What is therapeutic laser?

Laser therapy is the use of light energy to induce your body’s own natural ability to heal. This benefits of laser are best suited for conditions that are swollen, inflamed, infected, or painful. Laser therapy is a great drug-free treatment option for pets with arthritis. This can reduce the number of NSAIDs (Rimadyl, Meloxicam, etc) or other pain medications needed to keep our pets comfortable as they age and have difficulty moving (or if they have a condition such as hip dysplasia, etc).

A therapeutic laser works by emitting light energy which penetrates in to the affected tissues and causes the mitochondria of the cell to increase production of energy by bringing in more oxygen and removing waste products more quickly and efficiently . The process is called photobiomodulation (in case you are looking for the $10 word to use at your next party). It is a safe, painless, and effective means of decreasing inflammation without the use of drugs. The video below is a detailed animation explaining the mechanism of action of this treatment modality.

Common uses for laser therapy include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Sprain/strain
• Hip/elbow dysplasia
• Joint pain
• Intervertebral disc disease
• Neck pain
• Post-surgical swelling
• Lick granulomas
• Ear infections
• Hot spots
• Non-healing wounds
• Edema
• Dermatitis

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