A Little History

Cold Laser Therapy has been used in clinical practice all around the world for over four decades. In 1916, Albert Einstein conceived the theory of Light Amplification through Stimulated Emission of Radiation or LASER. In 1967, Professor Endre Mester began using low power lasers in medicine and therapy for humans and animals in Hungary. 

Since 1967 there have been over 2,500 clinical studies published worldwide. Many of these studies are double-blinded, placebo-controlled and have demonstrated cold laser therapy to be a proven method for pain relief and have assisted in the healing process. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not clear any lasers above 500 mW of power until 2004. 

     The F.D.A classifies medical lasers into three categories:

Class 4 Surgical Lasers   - Class 3B Low-Level Lasers - Class 4 Low-Level Lasers 

The difference in these classifications is; Class 4 Surgical Lasers are used to cut, coagulate, and vaporize tissue. This is different from Class 3B and Class 4 non-surgical or low level lasers, which are painless, non-burning, and non-cutting forms of lasers. Class 3B or Class 4 Low Level Lasers do not have the intensity to damage cells. Class 3B lasers help heal superficial wounds and conditions and will typically not penetrate below the skin’s surface. However, Class 4 low level lasers have the ability to penetrate and assist in the healing process of deep tissue, joints, and muscles.

How Low Level Laser Therapy Works

The laser is placed directly over the injured area for 30 seconds to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the dose provided by the laser unit.

During this time, the non-thermal photons of light that are emitted from the laser, passes through the skin layers (the dermis, epidermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin). This light has the ability to penetrate 2 to 5 centimeters below the skin at 90mW (milliwatt), in comparison my laser probes are 750 mW and 3000 mW, which can reach much deeper. 

Once the light energy passes through the layers of skin and reaches the target area, it is absorbed and interacts with the light sensitive elements in the cell. This process can be compared to photosynthesis in plants - sunlight is absorbed by plants, which is then converted to usable energy so that the plant can grow. 

When cells absorb this light energy, it initiates a series of events in the cell that is theorized to eventually result in normalizing damaged or injured tissue, a reduction in pain, inflammation, and an overall reduction in healing time by increasing intracellular metabolism.

Healing Properties 

Laser Therapy can accelerate healing and improve the repair, regeneration and remodeling of tissue in the horse. 

Some uses for this therapy are; wound healing, pain management, decreased pain, increased wound healing, tendon/ligament injuries, muscle tears, neurologic injuries, stimulation of acupuncture points, decreased inflammation, increased strength of tendon/ligament, cell growth, reduction of fibrous tissue formation, increased vascular activity, stimulated nerve function and has the ability to diminish some infections. 

Advantages Over Other Modes of Therapy

Laser therapy has been found to offer superior healing and pain relieving effects compared to other electrotherapeutic modalities, especially in the early stages of acute injuries, and for chronic problems. Low-level lasers can also be used for Acupuncture Point stimulation. 

Laser therapy is a universal method of treating muscle, tendon, ligament, connective tissue, bone and skin tissue with one simple piece of equipment, however, excellent results are also achieved when it is used to complement other treatment modalities, such as ice for acute injuries, or shockwave for more chronic conditions.

The portability and diversity of battery and mains-powered diode laser systems allows treatment to be carried out in clinical, hospital, and field locations. This opens up possibilities for the immediate and therefore more effective treatment of sporting and athletic injuries, such as muscle tears, haematomas, and tendinopathies.

This applies equally to the use of LPT, which has applications in both large and small animal physiotherapy for both performance and companion animals. It is especially popular in the treatment of competition horses, racing greyhounds and agility dogs.

It is an attractive form of treatment for both human and animal athletes, especially those involved in professional sports, due to the prospect of shorter recovery and lay-off times. Importantly for athletes, laser therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free modality that can be applied on competition day without risking disqualification by drug-vetting tests.