Monday, March 11, 2013

Ask Dr. Bob: Laser therapy

Ask Dr. Bob: Laser Therapy

Q. What is laser therapy? 

A. Laser therapy is a new non-invasive treatment used to help our pets' well-being and comfort.  It is a great option for pets who may be non-responsive to pain medication or other therapies.  

Some of the effects of laser therapy include:
  • Alleviation of chronic and acute pain
  • Reduction of inflammation and edema
  • Activation of immune and anti-inflammatory processes
  • Accelerated wound healing
  • Increased cellular metabolic activity
  • Increased blood flow to region of treatment

Q: How does laser therapy work?

A:  A high power laser light beam is aimed at the affected area and is absorbed by cellular structures that send a message to increase the production of cellular energy in the form of ATP.  ATP fuels the cells in the body and provides them with the tools they need to repair themselves.  With the increase of ATP there is more transport of nutrients into the cells, more excretion of waste from the cells, and quicker regeneration of the cells.  This allows for a rapid recovery process and alleviates the pain and inflammation your pet experiences. 

The light energy of the laser also initiates many other biological processes.  These include serotonin and endorphin release to help relieve pain, lymphatic vessel dilation to reduce swelling, and blood vessel dilation to increase blood flow and rejuvenate the cells.  Laser treatment also stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts, leukocytes, and macrophages to help accelerate wound healing. 

Laser treatment can help alleviate pets with the following conditions:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Muscle or Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Lick Granulomas
  • Skin Infections
  • Nerve Pain
  • Acute Trauma
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Post-operative Incisions and Swelling
Laser treatment is a powerful new therapy and we've seen great results with many of our patients! If you think your pet would benefit from laser treatment, call (516) 627-0057 to schedule an appointment with us!

-Dr. Bob Henrickson

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