I use a CE certified, 5W Class IV GaAIAs diode mixed laser, with dual wavelengths of 650nm & 808nm, that provides high peak power for significant biological benefits, in the most safe & effective way, as part of a multi-modal approach to treatment.

    At a frequency of 10Hz, this laser can be used in continuous mode or pulsed.

    At 650nm, bright red light in the upper range of the visible light spectrum, accelerates surface healing i.e. for wound and skin conditions and neuropathy. Irradiating an area with 650nm, a wavelength that the chromophores melanin in the skin and hemoglobin absorb very well, will ensure a large dose to the superficial regions. Since photobiomodulation can inhibit bacteria and promote cell growth, laser therapy at this wavelength can produce incredible results in pain-relief, wound healing, scar tissue modulation, collagen production, the modulation of inflammation and increased blood flow.

    At 808nm/810nm, powerful invisible near infra-red (NIR) can penetrate deep into tissue, with cellular interaction, increasing ATP production within deeper structures i.e. muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and cartilage. The chromophore cytochrome c oxidase is the target enzyme at this wavelength. It determines how efficiently the cells convert molecular oxygen into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and cytochrome c has the highest absorption peaks at the wavelength 808nm. Photon absorption of powerful NIR light accelerates healing, regeneration and recovery of tissue, provides analgesia, improves circulation and increases cellular ATP production.

    Laser therapy, or photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is a pain-free, non-invasive form of light therapy, that utilises non-ionizing light sources, including lasers and light-emitting diodes, in the visible (400 – 700 nm) and near-infrared (700 – 1100 nm) electromagnetic spectrum, to stimulate tissue repair.

    If you think your horse could benefit from Class IV Therapeutic Laser Therapy, we would love to hear from you!

    Let us give your horse a voice!

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    Clinical Applications

    Photobiomodulation is a powerful tool, that can aid in the treatment of horses, suffering from a range of conditions, including, but not limited to the following:

    • Osteoarthritis
    • Fractures and bone healing
    • Joint issues
    • Degenerative joint disease
    • Pain management
    • Wound healing
    • Skin disorders
    • Abscesses
    • Soft tissue injuries
    • Oedema
    • Post-surgical swelling and recovery
    • Sprains, strains and tears
    • Trigger points and muscle spasms
    • Back pain and spinal disorders e.g. kissing spines
    • Nerve regeneration

    Clinical Benefits

    • Analgesic effect i.e. relieves acute and chronic pain
    • Increases blood circulation
    • Modulates inflammation and reduces swelling
    • Improves vascular activity, with increased formation of new capillaries (angiogenesis)
    • Enhances the repair of tendon and ligament injuries
    • Accelerates tissue repair, cell proliferation and regeneration
    • Accelerates wound-healing
    • Reduces scar tissue formation
    • Soothes muscle tension
    • Improved mobility
    • Enhances muscle fibre pattern alignment and function
    • Enhances nerve function and regeneration
    • Has antibacterial and antiviral effects
    • Increases collagen production
    • Delays the progression of disease
    • Reduces oxidative stress
    • Improves immune function

    What is Photobiomodulation?

    The term photobiomodulation is now being used by practitioners, instead of terms such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), cold laser, or therapeutic laser therapy.

    A laser device with an energy rating of greater than 500mW, is categorised as a Class IV laser. These devices allow for deeper penetration of light photons into tissue, delivering therapeutic doses of near-infrared light energy, to impaired, or dysfunctional tissue, producing beneficial therapeutic outcomes for equine sports injuries, with a shorter treatment period.

    The process is non-thermal, involving endogenous chromophores (substances that absorb light at a particular wavelength). These elicit physiological and biological events, mediated by mitochondrial mechanisms, at a cellular level, that speed up healing.

    Beneficial therapeutic outcomes, include pain-relief, the modulation of inflammation, the promotion of wound-healing, improved mobility, immunomodulation and tissue regeneration.

    How it works

    The primary target for photobiomodulation, is the chromophore cytochrome c oxidase, which is found in the inner membrane of the cell mitochondria. It is a vital component of the electron transport chain, which drives cellular metabolism. As light is absorbed, cytochrome c oxidase is stimulated, leading to increased production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that facilitates energy-transfer within cells.

    Laser stimulation also produces free nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species. Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator and an important cellular signalling molecule, involved in many physiological processes. Reactive oxygen species have been shown to affect many important physiological signalling pathways, including the inflammatory response.

    The production of these signalling molecules, has been shown to induce growth factor production, increase cell proliferation and motility, promotes extracellular matrix deposition and pro-survival pathways. Outside the cell, nitric oxide signalling drives vasodilation, which improves microcirculation in the damaged tissue, delivering oxygen, vital sugars, proteins and salts, while removing waste products.

    Laser therapy is compatible with other veterinary treatments and therapies, that may be required by your horse, including systemic medication and physiotherapy. No sedation is required, it is very well tolerated and the animal’s hair does not require clipping.

    Safety Considerations

    As Class IV lasers have a higher output power, there are additional safety considerations that are strictly followed, when using this modality. Eye safety is a vital consideration, as exposure can damage the retina. Therefore, the laser light should never be directed into an eye. For this reason, the practitioner, the handler and the equine patient, will always wear approved safety goggles, to protect from inadvertent beam reflections.

    Contraindications

    Class IV Laser Therapy will not be carried out, when any of the following conditions are present:

    • Pregnancy – this is a contraindication for all electrophysical agents.
    • Malignancy – There is currently not enough evidence to support the use of photobiomodulation for animal patients with malignancies. However, there are some exceptions i.e. end of life, post-surgical removal of malignancy, where there are complications in wound-healing
    • Other sites in the body, distant from malignant sites – Special consideration can be given to treating other areas in the body, that are distant from an original malignancy. It should be safe, however, there are risks, such as with unknown malignancies, that could be elsewhere in the body.
    • Locally injected medication – Photobiomodulation is never administered over an injection site, until a period of time has passed, to allow for that substance to be absorbed and translocated from that site e.g. for intra-articular joint injections, this is normally 2-3 weeks.
    • Eyes must never be exposed to laser light in the wavelengths of 400-780nm and near-infrared 780-1400nm, as these wavelengths are in the retinal hazard region of the visible light spectrum. Therefore, eye protection is always worn by the therapist, the animal and anyone else in the treatment area. Laser light by reflection, can also cause damage to the eyes, so the treatment area is always scanned for reflective surfaces (mirrors, stainless steel etc) and they are either covered, or removed. Any jewellery that may have reflective properties is also removed, or covered.
    • Hazard to skin – If used incorrectly, Class IV laser therapy does have the potential to cause harm to the animal, through photothermal damage to the skin. That is why we have been extensively trained on all the specific safety features of the unit.

    False Contraindications

    The following have been totally disproved, as false contraindications:

    • Implants – Photobiomodulation at therapeutic wavelengths, does not have a detrimental effect on metal, or synthetic implants, or any suture material. However, the dose will need to be adjusted, where metal implants are close to the surface.
    • Infection – Photobiomodulation is not contraindicated, where a microbial infection is present and it actually improves the immune response to the infection. However, caution should be exercised during application, in order to avoid contamination.
    • Photosensitising medication – There is no evidence of any adverse effects of treatment of photobiomodulation, with medications listed as photosensitisers.

    Precautions

    The following conditions are not absolute contraindications of photobiomodulation, but precautions are always applied:

    • Haemorrhage – As photobiomodulation promotes vasodilation, it is never applied over an actively bleeding site. However, once homeostasis has been restored, once bleeding has stopped and the wound site is stable, it can then be used.
    • Testes and scrotal skin – At therapeutic doses, the testes do not need to be avoided.
    • Active epiphysis – Due to the fact that the epiphysis is a region of rapid growth and dividing cells, prolonged laser treatment over weeks is not recommended, as it has the potential to have a negative effect. However, application over a few days will cause any problems to an active epiphysis.
    • Thyroid gland – Multiple high dose treatments over the thyroid gland, has been shown to have a negative effect and is therefore contraindicated. However, lower doses can increase thyroid function. Therefore, photobiomodulation at low doses, may be indicated for animals with thyroid dysfunction and thyroid related conditions.

    Supportive Veterinary Evidence Links:

    If you think your horse could benefit from Class IV Therapeutic Laser Therapy, we would love to hear from you!

    Let us give your horse a voice!

    CONTACT ME