Low-level laser therapy ("cold" laser) is an effective way to reduce pain and inflammation, stimulate healing, and impact performance in equine athletes. Dr. Renschler extensively reviewed the evidence for laser therapy and the details of specific devices, and she uses super pulsed Class IM Multi Radiance Medical lasers. 

 

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How does laser light benefit the body? 

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Light therapy (photobiomodulation) is currently a hot area of research​ for both humans and animals! The evidence is compelling for using laser as an adjunctive therapy for many conditions.

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Scientists have detailed many cellular effects of laser light, leading to such gross effects as:

• Accelerated wound and joint healing

• Decreased pain and inflammation

• Muscle regeneration

• Performance enhancement (strength & endurance sports)

• Decreased edema, joint effusion

• Improved lymphatic drainage

• Inhibition of bronchospasm

• Enhanced stem cell activity

• Reduced recovery time after traumatic brain/spinal cord injury, stroke

 

 

Which equine conditions are treated with laser?

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Just to list a few:

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• Laser acupuncture

• Acute pain/trauma

• Arthritis

• Bone spavin

• Desmitis/tendinitis

• Edema/swelling

• Myofascial pain

• OCD

• Postoperative

• Proud flesh

• Sacroiliac pain

• Sesamoiditis

• Wounds

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Why choose a super pulsed Class IM over a Class III or IV Laser?

 

Class designations for lasers are based on human hazards, correlating with average power output and heat generation.

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          Laser Classes Based on Risk of Ocular Injury

          CLASS IM          Incapable of causing injury unless collecting optics used

          CLASS IIIB         Eye hazard for intra-beam viewing

          CLASS IV           Eye and skin hazard for both direct and scattered exposure

 

The Class IV lasers have been viewed by some as necessary to achieve deep tissue penetration and shorter treatment times. That, unfortunately, comes with a risk of retinal damage, accidental skin burns, and inability to use the laser in public spaces (disallowed at many horse shows). 

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The super pulsed Class IM lasers turn on and off thousands of times per second, thus producing a low average power but a high peak power. No safety glasses are required, and the devices can be used at horse shows.

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Is laser therapy the same thing as LED or red light treatment?

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    No. All light can provide some photobiomodulation effect, and the Multi Radiance laser device does contain LED light in addition to the laser. For very superficial conditions such as skin wounds, there is a benefit from LED light alone. However, laser is needed to penetrate the beam into deeper tissues.  The "red light" devices will have a minimal benefit on muscle, bone, tendons, nerves, etc.

 

     Many factors need to be considered in laser therapy, including frequency, wavelength, treatment time, and potential for heat generation. Treating with too high of a dose can negate the benefit (or cause burns or ocular injury if a Class IV laser is used). Using the wrong frequency, time, or wavelength will be ineffective. There is a widespread lack of understanding of these factors, even among veterinarians and therapists in the equine community. 

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