{"id":447,"date":"2018-02-07T16:53:04","date_gmt":"2018-02-07T21:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com\/blog\/?p=447"},"modified":"2018-02-07T16:53:04","modified_gmt":"2018-02-07T21:53:04","slug":"laser-therapy-in-small-animal-medicine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com\/blog\/laser-therapy-in-small-animal-medicine\/","title":{"rendered":"“Photobiomod-a-what?”"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Angelia Oliverei, LVT\"\"<\/p>\n

An overview of Laser Therapy in Small Animal Medicine<\/h3>\n

Laser therapy has recently become a popular therapeutic modality in both veterinary \u00a0and human medicine. \u00a0Laser therapy has been utilized for pain management since the 1970\u2019s. But what is laser therapy? \u00a0<\/p>\n

What is Laser Therapy?<\/h4>\n

Let\u2019s start with the acronym \u201cL.A.S.E.R.\u201d which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser therapy is a treatment modality that uses variable wavelengths of light, which are absorbed into the body\u2019s cells. Once the light energy is within the cell, a chemical reaction will occur called photobiomodulation. \u00a0\u201cPhotobiomodulation\u201d (photo=light, bio=cell, modulation=change) increases the production of ATP, which is the energy form that cells need to repair or divide itself.\u00a0 Through this process, the body can accelerate its healing time naturally.<\/p>\n

Laser as a Therapy Tool<\/h4>\n

Laser therapy is non-invasive, and can be used as an alternative therapy, or in conjunction, with other treatments for a variety of conditions and disease processes. \u00a0However, not all lasers are the same. There are several \u00a0laser classes which are categorized by the power level of each type.\u00a0 Class IIIb and class IV lasers are the most commonly used medical types of lasers. \u00a0In rehabilitation, we use laser therapy to treat acute pain, post-operative discomfort, inflammation, neurological conditions, chronic conditions, soft tissue injuries, sore muscles, and any type of discomfort or pain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Treatment<\/h4>\n

Laser therapy is administered through a hand piece that admits a red light.\u00a0 This red light is NOT the laser (which is invisible to our visual spectrum), but the color indicator shows us where the laser is being directed.\u00a0 Proper eye protection should be worn at all times by the operator and anyone in close proximity. \u00a0The light energy that the laser therapy gives off provides a warm soothing feeling to the affected area of treatment. \u00a0Many of our patients relax during their sessions, like we would if we were getting a massage. \u00a0Some of our patients even fall asleep!<\/p>\n

In conclusion…<\/h4>\n

Laser therapy is beneficial in a variety of conditions and disease process and have no significant side effects compared to pharmaceutical treatment alone. \u00a0There are some conditions in which laser therapy should not be used and for that reason, it should only be used by medical staff trained in laser use.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Angelia Oliverei, LVT An overview of Laser Therapy in Small Animal Medicine Laser therapy has recently become a popular therapeutic modality in both veterinary \u00a0and human medicine. \u00a0Laser therapy has been utilized for pain management since the 1970\u2019s. But what is laser therapy? \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pawsitive-steps-news"],"yoast_head":"\nLaser Therapy in Small Animal Medicine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Laser therapy has recently become a popular therapeutic modality in both veterinary \u00a0and human medicine. \u00a0Laser therapy has been utilized for pain management since the 1970\u2019s. 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