Here at Barrow Hill Veterinary Centre we can now offer Laser Therapy. Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment using specific wavelengths of light to create therapeutic effects which include pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling.
The laser energy increases circulation, draws water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area which creates an optimal healing environment hopefully leading to restored function and pain relief.
Treatment is painless but your pet may find the heat a little strange. Your pet may also be a little sleepy after his session.
Laser Therapy can be used in conjunction with medications and other therapies and may help to minimise the requirement for long-term pain relief medications – this can be very useful if your pet is experiencing undesirable side-effects from common medications such as gastro-intestinal upset.
Each session will, typically, last between 3 and 8 minutes depending on the area/s needing treatment.
Although an improvement can often be seen after the first treatment, we recommend a multi-visit plan to gain the most benefit.
Talk to one of our veterinary surgeons if you feel that your pet may benefit from Laser Therapy.
Remember; there is no sedation or restraint required for Laser Therapy. It is totally non-invasive.
Pet Owner FAQ's
How often should a patient be treated?
Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week, tapering to once every week or two as improvement is seen.
How many treatments does it take?
This depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions 1-2 treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require 5 to 8 (or more) treatments. Some conditions may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.
How long before the results are felt?
Your pet may feel improvement in their condition (usually pain reduction) after the first treatment. Sometimes they will not feel improvement for a number of treatments. This does not mean that nothing is happening. Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 3 or 4 sessions.
Can it be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment
Yes! Laser Therapy is often used with other forms of therapy, including physical therapy, massage, soft tissue mobilisation and following surgery. Other healing modalities are complementary and can be used with laser to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.
How long does each treatment take?
The typical treatment is 3 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.
Does it hurt? What does a treatment feel like?
There is little or no sensation during treatment. Occasionally the patient feels mild, soothing warmth, or tingling. Areas of pain or inflammation may be sensitive briefly before pain reduction.
Are there any side effects or associated risks?
During more than twenty years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have ever been reported. Occasionally some old injuries or pain syndromes may feel aggravated for a few days, as the healing response is more active after treatment.
Has effectiveness been demonstrated scientifically?
Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of Laser Therapy. Among these, there are more than one hundred rigorously controlled, scientific studies that document the effectiveness of laser for many clinical conditions.