Medical lasers are cropping up more and more often in the
veterinary field whether in the vet office itself, as part of
rehabilitation therapy or as an adjunct to chiropractic and /or
acupuncture. They have a wide range of therapeutic applications
although they are most commonly used to relieve acute or chronic
pain, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair and wound
healing.
Lasers stimulate photoreceptors causing cells to absorb energy.
Light in the visible (red) and near infrared wavelengths is
preferentially absorbed into mitochondria - the energy
powerhouses of the cell - as well as the cell membrane. There
it sets off a number of biological reactions - increasing
synthesis of both DNA and RNA (and thereby proteins), increasing
cAMP levels (which is an integral part of lipid, glycogen and
sugar metabolism), increasing adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP)
levels (providing more energy for cellular activity), increasing
synthesis of proteins and collagen, increasing cell membrane
permeability, blood and lymphatic vessel vasodilation, and
cellular proliferation. This results in a rapid regeneration,
normalization, and healing of damaged cellular tissue. The light
triggers the rearrangement of cellular metabolism and sets off a
cascade of beneficial effects increasing cellular energy and
health.While
therapeutic lasers have been in use for 35 years, until recently
they were generally limited
in efficacy. Class III Low Power Lasers did not generate the
longer wavelengths of light or power output necessary
to deeply penetrate tissue to produce significant results. The
need for deeper penetration with less superficial absorption
of laser energy coupled with energy output levels has led to the
development of Class IV, or "high-power" therapeutic
lasers now gaining in popularity since being approved by the FDA
in 2007.
Cells and tissues that are poorly perfused as a result of
inflammation, edema, and acute or chronic injury have been shown
to have a significantly higher response to laser therapy
irradiation than normal healthy structures. The delivery
of a high amount of laser energy and its ability to penetrate
deep enough to stimulate these target tissues is the primary
reason why Class IV laser therapy has been associated with much
more positive therapeutic outcomes than the previously available
Class III lasers.
The introduction of a significant amount of energy into tissue
and articular structures within a short period of time leads to
optimal cellular stimulation, enhancing wound healing and
penetrating deep within the tissures to encourage healing within
tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, layers of the skin, joints,
and even the outer (periosteal) layer of bone circulation to the
area increases bringing in more water, oxygen and nutrients.
There is a reduction in inflammation, muscle spasms, stiffness,
and pain
The biologic effects of Class IV laser therapy include:
*
Increased Circulation (angiogenesis): vasodilation and the
formation of new capillaries within
damaged tissues.
*
Immune Stimulation: increased production of
immunoglobulins(antibodies) and lymphocytes (B
and T cells) and delivery to the area.
*
Reduction of inflammation: improved removal of damaged cells.
*
Pain
relief: stimulate the production of endorphins, the body’s own
natural morphine-like
substance which increases the threshold of pain perception.
*
Accelerated Cell Reproduction and Growth: tendons, ligaments,
bone and muscle heal at an accelerated rate
*
Stimulation of Nerve Regeneration
*
Increased Cellular Metabolic Activity
*
Reduced Cellular Metabolic Activity
*
Accelerated
Wound
Healing: Bacterial growth and probably viral reproduction are
inhibited
by exposure to
laser light, making laser treatment helpful in treating
non-healing
wounds, contaminated wounds and burns
*
Stimulation
of
Acupuncture
Trigger
Points
When
treating
acute
injuries,
the
aggressive
application
of
laser
therapy
will
speed
healing
and
reduce
complications.
Chronic conditions may
require
frequent
(daily)
treatment
initially
followed
by
a
tapering
maintenance
schedule.
Complete
healing
may
not
always be
possible,
and
for
chronic pain <
relief
the
use
of
laser
therapy
may
replace
treatment
with
steroidal
and
nonsteroidal
pain
medications which
can
have
serious deleterious effects on
organ
function
when
used
chronically.
The
effect
is cumulative
however,
so
that
the
interval
between
treatments can
often
be
extended.
Treatments are
painless,
although
the
animal
will
experience
a
warming
sensation.
Animals
usually
relax
and
may
even
fall
asleep
during
sessions.
Anxiety
and
aggression
resulting
from
pain
will
be
relieved.
Applications for
Class IV
Laser
Therapy
include
wound
care
(surgical
incisions,
contaminated
wounds and
abrasion
burns,
chronic anal
sac
infection,
perianal
fistulas),
dermatologic conditions (acral
lick
dermatitis,
pyoderma
(hot
spots),
allergies,
acute
and
chronic
ear
infections),
musculoskeletal
disorders (degenerative
joint
disease,
intervertebral
disc
disease,
hip
and
elbow
dysplasia,
tendon
and
ligament
injuries,
trauma,
fractures,
arthritis),
neurologic disorders (peripheral
nerve
injuries,
paralysis,
degenerative
myelopathy),
gingivitis,
ulcerated
mucous
membranes,
and
pain
management.
It
should
not
be
used
to
treat
animals
with
cancer
as it
can
promote
conditions in
which
the
cancer
could
grow
or
spread,
and
should
not
be
used
around
the
eyes.
Laser
therapy
can
improve
the
quality
of
life
for
animals with
chronic pain,
and
can
give
senior
pets a
new
lease
on
life
and
delay
euthanasia.
They
may
begin
to
offer
puppy
like
behaviors again.
It
can
also
be
used
to
treat
subtle
lameness for
improved
performance
in
working
and
show
dogs.
Reported
success rates seem
to
be
about
90%
with
the
most
dramatic cases
going
from
complete
immobility
to
being
able
to
function
normally
and
free
of
pain.
In
most
cases the
first
session
will
tell
you
whether
laser
treatment
will
be
successful
in
chronic cases,
but
further
improvement
is to
be
expected
with
subsequent
sessions.
Veterinarians using
lasers report
finding
more
and
more
cases that
respond
positively,
so
the
list
of
uses is constantly
expanding.
I
also
know
of
some
owners who
were
so
impressed
with
the
difference
laser
treatment
made
for
their
Beardies that
they
have
sought
laser
treatment
for
themselves!
