When most people think of lasers they think of laser pointers. At the Tipp City Veterinary Hospital we use two types of lasers for two very different purposes. We use a Surgical Laser instead of a scalpel for some surgeries to reducing bleeding and improve healing. The other laser we use a lot is a Therapy Laser, and that is what I’d like to elaborate on today.
Laser Therapy (also called: photobiomodulation or cold laser), is the use of specific wavelengths of energy to create therapeutic effects. Treatment reduces pain, reduces inflammation and accelerates healing. Laser therapy offers a non-invasive, cutting edge way to promote natural healing and pain relief. We can use it on anything that hurts, is inflamed or isn’t healing quickly enough. We use the same laser system that is used by many universities and professional sports teams including the Cincinnati Bengals.
What sets Laser Therapy apart from most other modalities is that it can be used in conjunction with other therapies safely. Because it is not a drug we don’t have to worry about drug interactions or metabolism (how the body clears the drug after it has taken effect). Each therapy session typically lasts about 5 minutes, with the owner encouraged to help during that time. For most conditions a treatment schedule is planned that typically includes 3 treatments the first week, 2 the second and 1 the third. Some chronic conditions are well controlled with once a month sessions.
A few of the conditions treated with laser therapy:
-Hip Pain
-Back Pain
-Spinal injury
-Osteoarthritis
-Wound healing
-Post surgical recovery
-Lick granulomas
-Burns
-Chronic otitis externa (ear infection)
-Post-dental
-Sinusitis
-Inflamed urinary bladder
For more information including videos, please visit the K-Laser Pet website.
-Dr. Nick
