Taking the Laser Focus off Laser in Canine Rehabilitation
Laser therapy is often used as a part of the canine rehabilitation process to treat a number of ailments, including arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and soft tissue injuries, among others. By using specific wavelengths of light, laser acts at the cellular level to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal, promoting reduced inflammation, swelling, and pain. This is wonderful, of course, because we as canine rehabilitation specialists, along with pet parents, want our pups to feel good! But should laser be used as the sole treatment in providing a long-term solution to our pups’ ailments? The short answer is usually no.
Like other modalities, such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation (or TENS) for humans, laser is just one piece of the larger rehabilitation puzzle. For a person with shoulder impingement, for example, treating the shoulder with only ultrasound may certainly help reduce pain in the short term, but without addressing areas of weakness or lack of mobility or flexibility, the person will continue to be at risk of further injury (and return of pain)!
This is why it is important to use laser in conjunction with other therapies as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan. By using laser to provide short-term relief, the dog will then be comfortable enough to participate in a progressive exercise program. This is the long-term solution for our pups’ ailments! We as canine rehabilitation specialists empower pup parents to take control of their canines’ care in a proactive way through a home exercise program that goes beyond the last day of formal physical therapy treatments. This way, pup parents can keep their furry loved ones as happy, comfortable, and mobile as possible for as long as possible. And the great news is that it is never too late to start!
Laser, just like the underwater treadmill as discussed in a previous post, can be wonderful to include as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program for both acute and chronic injuries. Laser treatment is soothing, non-invasive, and relatively quick in its application (usually 5–15 minutes per session). But more often than not, using it without addressing the underlying impairments contributing to pain in the first place is only doing our pups a disservice. Yes, it may require a little more effort on the part of the treating rehabilitation professional and pup parent, but it is so worth it to see our dogs happy and healthy. They deserve the best, and it’s up to us to give it to them!
~TheK9PT
Dr. Francisco Maia, PT, DPT, CCRT
In collaboration with:
Dr. Aliya Bahjet, PT, DPT
Professional Writer and Physical Therapist