What is Laser Therapy?
Laser Therapy, or “photobiomodulation”, is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and nearinfrared) to create therapeutic effects. These effects include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling. Laser Therapy has been widely utilized in Europe by physical therapists, nurses and doctors as far back as the 1970’s. Now, after FDA clearance in 2002, Laser Therapy is being used extensively in the United States.
Read more about laser therapy on our blog post.
FAQ:
Does it hurt? What does a treatment feel like?
There is little or no sensation during treatment. Occasionally the patient feels mild,soothing warmth, or tingling. Areas of pain or inflammation may be sensitive briefly before pain reduction.
Are there any side effects or associated risks?
During more than twenty years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have ever been reported. Occasionally some old injuries or pain syndromes may feel aggravated for a few days, as the healing response is more active after treatment.
How long does each treatment take?
The typical treatment time is 3 to 8 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated.
How often should a patient be treated?
Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week, tapering to once every week or two as improvement is seen.
How many treatments does it take?
This depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions 12 treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require 5 to 8 (or more) treatments. Some conditions may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.
How long before the results are felt?
Your pet may feel improvement in their condition (usually pain reduction) after the first treatment. Sometimes they will not feel improvement for a number of treatments. This does not mean that nothing is happening. Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 3 or 4 sessions.
Here is a list of conditions that Veterinarians have successfully treated with the KLaser.
● Rhinits, sinusitis
● Gingivitis, stomatitis and tooth extractions
● Rodent ulcers and feline acne
● Acute and chronic otitis
● Postsurgical
● Cervical and lumbar intervertebral disc disease
● Cystitis
● Feline asthma
● Bursitis and tendonitis
● Lick granulomas
● Pododermatitis
● Arthritis
● Fractures
● Sprains and strains
● Snake bites and bug/spider bites
● Hip dysplasia
● Pyotraumatic dermatitis (hot spots)
● Inflammatory bowel disease
● Dermatomyositis
● Trauma
● Anal saculitis
● Tail fractures
● Rehabilitation
● Acupuncture
Some conditions will improve with one or two KLaser Treatments, such as postsurgery or after a declaw.
Other conditions may require a series of visits over a few weeks. Examples would include lick granulomas, otitis and
trauma.
And some chronic conditions may require regular maintenance KLaser treatments, such as arthritis and disc disease. Your Veterinarian will recommend a KLaser treatment plan that best fits your pets condition.
Has effectiveness been demonstrated scientifically?
Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of Laser Therapy. Among these, there are more than one hundred rigorously controlled, scientific studies that document the effectiveness of Laser Therapy for many clinical conditions.
Cellular Effects of Laser Therapy
During Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, and metabolic activity increases within the cell, improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the increased production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health.
Laser Therapeutic Effects
During each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.
What is a Class 4 therapy laser?
Lasers are classified according to their output power. A Class 4 laser has more than 500 milliwatts of power. Higher power means it can deliver more energy per unit of time which means your Veterinarian can treat a very large area on your pet in just a few minutes.
In the blood capillaries, red blood cells pass through in single file. Laser therapy helps to increase blood flow.
Red blood cells carry molecules of oxygen to the tissues (represented here by the tiny white spheres). Laser therapy also helps the red blood cells deliver the oxygen molecules directly to the affected tissues (below).
Finally, laser therapy stimulates an enzyme in the mitochondria of the cells. This processes the oxygen more quickly, and more energy (also known as adenosine triphosphate, or ATP) is produced in the cell.
The end result is healing that is faster and better quality.
