When choosing a treatment option for your pet there is now an alternative to pharmaceuticals.
he Companion Therapy Laser' System can provide immediate results without any dangerous side effects.
The Science Behind Laser Therapy.
This isthe latest technolog in health care for your pet. This FDA cleared,
deep-penetrating light allows relief of pain through the release of endorphins and stimulatE the injured cells to heal at a faster rate.
What will the Application of Laser Therapy do for your pet?
- Laser Therapy allows your pet to heal faster after surgery and any traumatic injury.
- It eases pain and improves mobility without the use of pharmaceuticals and surgery
- The therapy provides your geriatric animals relief of aches and pains, and allows for more freedom and improved quality life
- Everyday disorders such as lick granulomas and chronic ear infections that cause severe pain and discomfort, are instantaneously relieved
These are some of the disorders that respond to laser therapy
-
Arthritis
- Hip Dysplasia
- Numerous Skin Conditions
- Post Surgical Pain Relief & Increased
Healing
- Otitis (ear infections & inflammation)
- Wound Healing
- Degenerative Joint Diseas
- Gingivitis
- Insect Bites/Sting
- Lacerations/Abrasions
- Cystitis
- Burns
And more...
Laser Therapy FAQ
Class IV laser therapy is the use of an intense beam of laser light directed into tissues to reduce pain, reduce inflammation and accelerate healing.
Laser therapy is the result of electromagnetic energy interacting chemically and biologically with tissue causing "photobiostimulation" or "photobiomodulation." The involvement of electromagnetic energy in biological processes is not a novel concept - it fills our environment as photosynthesis occurs in plants and literally surrounds us as Vitamin D is formed in our skin cells.
The idea of light producing healthful tissue effects is as old as science itself, noted, but not understood by early Greek physicians. Medical use of light in the modern era predates the development of lasers, which have transformed light therapy. Lasers allow light therapy to be targeted, specific and quick.
Lasers produce a single wavelength (monochromatic) beam of light, collimated as it is generated. Laser light has the property of being coherent, or in phase, which in simple terms means it is uniform and very orderly light. Class IV laser therapy uses a simple beam of light - monochromatic, coherent, collimated light - to penetrate deeply into tissues and produce positive tissue changes.
Lasers are classified as Class I, II, IIIa, IIIb and IV based on their ability to do harm if used improperly. Class I and lI lasers arc very low power devices used in CD players, laser printers, grocery store scanners and bar code readers. Class III lasers are higher in power, but do not exceed 500 milliwatts (0.5 watt). Laser pointers are Class III, as are some medical devices.
Some therapy lasers are Class IIIb. Under 500 mw in power, they are referred to as "low power", "LLLT" (Low Power Laser Therapy) or "cold laser" devices. They are applicable for treatment of superficial lesions and wounds only.
Class 1V lasers - those over 5OOmw in power -are used in medicine and surgery, as well as in military and industrial applications.
Class IV therapy lasers are usually diode lasers emitting light in the 790 - 980 manometer wavelength range. The longer wavelengths in this spectrum have the deepest tissue penetration and produce excellent photobiomodulation.
Most Class IV therapy lasers have moved well beyond the low power of Class III therapy lasers. The better quality and more effective Class IV devices now have power capabilities of 6 or 10 watts with wavelengths in the far end of the diode laser spectrum. Those Class IV devices with power lower than 6 watts, or, with shorter wavelengths, have limited applicability to veterinary practitioners,
Class TV laser therapy is a new technology in the United States. Although therapy laser devices have been used outside of the United States for many years, Class III therapy lasers were FDA approved in the United States in 2002. Because of their low power, use of Class III therapy lasers has been limited.
After the FDA approved Class N therapy lasers in 2005, the science of laser therapy really began emerging in this country. Acceptance has been rapid on the human side in rehabilitation, wound Care and sports medicine programs. In the veterinary profession Class IV laser therapy has rapidly developed, with practitioners leading the way in beta testing, protocol development, case reporting and dissemination off information about the technology.
Laser therapy reduces pain, reduces inflammation and accelerates healing.
How does it reduce pain? Through its effect on nerve cells and nociceptors, increased stimulation thresholds, reduced neuronal impulses, and increased release of tissue endorphins, pain perception is decreased.
How does it reduce inflammation? Inflammation is reduced by decreasing release of prostaglandins and inflammatory mediators, by increasing macrophage activity and leukocytic phagocytosis, and, by reducing edema through dilation of lymphatics.
How does it accelerate healing? Healing is accelerated by increased blood flow from vasodilation, by increased angiogenesis and capillary production, by increased release of cytokines, and by stimulation of fibroblast activity and collagen production. ,
How do photons (little packets of electromagnetic energy) produce such dramatic biological changes? The list of documented mechanisms and effects in laser treated tissue is extensive. Electrical, temperature and pressure gradients are created as coherent laser light is polarized by the mixed density of tissue. Chromophores - photon absorbing chemicals and structures in tissue, cc] Is, and sub-cellular organelles - absorb the electromagnetic energy. Electron chain transport mechanisms in mitochondria, cell membranes and epithelial tissues are stimulated. ATP production increases, and DNA and RNA synthesis is increased. Enzymes (such as the cytochrome oxidases) are directly stimulated. With further research, a more complete understanding of this exciting technology will emerge.
Patients presenting with pain, inflammation or healing tissue are candidates for Class IV laser therapy.
Incorporation of Class TV laser therapy into routine pain control protocols is appropriate. As an adjunct to medical protocols, laser therapy is helpful in reducing pain and inflammation and accelerating healing after surgery and dental procedures.
Patients with a wide variety of acute problems benefit from Class N laser therapy. Common to these problems are the components of pain, inflammation and tissue healing. These conditions may be treated only once, or, multiple times over several days or weeks. A few examples include wounds, fractures, abscesses, anal sacculitis, acute otitis, hematomas, sprains, strains, muscle discomfort, cystitis, urethritis, injection site soreness, pyotraumatic dermatitis, venomous bites and pododermatitis.
Chronic conditions involving pain, inflammation and healing may also be helped, although treatment has to extend over a longer time, and frequently will be followed by on-going treatment to maintain effect. Osteoarthratis, elbow hygromas, lick granulomas and neuropathies are examples.
Treatments are delivered by the veterinarian or technician, using the laser handpiece in either a scanning or a contact mode. Protocols for treatment are presented in menu format in the laser device. Treatments can be administered during an outpatient visit and normally take 3-5 minutes for each affected area. Patients tolerate treatments well, experiencing a gentle and pleasant warming sensation in the tissue.
As with any laser device, eye protection is critical when using a therapy laser. All persons in the treatment area should wear appropriate safety glasses and pay strict attention to avoiding direct exposure of the patient's eyes.
Darkly pigmented hair and skin more readily absorb diode laser light. To avoid overheating pigmented tissue scanning treatment technique is used.
Most contraindications for laser therapy are based on prudence rather than clinical data. Treatment of malignancy, thymus and thyroid glands, epiphysitis, testicles, pregnancy, and active hemorrhage are historical contraindications. Treatment after administration of photosensitizing medications is a definitive contraindication.
LIGHT YEARS AHEAD
CLASS IV LASER THERAPY FAQ
John C. Godlbold, Jr. D.V.M.
StonchAVen Park Veterinary Hospital
Laser Surgery Center
Jackson, Tennessee
Copyright 2009
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