Laser Therapy
Pets and Their People offers laser therapy to both animal and human clients. Laser therapy is a medication free therapy that can be used to treat a myriad of conditions in human and veterinary medicine. It can be used to complement traditional treatments or as an alternative to medication for many conditions, including arthritis, neurologic conditions, orthopedic conditions, wounds/incisions/scars, allergies, and more. The number of treatments needed depends upon the severity and duration of the condition.
How Laser Therapy Works
Laser therapy works by activating photosensitive molecules in cells’ mitochondria to increase energy output (ATP). This increase in energy output allows the cells to perform whatever the cell does better. Laser therapy is well researched, especially for wound healing and pain. Our lasers have FDA 510(k) clearances for post-operative and musculoskeletal pain, including all nociceptive pain. There is published and ongoing research for many conditions, including neurologic conditions (Alzheimer’s, Autism, stroke, and spinal cord injury), organ failure, infections, and metabolic disease.
The laser classification system is a hazard system designating the hazard level of the laser. There is no correlation with efficacy. “Cold” lasers or healing lasers can be designated as Class 2, 3B, or 4. Class 2 lasers are safe with a 0.25 second aversion response (this is how long it takes to close your eyes). Class 3B lasers are generally considered safe for skin and unsafe for eyes. Class 4 lasers are unsafe for skin and unsafe for eyes, as well as being a fire hazard. According to OSHA, eye protection must be worn when operating a Class 3B or Class 4 laser. Our lasers are class 2 lasers, so eye protection is not needed.
Different wavelengths of light contain different amounts of energy. The smaller the wavelength of light, the more energy it has. Therefore, different wavelengths of light have different effects on the body. Because shorter wavelengths of light contain more energy, less power is needed by the device to have the desired effect in the body. Too much power can be detrimental in the higher energy wavelengths like violet light.
Red and infrared light are the most researched wavelengths of light. They have similar effects on the body, but red is safer, because we can see it and close our eyes, and it does not generate heat. Infrared has the potential to burn, because it generates heat. Infrared light is also not seen by the human eye. Because we cannot see infrared and its potential to burn, all infrared lasers are automatically designated as Class 3B or Class 4 (if they are higher powered). Red and infrared light are well researched for wound healing, decreasing inflammation, and for pain.
Green light is higher energy than red light and significantly higher than infrared light. It is well researched for stem cell proliferation and differentiation, bone healing, modulating immune response, and body sculpting. Green light is especially helpful in bone healing, as stem cells are present in bone marrow and will proliferate and differentiate into osteoblasts which are the mechanism of action for bone healing. It also opens calcium channels in osteoblasts to lay down bony matrices. Green laser has been shown to promote nerve healing. It enhances wound healing, especially when paired with red light.
Violet light (also referred to as blue in the literature) is very high energy, therefore, we do not want to use high power violet devices on live tissues. Violet laser has been shown to increase the release of nitric oxide (NO) levels. Increased NO levels causes parasympathetic vasodilation and increases blood flow to the area of injury. NO release also enhances immune response and has been shown to increase cell resistance to COVID 19 and other viruses. Violet laser has been shown to increase respiration in muscles and can therefore be used to increase athletic performance and/or decrease muscle fatigue. Violet light (405 nm is the most studied) is directly antimicrobial, being shown to kill resistant bacteria (Methicilluin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), b-lactam resistant E. Coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), viruses (COVID 19 and flu), fungi (toenail fungus and ringworm) and helping to break down biofilm associated with bacterial and fungal infection.
Available Types Of Laser Therapy
We have red, green, and violet Class 2 laser therapy available here in the clinic. We also rent out a red (635 nm) laser for in-home use. We have Erchonia lasers. Erchonia Corporation holds 22 FDA 510(k) condition-specific clearances – far more than any other laser company. This means that they have presented the FDA with double-blinded, controlled, multi-centered studies that show their lasers are effective on a specific condition, for example, back and neck pain. This is similar to what drug companies do to get clearances for new drugs. The control used in their studies is an LED light of the same wavelength, so they have to show significantly better results than LED light therapy to get a clearance.
Pets and Their People is located in Traverse City, Michigan if you or your pet is in need of laser therapy, please call and schedule a half-hour laser consultation for more information.