Laser therapy for pain

[Maria]

Has anyone had this? I was in the Veterinarian office yesterday and a gentleman was bringing his dog in for treatment that has osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. He said it has made a huge difference than before the treatment started.

I read here and there about laser spine surgery so I'm just wondering about laser treatment non surgical for pain either arthritic or other.

Anyone?

thanks, Maria

[mmglobal]

Is there such a thing as a 'third-party' placebo effect? When they give a dog a sugar pill, does it make the owner feel better?

OK, enough snarky comments. I wonder if the 'laser treatment included another sort of treatment like a steriod injection?

Mark

[Maria]

Yes I think if the pet feels better so does the owner.. though actually I asked the Vet about the laser treatment and he said he was just doing the laser treatment for some animals and their owners reported marked improvement as exhibited by greater ease of mobility, more mobility, and overall improvement in behavior. Sounds like pain relief to me .. woof woof

[mmglobal]

what do they laser?

[Maria]

He showed me an example of passing the wand over a joint that was painful to the dog. Not touching it just passing it over. So essentially he says he does it for arthritic joints and for hip and spine conditions that aren't surgical but are degenerative.

[mmglobal]

Sounds like hocus pocus to me... the laser may warm the area (like a wet rag would), but the laser does not make it to the joint... even if it does, does it 'undegenerate' it?

[John Galt]

Pet Arthritis: Laser Therapy Staves Off Arthritis of Dogs and Cats - ABC News

check this out. The vet is this clip used it on his own back and claims it worked.

[mmglobal]

Thanks John... maybe it was the Beyonce that helped the mutt?

I sure hope that one day, I'll discover that all my skepticism is misplaced. I will say that I've seen some pretty amazing recoveries from treatments that make no sense to me. Whatever works!

Mark

[Maria]

To me I'd try it. It's for pain relief not to "un-degenerate" anything. I believe there is something like this for humans as well called low level laser therapy or some such thing.