Laser Therapy

What is Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to induce a therapeutic effect in the body. In general, laser therapy is used to reduce pain, reduce inflammation, and increase healing in an area.

Laser therapy increases circulation to an area, leading to increased oxygen and nutrient delivery. This creates an optimum environment for healing including a reduction in pain, stiffness, muscle fatigue, swelling, and inflammation. At the cellular level, laser light waves increase metabolic activity, increasing transport of nutrients across cell membranes and increasing production of cellular energy or ATP. This leads to an acceleration of tissue healing in the area.

Laser Therapy Sessions

We schedule sessions for 15 to 30 minutes, but the time for the procedure is usually less than 5-10 minutes per site. Laser therapy is noninvasive and very well tolerated by most pets. Laser therapy does not hurt. Patients will feel mild warmth at the site of treatment.

All of our laser therapy sessions are performed by veterinary technicians and assistants who have received training in laser therapy.

For acute conditions, we recommend therapy every 1-3 days in conjunction with other therapies. Patients with chronic conditions generally have three phases of therapy: a) Induction Phase with treatments every 1-3 days; b) Transition Phase with treatments 1-2 times per week; and c) Maintenance Phase with treatments every 2-6 weeks as needed. The number of recommended treatments will depend on the condition being treated and the individual patient.

Your pet may have a response after the first session. For chronic conditions, several sessions may be necessary before a response is noted. Rarely, you will notice a worsening of your pet’s condition for 24-48 hours after therapy due to the stimulation of blood flow and stimulation of healing in the area.

Benefits of Laser Therapy

• Relieves pain
• Reduces inflammation
• Improves circulation
• Aids in tissue repair and cell growth
• Stimulates acupuncture points
• Accelerates wound healing
• Decreases fibrous tissue formation
• Improves immune system activity
• Improves nerve function
• Increases cellular and metabolic activity

What Conditions Would Benefit From Laser Therapy?

• Abscesses
• Acral Lick Granuloma
• Anal Sacculitis
• Arthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease
• Aural Hematomas or Ear Infections
• Back or Neck Pain
• Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)
• Burns
• Ligament Injuries and Cruciate Ligament Disease (ACL)
• Cystitis or FLUTD
• Pododermatitis
• Hip or Elbow Dysplasia
• Fractures
• Periodontal Disease
• Post-Surgical Pain Relief
• Paralysis
• Hot Spots or Allergic Dermatitis
• Rhinitis or Sinusitis
• Muscle Strains or Sprains
• Trauma
• Wounds

Laser Therapy Services

If you are interested in scheduling laser therapy for your pet, please contact us at (651)-645-2808. Your pet will need to examined by a doctor from St. Francis Animal Hospital in order to create a laser therapy treatment protocol prior to scheduling laser therapy sessions.