Therapeutic Laser Therapy

Therapeutic Laser Therapy (TLT) is a scientifically and clinically proven therapeutic modality that uses light of different wavelengths (photons of light) to stimulate positive changes inside the cells of damaged tissues. The result of this interaction causes:

Promotes cell proliferation
Significantly reduces wound healing time
Reduces tissue inflammation and swelling
Provided analgesia and pain relief
Antibacterial activity reduces infections

We consistently see wounds healing 30-50% faster than the normally expected healing time frame.
Increases blood supply and oxygen delivery to tissues.
Provides significant pain relief.
Increases lymphatic drainage to decrease tissue swelling and inflammation.
Antibacterial - kills bacteria in wounds and on the skin surface

TREATMENT OPTIONS

IN-CLINIC PATIENTS

TLT is used in all facets of our clinical work, for all animals, small and large.

Wound care in any animal, cruciate injuries in dogs, or tying up in horses are just a few examples where TLT can be applied. HIRE UNITS are available for our own clients; animals can be treated at home, reducing vet clinic visits.

OUT-CLINIC PATIENTS

Dr Joan provides TLT treatment sessions for outside Veterinary Clinics.

We can visit your clinic to treat your patients at a pre-arranged time.

WILDLIFE CLINICS

Dr Joan can provide voluntary work for Wildlife Veterinary Clinics, where

TLT sessions will be provided for FREE. The rapid wound healing provided by TLT is especially useful for wildlife, where reducing time in captive care is ideal.

EQUINE SPORT & RACEHORSES

TLT is especially useful to provide accelerated wound care for Equine sport horses to allow efficient injury repair, reduced downtime, and rapid return to work.

Horses can be treated as clinic patients, or sessions can be arranged at your regular veterinarian's clinic. Trainers are welcome to contact us directly.

For more information, contact:

Dr Joan Deetman M: 0407 774 595

E: silversonvethospital@gmail.com

How does TLT work?

In TLT, the laser we use is a Class 1 Therapeutic laser that is completely safe (see Classification of Lasers below). The laser delivers light of different wavelengths, pulsed very quickly into the tissues. The quick pulsing of light ensures no heat is produced. (Heat would only damage tissue cells).

The different wavelengths of light include:

infrared (not visible)wavelengths at 780-950 nm, penetrating up to 10 cm deep into tissue, through to muscle & bone
red (visible ) wavelengths at 600-700 nm that penetrate up to one cm into superficial tissue and skin
blue light wavelengths, which are antibacterial

When the photons of light penetrate the tissue cells, they cause changes within the cell mitochondria, which are the "powerhouses" of the cell. The effect causes the mitochondria to produce more fuel for the cell. With more fuel (ATP), the cell works harder and faster, causing faster tissue healing.

“Photobiomodulation” (PBM) is the term applied to this therapeutic effect on cells. PBM is a non-thermal process; there is no need for heat to produce PBM. PBM cannot occur with excessive heat. With excess heat, cell death (apoptosis) and tissue damage will occur.

In addition to PBM, the following occurs:

Increased blood flow. Blood vessels are stimulated to dilate, increasing blood supply and oxygen-carrying capacity to the tissues.
Increased lymph flow. Dilation of lymphatics allows the reduction of tissue swelling.
Pain relief. There is a direct effect on pain sensation and neurotransmission, downregulating pain transmission.

ABOUT LIGHT WAVELENGTHS

INFRARED - 780 - 950 nm - not visible; penetrates 10 cm - through muscle & to bone

RED LIGHT - 600-700 nm - visible; penetrates up to 1 cm, just through the skin

BLUE LIGHT - 450nm - visible; antibacterial on the skin surface

The Laws of Physics dictate how deep light penetrates into tissue.

Visible Red Light, such as in LED Red light tools (often sold in mats or torches with low battery power), only penetrates tissue superficially, down to 1cm (i.e. only affecting the skin).

TLT combines light of different wavelengths, with a 200 amp pulsing power source, that can penetrate tissues up to 10 cm. (ie can reach well below the skin, into tendons, ligaments, muscle and bone.) By pulsing the light very, very quickly no heat is built up, so this is a very safe, effective treatment.

The special properties of Blue Light (450 nm) kill bacteria by causing cytotoxicity in bacteria. Blue light is proven to be effective against drug-resistant bacteria eg MRSA. IN TLT, Blue light can be used to kill bacteria in circumstances such as treating a wound before suturing the wound or assisting antibiotic therapy to treat infected wounds.

THE CLASSIFICATION OF LASERS IS BASED ON HAZARD RATING - NOT EFFICACY

Lasers are classed according to their safety. Not all “lasers” are the same or achieve the same results. Just as different medications have different effects, different lasers have different effects depending on the power, wavelength, exposure time, frequency of exposure, and the way it is administered.

Class 1 lasers are the safest; can be used on all animals for a multitude of conditions in any indoor or outdoor environment and do not require hazard safety wear. TLT described in this article, is delivered by the safe Class 1 Multiradiance Shower Laser.

Class IV lasers are capable of extensive eye & tissue damage and require special safety equipment, goggles, specially built rooms to use them in, and certification for use. Class IV lasers only deliver one wavelength of light at very high power and cannot produce PBM as too much heat is generated and the light cannot reach deep into tissues without cell death through tissue damage. Surgical lasers are very high-powered to cut through tissue; these lasers are not Therapeutic Lasers.

Benefits of Therapeutic Laser Therapy

Safe for all animals
Non-invasive (no needles)
Effective on a multitude of conditions
No sedation
No clipping of hair
Use in any location
Clients can hire units
FEI & Olympic committee approved for competition
Increase healing rates, decrease time out of work, decrease rehabilitation times & time in vet care or captivity.
Early restoration of biomechanical function
Very affordable

Specific Conditions in Horses

Wound healing
Muscle conditions - Tying up
Pain management – back & neck pain, pulled muscles, muscle tears, post injury
Tendon/ligament injury – acute injury; following Regenerative therapy e.g. stem cell
Physical Therapy before/during/after competitions.
Joint conditions – TMJ, swollen joints, sacroiliac injury
Nerve pain – chronic neuropathy
Corneal ulcers (Blue light)
Wound management – cellulitis; post-surgery conditions; decrease swelling & scar
Infection control (Blue light)

Case examples:

This deep chest wound received 4 x TLT treatments over the course of 9 days. The wound was initially approx. 10 x 10 cm deep.

Muscle Therapy

Tendon & Ligament Therapy

Therapeutic Laser Therapy for Equine Competitors

All athletes, human or horse, strive to stay healthy & focused. Managing fatigue and injury is an important part of staying competitive, keeping the horse in work and maintaining peak performance. As an Equine Sports Medicine Vet and a competitor, Dr Joan is well aware of the trials and tribulations of equine competition. That is why we take every advantage of technology to keep our sport horses at peak performance.

Treatment options for horses actively competing can be limited yet with the TLT being FEI & Olympic committee approved for use Pre/During/Post competition, we have an extremely useful tool to treat the inevitable injuries that arise in competition.

Treating conditions at Competitons

Competition Legal in FEI & Racing.
- Tying Up
- Muscle sprains
- Knocks & swellings
- Shin sore

Tying Up - Rapid Resolution of Rhabdomyolysis

SMALL ANIMALS:

Arthritis

Ligament injuries eg Cruciate ligaments - we have many dogs with mild-moderate cruciate ligament injuries that have undergone significant healing with long-term positive effects, avoiding surgery.

Ear conditions

Eye injury

Dental conditions

Infection control

Cellulitis and Wound Management

Post-surgery use

HIRE UNITS AVAILABLE

TLT hire is available for small animal owners to use for the ongoing treatment of their pets at home. These easy-to-use handheld lasers are extremely safe, with no side effects, no sedation required, no hair clipping required and the treatment is non-invasive (no needles).

Clients will be instructed in the use of TLT and given a written treatment plan including a “Pain Map” that records observable results. Patients receive a loading dose of TLT that is continued at home on a specific protocol (Time/Frequency/Duration of treatment) according to the patient’s condition.

Communication with the vet continues during treatment by phone or email and sequential photographs may be taken and sent to the vet electronically.

Best of all – the treatment is extremely affordable for everyone.

Small animal case examples

Dental conditions and stomatitis

Arthritis - treat at home

WILDLIFE -mammals, birds, reptiles.

Dr Joan can provide voluntary work for Wildlife Veterinary Clinics, where

TLT sessions will be provided FREE of charge. The rapid wound healing provided by TLT is especially useful for wildlife, where reducing time in captive care is ideal.

TLT can be used in all environments; no special licenses or buildings are required. Animals can be treated in their own paddocks or yards, provided suitable confinement, handlers, and restraint are available.

Cases suitable for TLT (not exhaustive)

All stages of wound care.
Soft tissue injury – superficial & deep trauma; contusion, bruising, crush injury, tissue tearing, web injury, tail tip injury.
Hard tissue injury – fracture, microfractures, bone bruising
Tendon and ligament injury – cruciate disease, sprains, limb entrapment.
Limb entrapment, entanglement injuries; acute and chronic injuries with lacerations, infections, and significant limb swelling.
Neurological disease and nerve injury
Intervertebral disc disease; arthritis; chronic pain.
Dental disease, stomatitis; infected tissue; pododermatitis.
Burn trauma, thermal injury
Use of TLT can often reduce the amount of pharmaceuticals required, especially NSAID.

CASE EXAMPLES

• Pododermatitis – improved blood supply, reduced swelling, wound resolution, especially deep, chronic infection, analgesia, and improved comfort, reduction in need and time required for dressings.
• Bobtail injuries (dog bites, wounds) – in a clinic scenario, can treat several animals efficiently in a short time frame. The TLT we use includes Blue Light photons, which are antibacterial.
• Seabird injuries – hook wounds (superficial, deep); these should respond very positively with rapid healing rates. General body inflammation should also respond rapidly.
• Rhabdomyolysis – Capture Myopathy. The therapy provides a rapid decrease in muscle swelling, significant analgesia, rapid clearing of myoglobinuria, and thus kidney protection. We also use it prophylactically due to the inherent effects of TLT on the production of mitochondrial ATP in cells.

EMAIL US ABOUT TLT