I few days ago I touched on the subject of NY-area drug store chain, Duane Reade. The company established a free diabetes program a while back, offering advice, education and support groups. Duane Reade says it's expanding the program because of customer demand.

Is this part of a larger trend? Looks like it. According to yesterday's New York Times, more and more people are turning to drug stores for medical services. We're talking non-urgent things like sprains and minor infections...and diabetes care. Some are frustrated by lack of access to their regular physician. Others are having budget issues going the traditional route. It's super-convenient because you can be seen without an appointment, then get your prescription filled right there.

Drug store chains - Duane Reade, Wal-Mart, CVS and Walgreens included - are stepping up to the plate to fill the void. "Urgent Care Lite," is the tag it's been given. According to the Times, the number of these clinics has exploded in the past two years. And many feel that's a big problem because these clinics are not tightly regulated.

Before experiencing wounds or diabetic ulcers, patients affected by diabetic peripheral neuropathy suffer from loss of sensation, loss of balance, chronic pain, or loss of feeling in their extremities. An infrared therapy is showing promising results for the reduction of pain from peripheral neuropathy.

Anodyne Infrared Therapy is a treatment that uses light energy to exponentially increase (up to 400%) the circulation in peripheral areas (arms, legs). Light-emitting diodes are fitted into flexible pads that can be applied directly to the skin on any affected part of the body. The light energy helps increase blood flow by delivering nutrients to the injured site. Anodyne therapy consists of 10 to 12 sessions lasting 30 minutes each. During this time, energy is penetrating your tissues increasing circulation that results in reducing pain and rapid wound healing.

Light energy helps your body release a gas called Nitric Oxide from your own red blood cells. This powerful molecule plays a critical role in the health of your arteries. Anodyne Infrared Therapy can be used to intervene at the early stages of the disease in order to prevent the more serious complications. If you suffer from any condition distinguished by pain and inflammation or a condition characterized by poor circulation, Anodyne may be a painless, non - invasive treatment option for you.

The benefits of Anodyne Therapy extend as far-reaching as: arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains, temporal mandibular joint disorders ("TMJ"), slow healing wounds, and stress fractures. Let the light shed some promising results on your painful ailments. I'm curious to see how well it works. I called a local office and setup an appointment. If it works for me - you'll be the first to read about it. Stay tuned...