Over the last few months, we have been using a new tool for our woofers and would like to share our great experience with it! Red light therapy is a new form of wellness treatment we recently discovered through our friends, @gsp_apolla_artemis and have been incorporating it into our routine for our dogs (mainly Mayson) and have been very happy with results. I'm happy to be offering the service to dogs that would benefit from it in the Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton areas starting this summer! (Please email wooferwellness@hotmail.com should you want to chat about this service more)
What is Red light therapy?
Light therapy is a process where energy (called Photons) is absorbed through your dog's skin and it eaten up by the body's mitochondria (cells that act like a digestive system which takes in nutrients, breaks them down, and creates energy rich molecules). This triggers the cells to produce and release Nitric Oxide, which is an important molecule that signals blood vessels to dilate which creates increased circulation and bring oxygen to the tissues. This creates the process of tissue and cell regeneration.
Benefits include
Increased circulation and more oxygen to reach the tissues
Stimulates the production of collagen to repair joints. Collagen is important for repairing skin and tissues
Stimulates the release of Adenosine Triphosphate which carries energy to the body's cells
Increases the the function of the lymphatic system and reduces swelling
Stimulates the release of endorphins for natural pain relief
Repairs damaged cells by synthesizing RNA and DNA
Helps fight infections by increasing Phagocytes (cells that protect the body by ingesting harmful foreign particles, bacteria, and dead or dying cells)
Increases the growth of granulation (healthy) tissue
Helps to relax the muscles and reduce stress
Light therapy can improve
Soft tissue, ligament and tendon injuries
Inflammation
Strains and sprains
Swelling
Specific joint pain such as arthritis or dysplasia
Wound healing
Post-surgery pain and healing
General maintenance of healthy joints
In 2017 researchers studied (read here) the effects of preoperative red light therapy on dogs undergoing bone surgery. Twenty-seven dogs were divided into two groups, one of which received the red light treatment pre-operatively. Eight weeks after treatments, a greater proportion of the dogs treated with light therapy had healed.
In another study on nerve regeneration, they found that "Red to near-infrared LEDs have been shown to promote mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. In this study, LED irradiation improved nerve regeneration and increased antioxidation levels in the chamber fluid. Therefore, we propose that antioxidation induced by LEDs may be conducive to nerve regeneration."
There are two types of light therapy that occurs during a session:
Visible red light that penetrates tissue to a depth of about 10 mm. Light at this wavelength is very beneficial in treating problems close to the surface such as wounds, cuts, scars and is particularly effective in treating infections
Infrared light that we can't see penetrates to a depth of about 50mm and much deeper which makes it more effective for treating the deeper muscle structures, tendons, ligaments, joints, bones and organs
We started Mayson on sessions in March, and do them on each side of his hips and along the end of his spine where his scoliosis effects him. We saw results within a week or so (daily sessions) and he has gone from his "hip sway" walk (if you have a dog with bad hips you know what I'm talking about) to holding himself better and lifting his hind legs in a more proper gait. He recently had a growth removed and has stitches, and we have been using the light on his surgery site to improve healing and have seen good results there as well. He LOVES his sessions and completely relaxes and lays down for them, the light is very mildly warm.
We use the light from the company "According to Gospel Equine and Canine" and you can read all about them, their lights and more research behind the results on their website here!
For more information on how this therapy can benefit your dog, message me today!