Ten years ago if you asked me about "laser treatment", I would
have pictured in my mind a Jedi Knight using a lightsaber in a battle with a
bad dude from the dark side!
However, fast forward ten years and courtesy of my job and
my own personal experience, I have learned a lot about the medical benefits of laser
technology. So when it was suggested
that Spike underwent laser treatment to help his medical conditions we had no
hesitation in agreeing for him to be zapped by lasers….
Laser treatment works by applying red and near infra-red
light over the injury/ site being treated.
The light beams stimulate the cells in the body that reduce pain and
inflammation and to repair damaged tissue.
This form of treatment is non-invasive and offers drug free
pain relief and enhanced healing of injuries.
Some of the benefits of using laser light to treat injuries:
Anti-inflammatory
Rapid cell repair
Enhanced healing of wounds
Reduces the formation of scar tissue
Increases blood flow to the injury site
Nerve function stimulation
Spike has benefited greatly from acupuncture and laser
treatment, both of which have been performed by Shelley. Shelley is Spike’s special guardian angel and
it is delightful to see his face light up and his whole body tremble with
excitement every time he sees her.
Thanks to Shelley, Spike was also introduced to the
wonderful world of hydrotherapy at Top
Dog Hydrotherapy.
Shelley uses a Class 3B level laser to treat her patients. A small handheld device that is positioned
over the treatment area and can be done in whatever position the patient is
comfortable in. Spike lies down when he
is being treated and looks very much like he is sleeping as the laser works on
his cells.
Krofti our 14 year old Siberian Husky has also been
receiving treatment from Shelley via acupuncture and laser therapy. After treatment he is extremely relaxed and
sleeps through most of the night. On the
days he is not treated Krofti is very agitated and anxious several times
throughout the night, which results in everyone else in the house being
deprived of much needed sleep!
(Thanks to Spike the patient, Vet Shelley and Ian for the photos and words for this article)
