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Last Updated on June 22, 2023 by Thee Puppypreneur
WHAT IS LASER THERAPY FOR DOGS OR RED LIGHT THERAPY FOR DOGS
Red light therapy for dogs (RLT) is a type of Low-level Laser Therapy for dogs (LLLT) and sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably. 1Red Light Therapy Vs. Low-Level Laser Therapy – Laser Cap Me
There are 3 types of infrareds; near infrared, middle infrared and far infrared. 2Near Infrared is great for tissue repair, brain health and more (medicinewithheart.com) Regular red-light therapy that is not infrared can be seen with the naked eye. Near infrared (NIR) goes past the visible spectrum and thus cannot be seen with the human eye. 3What Is Near-Infrared Light? – StoneLock
The regular red-light spectrum falls in between 630–660nm (nm is nanometers) and near infrared (NIR) is 810-850 nm 4Red Light vs. Infrared vs. Near-Infrared: Clearing Up the Confusion (platinumtherapylights.com)
As you progress into higher numbers then you move from near infrared to middle and far infrared and the wavelengths penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin and generate more heat on the body as well.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LASER THERAPY FOR DOGS OR RED LIGHT THERAPY FOR DOGS
Low level laser therapy has many proven benefits from the surface skin level such as with acne or wrinkles all the way down to the bones, tissues and joints.
INFLAMMATION
Typically, inflammation is treated with corticosteroids and long-term use can always produce some unwanted side effects. LLLT has shown benefits in
“stimulation of tissue growth and repair” 5Laser Light Therapy in Inflammatory, Musculoskeletal, and Autoimmune Disease | SpringerLink
This can prove to be beneficial in certain inflammatory conditions.
In fact, if your furbaby has IBD then RLT may provide some relief. Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with inflammation of the intestines, pain and other symptoms.
Red light therapy can potentially aid in healing the gut by aiding in tissue repair and cell rejuvenation. 6Light Therapy Used for Ulcerative Colitis & IBD Treatment – Kaiyan Medical
In a research study red light therapy actually increases good gut bacteria, while decreasing bad gut bacteria. 7How Red Light Therapy Affects Your Gut Health – Recharge Health
JOINTS
In one study done on humans with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee they used red and infrared 2 times a day, for 15 minutes each time and then after 10 days were assessed and there was significant improvement in functional mobility as well as pain reduction. 8Improvement of Pain and Disability in Elderly Patients with Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Knee Treated with Narrow‐Band Light Therapy – Stelian – 1992 – Journal of the American Geriatrics Society – Wiley Online Library
WOUND HEALING
Scientific research has shown that infrared lights can actually speed up the wound healing process such as in the case of diabetic mice where the light actually upregulates specific genes important for wound healing. 9Mitochondrial signal transduction in accelerated wound and retinal healing by near-infrared light therapy – ScienceDirect .
OPTIONS OF LASER THERAPY FOR DOGS FOR PET PARENTS
Whatever your reason or situation is there are an abundance of RLT options from body wraps, to knee braces, to dog harnesses to handheld devices.
I opted to buy this one as it is the most versatile and I am able to wrap this around any part of the body due to the length and others are not as wide or long.
Or there is the hand held version which you have to hold the machine in one area for the full duration like this one for pets
CAUTION
Red light therapy should be used with caution as it has risks involved as with anything. The infrared light has the potential to cause eye damage and could cause cataracts. 10What Is the Best Eye Protection for Your Red Light Therapy? This is where care should be taken for you and your furbaby by wearing eye protection and no regular UV sunglasses aren’t enough to do the job.
I use
and these are also an option for furbabies with smaller eyes
You should also check the temperature constantly throughout the process as pets with no fur, short hair or sensitive skin can have irritation or burns. 11Low-Level Laser Therapy: Potential and Complications – PMC (nih.gov)
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