20/08/2024
🔴 LASER Therapy – What Is it and How does it help? 🔴
LASER (Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) has become a commonly used treatment method for veterinary physiotherapists. You may also hear it referred to as cold-laser, low-level light therapy, or redlight therapy, although true redlight LASER is what I provide when treating patients.
Simply put, the LASER emitter releases a bright red light that penetrates the body’s tissues, such as the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerve fibers. This red light is then absorbed by the mitochondria within the cells of these tissues, which in turn aids healthy cell function such as collagen production and aiding in the removal of toxins, and inflammatory cells (the bits that then lead to a pain response).
So how does LASER actually help your pet feel better, and why do therapists use it?
🔴 LASER is a useful tool to use before massage, as the slight warming effect it has helps to relax the surface skin, fascia, and muscles before starting (similar to having the temperature of a warm hot water bottle on you).
🔴 It can help reach deeper tissues such as joint and nerves that can otherwise not be manipulated through physical touch alone.
🔴 LASER helps target nerve fibres and sources of inflammation which in turn can help neutralise pain in areas where your pet is injured or showing compensatory issues such as tight muscles and joint pain.
🔴 LASER helps to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage to the tissues you are targeting – this helps the body repair itself.
🔴 LASER, despite sounding scary is completely non-invasive, and most pets learn to tolerate (and even enjoy it) quickly.
🔴 LASER helps to provide pain relief by helping the body reduce inflammation.
🔴 LASER helps in the release of ‘happy hormones’ such as serotonin and dopamine, which can also have natural pain-relieving properties.
🔴 LASER helps the body produce collagen, which is essential for healing following surgery, injury, or the re-modeling of scar tissue.
I use LASER with the majority of my clients as most of them absolutely love it, and I have seen some amazing results, especially in my arthritic clients.
Whilst there are devices available online marketed at owners, they are not usually the same level of clinical-grade device that physiotherapists use, and it is essential that true LASER therapy should be provided by a professional who understands the appropriate treatment techniques and contraindications.
If you would like to find out more about how LASER or physiotherapy, in general, may help your pet, please do not hesitate to drop me a message at [email protected]
Alexandra Martin Veterinary Physiotherapy PgDIp, BSC (Hons), FdSc
