Coming from a small town where everybody knew each other, you wanted to move out as soon as you could to explore the world. When the opportunity to work for an airline company presented itself, you grabbed the opportunity. Working as a flight attendant was backbreaking. People thought that a woman like you cannot lift fifty pounds of luggage on high heels but you did that for years. While passengers were seated comfortably, you were massaging the pains on your knees. You thought that your knee ache was part of the job so you took pain medication frequently when the aches became intolerable. Months passed and you were taking pain medication before each flight anticipating the wrenching pain before they are sure to happen. It seemed that the medicines are not working as well as they used to or the pains are stronger. You remembered the time that you were on a long trans-Atlantic flight. You felt that your knees were tender to touch and every step involved a twinge of pain. At the first opportunity, you went to see the company doctor. You were diagnosed with patellar tendinitis. You were advised to rest, take prescribed pain medication and see the physical therapist. Your therapist advised you change to lower-heeled shoes, modify the way you move your body, and exercise the supporting muscles around your knees. As part of the regimen, he introduced you to laser therapy equipment that will be applied to your knees to reduce pain. At this point, you will accept anything and everything just to feel better. Whether it is laser therapy equipment or some sort of voodoo, you are willing to test it out. He cited several peer-reviewed journal articles to back up his decision so that you know of its safety and efficacy.
You took a medical leave of absence and saw your therapist frequently. You saw him more than you see your family and began to trust him implicitly. The first time he applied the laser therapy equipment on you, you had thoughts of your skin burning just like in the movies. He assured you that this type of laser is not the kind that cuts or coagulates tissue. With further sessions of the laser therapy equipment, you started to get the hang of it. There was really nothing to worry about.
Now that you are back at work, you are more careful with yourself. You still have laser therapy equipment sessions with your therapist and it seems to keep the pain at bay. He suggested portable electrotherapy since you are always on the go. You are considering it. You are taking less pain medication and you are more at ease with yourself.