Laser Therapy Helps Regenerate Nerves

When we see dogs with disc disease and nerve damage, we treat with soft laser therapy (low level laser).  The sooner we see them after injury, the better the response. There’s a new study that explains why these dogs respond and why it’s important to start treatment as soon as possible.

 

The study by the Physical Therapy Dept of Univ of Sao Carlos in Brazil measured cellular response in laser-treated sciatic nerves in rats. The researchers looked at pro-inflammatory factors and extracellular matrix remodelling, and axonal growth markers.

Our canine patients don’t want to read research, they just want results, which means being able to walk normally, wag their tails, control bowel and bladder habits. But if you’re interested in research, check Effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on acute neural recovery and inflammation-related
gene expression after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve. Alcântara CC, Gigo-Benato D, Salvini
TF, Oliveira AL, Anders JJ, Russo TL. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. PMID: 23568823