Download Low Level Laser Therapy/”Cold” Laser therapy

Low Level Laser Therapy/”Cold” Laser therapy
What is a Class IIIb Low Level Laser?
There are five classes of lasers and they are classified based upon power. Think of laser power as you think of roller skates, scooters,
cars and jet planes. Your pen laser has very little power (Class I) and a surgery laser (Class V) which can cut tissues has a lot! The
Class IIIb has just enough power to affect tissue in a positive manner without causing harm.
How does the therapy laser work?
The probe releases light energy in the form of photons into the patients skin at a specific wavelength in order to activate beneficial
enzymes and cellular processes within the lymphatic system, skin, muscle, tendon, and ligaments. As these photons are released
into the tissues, therapeutic effects are experienced by the patient. The Thor Low Level Therapy Laser can treat edema, lick sores,
skin infections, soft tissue injuries, joint related injuries, neck, back and vertebral column injuries, post-surgical pain management,
tendonitis, scar tissue, chronic osteoarthritis, trigger points, and muscle spasm just to name a few.
Are there any side effects from using a therapy laser?
A Class IIIb laser is considered a non-significant risk device by the FDA. It does not heat the tissues and is therefore safe to use on
healthy and damaged tissues. Shaving your pet is not necessary but in patients with long dark fur, there can be some heating effects
because dark hair absorbs the laser light faster than the skin beneath does. These effects are non-painful and are often more
offensive to the owner and practitioner. Caution is taken to move the probe around more frequently and wet the fur down to avoid
any undesirable effects.
In some rare cases (primarily in those patients suffering from chronic conditions) a patient may appear more painful the first day
after an initial treatment. This is due to the sudden increase of the body’s healing mechanisms and the individual reacts to the
sensations. This phenomenon is actually a sign of success and dissipates within 24 hours.
Re-injury is a very common side effect during laser treatment. Often one laser treatment will provide results eliminating pain and
the patient will participate in an activity and re-injure the site. Exercise restriction MUST continue throughout treatment until it is
certain the tissues have healed properly.
Using a therapy laser over or near cancerous areas is controversial and must be discussed with the providing oncologist and pain
management provider. Laser therapy for a patient undergoing cancer treatments is aimed towards pain management in other areas
of the body and not necessarily the cancerous region itself.
A therapy laser is never pointed in the eye, placed over a pregnant uterus, used over actively bleeding regions, or used in
conjunction with areas treated with Betadine, DMSO, cortisone or other photosensitive chemicals.
How much does a therapy laser session cost?
Laser treatments are included in the time already scheduled for outpatient therapies (hydrotherapy, therapy exercises)
unless your pet is ONLY coming for laser therapy. In those cases Laser therapy is individually charged for according to
our current “Menu” of services.
How many treatment sessions can I expect?
In general for a patient to receive positive benefits from the therapy laser, they should expect to come twice weekly for 10-14 days,
then once a week for 2-3 weeks. Some patients eventually benefit from once yearly treatments and others with chronic conditions
need to come once a month. Treatments schedules are based on clinical signs and amount of supplemental medications required to
remain comfortable.
How long does a laser therapy session last?
It depends on the area (measured in square centimeters) and the type of condition being treated. Chronic conditions usually require
slightly prolonged treatment sessions because many different areas of the body are being addressed. In general a therapy session
should be no longer than 15-20 minutes.