Defying the conventional to provide only the best therapies for your pet: Laser, acupuncture treatment 101
At Cornelius Pet Hospital, we are proud integrative or multidisciplinary care providers. We believe that a multi-modal approach is better than one. Our commitment to providing the best therapies for your pet shows in our capabilities, technologies, and unique practices. These services include laser therapy and veterinary acupuncture, the latter of which is administered by a certified veterinary acupuncturist, our own Dr. Elise LaFevre.
How do lasers work in veterinary medicine?
Lasers have been used in medicine for decades. Lasers use the process of photobiomodulation, which is just the medical way of referring to changes in cells and tissues in response to light. When the light from the laser is absorbed by tissues/cells, it activates cellular growth and repair. So, Drs Brandon Heikes and LaFevre use laser therapy to decrease inflammation and pain. Laser therapy supports fast wound healing and repair associated with conditions ranging from chronic arthritis to injuries or trauma of the tendons and ligaments.
Why incorporate laser into your practice?
The laser does not use systemic drugs or surgery, making it a minimally invasive procedure. These procedures are largely associated with fewer risks of side effects and complications and with targeted, precise, and safe therapy. Tissues outside of the treatment area remain intact. Treatments range in time from 15-30 minutes per site. Sessions are usually once to twice weekly. The process is painless; many of our patients seem to enjoy the warm sensation generated by the laser.
How does acupuncture for pets work?
Acupuncture in veterinary medicine is based on the same principles as the acupuncture you may undergo to resolve an array of problems, from stress to musculoskeletal disorders or injuries. Using ultra-thin, sterile needles at precise body points releases beneficial chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These “chemical mediators” are associated with changes in how pets perceive pain and the release of other chemicals that positively influence organ function. Improvements in how these chemicals communicate also trigger a healing process.
How does Dr. LaFevre perform acupuncture treatments?
Dr. LaFevre is among a select group of veterinarians who have obtained certification in acupuncture from Colorado State University. She will gently and carefully insert needles into very precise points of the body. The process is generally well-tolerated, even relaxing, with some patients falling asleep during treatment. The total time it takes to insert the needles and complete treatment depends on factors not limited to the technique used and the condition being treated. Since the effects of acupuncture are cumulative, multiple treatment sessions may be required to achieve pain relief and improvements in function and health for those pets with chronic conditions. Depending on how your pet responds to treatment, we can taper those sessions down as needed.
To learn more about how we use these and the array of other cutting-edge services at Cornelius Animal Hospital, just ask us! Our team in Ventura, CA, welcomes your call to (805) 793-1708 and looks forward to speaking with you.
