Click on the question to view the answer.
- What is a Laser and how does it differ from daylight?
- What does the phrase Low Level Laser Therapy mean?
- How do you use the laser for therapy? Is it difficult?
- Are there any negative effects from low level laser therapy?
- How long have low level lasers been used for therapy?
- In simple terms, what does low level laser therapy do?
- What is the difference between Lasers and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) and how do these differences affect the success of the therapy?
Why have someone do the treatments for you?
It is wise to have the treatments done for you if you have any time or labour constraints. That way you can be reassured the therapy is being performed. Reduction in drugs and drug costs may also be realized as therapy can provide the analgesic effect as well as reduce inflammation.
What is Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy (PMF Therapy)?
All the cells of the body have a weak, natural electric current flowing through them. The currents are caused by electrically charged particles in the cells called ions. Ions affect the metabolism, or the work of the cell. PMF Therapy is a method of applying a magnetic field to the cell which sends a weak electrical signal, influencing the interaction of the ions, and the flow of nutrients in the cell. Enhanced circulation and nutrient exchange can speed the healing process and reduce down time.
This type of therapy has been used since the 1970's on performance horses, such as show horses and thoroughbred race horses, to treat sore backs, sore muscles and stiff, arthritic joints. Acute and chronic inflammations of the tendons and tendon sheaths are treated by using leggings, and arthritic hocks are treated with hock boots. The newest form of this therapy, the Bio-Pulse ™ Magnetic Therapy System has been available since 1994. Respond Systems' equipment has been sold o over 3,000 veterinarians, owners and trainers worldwide, and is now used by the U.S.E.T.
How is Pulsed Magnetic Therapy Administered?
The animal reclines on the bed or the jacket is placed on the animal. In many cases. Relief is noted after only a week of daily therapy sessions. More severe conditions realize a visible benefit after two to three weeks. Respond Systems' equipment is used by the United States Olympic team horses.
How will my horse or pet feel when using the Bio-Pulse System? Can he be injured?
Most animals doze contentedly while using the jacket or bed. Some will position the injured or sore area so it is right on the Bio-Pulse. Your animal cannot be injured by PMFT since the Bio-Pulse uses weak pulsing magnetic fields to stimulate completely normal cellular reactions. There are no harmful chemicals or after effects. PMFT has been used on the very best race horses and show horses for almost 30 years and is prescribed for non-union fractures in human medicine. No animal or human has ever been injured as a result of this therapy so you can use it with total confidence.
How does Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy differ from magnetic wraps and pads?
- Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy penetrates completely through the joints and muscles. The strength of a magnetic field is directly related to the size and the composition of the magnet, and determines the depth of penetration. When you pulse battery current through the ten coils of the Bio-Pulse blanket, you are turning each coil of wire into a large, pulsing magnet. You can feel the pulsing up to 15 inches away from the coil by holding a test magnet in your hand. Now, hold a test magnet next to a magnetic wrap. You can't even feel it an inch away. In fact, a study conducted by an independent testing laboratory found that at 1/3 inch away from the magnetic wrap, the magnetic field was barely measurable. The Bio-Pulse blanket, with coils located at strategic locations on the horse, provides a strong, pulsing magnetic field that penetrates completely through joints and muscles for a complete therapy in just 30 minutes!
- Time Needed for Therapy. The Bio-Pulse system only needs to be used for 30 minutes each day. This mean that, in the space of one day, you can use the one Bio-Pulse unit for all the horses in your barn. Bi-polar magnet blankets that have the magnets sewn into the sheet must be used for 3-4 days to have even a minimal effect on surface capillaries.
- Published, scientific studies abound for pulsed magnetic field therapy. PMFT has been widely used in the treatment of human delayed union fractures for over a decade, and there is a growing body of literature concerning the biological and clinical effects of this energy. If you ask a magnetic wrap supplier to send you studies, they will send you studies about PMFT, because there is no scientific data concerning magnetic wraps. A recent study using pulsed magnetic fields reminds us that in clinical studies done over 17 years, over 200,000 patients have been treated safely with PMFT. Now you can use this therapy on YOUR horses, too!
What is a Laser and how does it differ from daylight?
A laser is a device that emits a special form of light. The light is special because it consists of light waves of a single wavelength in which all the waves reinforce one another. If you think of heavy surf with large waves breaking on a beach instead of many small waves, you get the sense of COHERENT light, where the waves reinforce one another.
The term LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Radiation in this case refers to the coherent light energy released which produces the laser beam. Normal daylight is incoherent light It consists of all of the colors of the rainbow, with wavelengths from 400 nanometers (nm), where the light is a blue color, to the rich, red wavelengths of 750 (nm). Our therapeutic veterinary lasers generate light at a wavelength of 904 (nm); this means that without special viewing equipment, you cannot see it.
What does the phrase Low Level Laser Therapy mean?
Low level Laser Therapy means the use of low powered laser light, previously referred to as cold lasers or biostimulation lasers to stimulate a biological process. Just as plants exposed to normal sunlight synthesize carbohydrates in their chlorophyll-containing tissues (photosynthesis), laser light stimulates the formation and release of the body's own chemical compounds.
In low level laser therapy, the infrared laser energy has a stimulating effect on tissues because it increases cellular energy. The laser light energy becomes absorbed by the tissues, stimulating their metabolic processes.
How do you use the laser for therapy? Is it difficult?
Treatment is simple and painless. It is similar to holding a flashlight close to the skin and shining the light on it There is no sensation of pain, nor is there an increase in temperature from the laser. Treatment times vary based upon the size of the area to be treated, and the power of the laser. Most treatments take 12-15 minutes, although treating acupuncture points takes only 1-2 minutes for each point.
Our applications guide gives a suggested protocol for common ailments, but professional diagnosis recommended prior to treatment
Are there any negative effects from low level laser therapy?
In all the years that low level lasers have been tested in research and clinical applications, no adverse side effects or negative impacts have been noted. The only safety precaution is that which prohibits direct viewing of the laser beam. Care must be exercised not to stare into the laser beam, and not to point it at the eyes.
How long have low level lasers been used for therapy?
Low level lasers have been used by doctors in hospitals and clinics in Europe on humans and animals since the early I 970' s. In the United States, the use of cold lasers to treat animal ailments started in the late 1970' s. Owners and trainers of race and show horses found it of value to treat problems common to these high performance animals. This therapy has spread to other veterinary disciplines as it becomes better known and understood.
In simple terms, what does low level laser therapy do?
A massive amount of research data has been collected on the effects of laser therapy both in laboratory and clinical settings. If you would like to review this research or learn more, please contact us and we will send you a bibliography of materials on the subject.
What is the difference between Lasers and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) and how do these differences affect the success of the therapy?
Knowledgeable consumers usually ask good questions before they spend their hard earned money on therapy equipment. If you are considering the purchase of a light therapy system, like a laser or an LED system, you should ask as many questions as possible about these systems.
What IS the difference?
- Laser light penetrates deep into the horse's joints and muscle tissue because it is coherent. Coherence is the major difference between laser and non laser systems, and it directly affects ability to penetrate into tissue. LED systems' light is absorbed at the surface of the skin and does not penetrate like laser because it is not coherent. A recent study showed that using a Respond Systems Laser 2400 ultra-wide head, laser light was still measurable after going through 8 inches of tissue; the LED system was not measurable at 1". The laser light penetrated deep into the tissue while the LED light was absorbed at the surface where it generated heat.
- A large number of scientific studies have been conducted with laser therapy. LED studies are almost nonexistent. The LED companies typically will send you articles about LASER therapy when you ask them for information on their LED system. This is very misleading. Respond Systems has cooperated with university hospitals to conduct studies using the Respond 2400 system that demonstrate improved healing. LED companies have not.
- Because of the brilliance of the light emitted from the laser, the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires registration of all laser manufacturers. Because of this, you will know the exact power output of the laser system you are considering buying. The FDA has not required this registration of LED systems due to the non-brilliant nature of the light emitted. The light therapy device marketed by Bio-Scan, the Bio Light and Bio-Cluster, are LED devices. They are not laser devices. In addition, the "Lacer" is not a laser, nor is the CLS ,Cluster a laser. If you are discussing purchase and are confused about FDA registration, ask the company for their FDA registration number.
These differences are important to you when you are trying to treat an injury. Did you know that the type of LED's used in the equine therapy systems cost about $1.50 each at Radio Shack, whereas a laser diode used in the Respond Laser diode system costs about $85 each? You can be certain that the type of light output by these two devices is not the same. If you want a therapy system that can treat surface wounds AND deep injuries, then you need a laser.