal for the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders in the elderly, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and senile dementia. 

Also in this case, Dr. Elisabetta Barbato highlighted that, in monitoring patients with behavioral disorders and cognitive decline, the Center's professionals have noticed significant benefits on memory, concentration and the emotional sphere, including a reduction in sleep disorders. 

According to what has been observed, the therapy seems to help regulate the heart rhythm, promoting a better psychophysical balance. To find out about the benefits of light therapy, visit this page. 

Communication aimed at professional operators.