What We Do At Heelex

Let's Break It Down....

Your body has a built-in defense army called the immune system. When something harmful gets in — like a virus, bacteria, or parasite — your body sends out white blood cells called T-helper 1 macrophage type cells (T1/M1).

These cells fight infection by releasing a substance called nitric oxide (NO), which helps kill invaders. That’s great when you’re fighting an infection.

But sometimes, your body gets confused. In conditions like arthritis, plantar fasciitis, or chronic tendon pain, there’s no infection — just wear and tear. Yet your body mistakes it for an attack and keeps sending those same fighter cells.

That means more T1/M1 cells → more nitric oxide → more inflammation, heat, and pain. Medications may dull the pain, but they don’t always fix the underlying overreaction.

Low-dose, high-energy X-rays (far lower than what’s used for cancer) can calm that overactive immune response. The amount is roughly similar to what you’d get from a CT scan or living at high elevation (like Denver) for a while — not dangerous or destructive.

Here’s what the X-rays do:

 1. They quiet the “NO pumps.” The radiation gently slows down the production of nitric oxide — easing the chemical fire that keeps pain and swelling alive.

 2. They flip the switch on your immune cells. The radiation increases a signaling protein called TGF-Beta. You can think of TGF-Beta as a key — it transforms those aggressive T1/M1 cells into T1/M2 cells. The M2 cells are your healing, anti-inflammatory cells. They clean up the area and help the tissue recover instead of keeping it inflamed.

So in short:

 • Chronic pain = immune system stuck in “attack mode.”

 • Low-dose X-rays = gentle reset, shifting your body to “healing mode.”

No damage, no burning — just a biological nudge to calm the inflammation and let your body repair itself naturally.