Woo Hoo!  Just got my Laser Acupuncture therapy unit. (LLLT = Low Level Laser Treatment)
So excited to have one more ‘tool’ in my toolbox for hurtin’ horses!  🙂

Ah — so now you ask — what IS Low Level Laser Therapy?

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is gaining increasing acceptance in conventional veterinary practice (as a therapy for tissue trauma, wounds, granuloma, myositis, tendinitis etc). Cold (soft) lasers are available as robust, portable instruments. They are operated by batteries or by mains electricity.
LLLT also is used instead of needles in veterinary acupuncture (AP) to stimulate the acupuncture points (APs) and Trigger Points (TPs) in animals but there are few published studies to date. Commercial interests claim excellent results in a wide variety of clinical conditions. Russian and German workers have used LLLT at the human APs for many years. Since 1984, there are many papers on the method in humans (Rogers 1991g).
The history, theoretical uses and physics of laser are discussed in detail in Pontinen’s textbook (1995).
Though laser light is emitted in a continuous wave (cw) beam, it can be interrupted (modulated) at variable frequencies and intervals by mechanical or electronic means. Interruption of the light beam at fixed intervals is called pulsing. Pulsed lasers, especially those interrupted 2000-10000 times/second (Hz), penetrate deeper in tissue than unpulsed lasers.
LLLT has some advantages over needling or point injection in AP or TP therapy:
* It is aseptic, non-invasive, painless and, if used properly, has no reported side-effects. The probe is held within 0-5 cm from the skin and the light is aimed at the point.
* It is ideal for use on painful (AhShi) points or in nervous/difficult animals. Children and cats tolerate LLLT very well.
* It may be used safely on dangerous points in large animals (such as points below the carpus and tarsus of cattle and horses).
* It is ideal for treatment of superficial APs, such as those on the ear.
LLLT usually is given on 2-8 occasions, at intervals of 1-3 days in acute cases and 3-7 days in chronic cases.

I’m excited to be able to integrate this with my Hoofcare and my Bodywork for horses.

http://www.alternativevet.org/laser.htm tells more in depth information on LLLT

Laser Acupuncture uses NO needles, has been shown to stimulate the acupoints even more effectively than needles to improve energy flow, is totally painless and safe to use and most effective with nervous or difficult animals.  There is no increase in temperature from the low level laser and most treatments take 5-10 minutes per region treated.

In simple terms on a purely physical level, low level lasers increase blood flow by dilating blood vessels and stimulating formation of new capillaries. The laser also dilates lymphatic vessels. Together, this speeds healing by delivering nutrients and oxygen, while enhancing removal of damaged cells and debris. Treatment increases cellular energy production.  Nerve growth in particular is stimulated by laser light, and damaged nerves regenerate more quickly with treatment. Laser light also stimulates release of the body’s own pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins.

This therapy can easily be integrated into conventional veterinary care.

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