Therapeutic Laser
What is Laser Therapy?
Therapeutic laser (also called photobiomodulation therapy) is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing in damaged, inflamed, or painful tissues. The light energy penetrates the skin and is absorbed by cells, triggering biochemical reactions that help tissues repair, reduce inflammation, and improve comfort.
In veterinary medicine, laser therapy is commonly used to support recovery from orthopedic injuries, manage chronic pain, and accelerate healing after surgery. It is gentle, medication-free, and safe for both dogs and cats.
How Does Laser Therapy Work?
Laser therapy works through a process called photobiomodulation, where targeted light energy affects cellular activity. When laser light reaches the mitochondria (the cell’s energy center), it stimulates natural repair pathways that help tissues function more effectively. These effects include:
Increasing cellular energy production (ATP) to accelerate healing
Improving local blood flow and oxygen delivery
Reducing inflammation by modulating inflammatory mediators
Relaxing tight or painful muscles
Supporting tendon, ligament, and joint tissue repair
Modulating nerve signaling to reduce pain perception
These changes occur at the cellular level but create measurable improvements in mobility, comfort, and function for pets with both acute and chronic conditions.
What Is a Treatment Like? Does It Hurt?
Laser therapy is one of the most comfortable treatments we offer. Pets do not need sedation, and the treatment itself creates a gentle warming sensation. Many pets fall asleep, enjoy treats, or nuzzle into their owner during their session.
A typical session takes 5–15 minutes, depending on the size of the pet and the number of areas treated. Acute injuries may only require a few treatments, while chronic conditions often benefit from ongoing sessions to maintain comfort and function.
Side effects are extremely rare. Mild temporary fatigue can occur, but overall laser therapy is exceptionally safe and well-tolerated.
Most pets show early improvement in comfort, and benefits accumulate over time as inflammation decreases and tissues continue to heal.
Conditions Laser Therapy Can Help With
Laser therapy may be recommended for a wide range of rehabilitation related problems, including:
• Arthritis and chronic joint pain
• Tendon and ligament injuries
• Muscle strains or trigger points
• Postoperative incisions and soft tissue healing
• Wound healing (including slow or non-healing wounds)
• Nerve pain and neuropathy
• Intervertebral disc disease (as part of a multimodal plan)
• Lick granulomas and dermatologic inflammation
• Oral inflammation or dental extraction sites
At Red Sage, laser therapy is often combined with rehabilitation therapies, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and regenerative treatments to create a comprehensive, individualized approach to recovery.
Recent Research and Studies
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Photobiomodulation therapy increases collagen II after tendon experimental injury
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This experimental animal study demonstrated that photobiomodulation increased mesenchymal cell proliferation and collagen type II expression in injured tendons, supporting a biological role in tendon repair processes.
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Low level laser therapy accelerates the extracellular matrix reorganization of inflamed tendon
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In a rat tendon inflammation model, low-level laser therapy promoted alterations in the extracellular matrix, including modulation of matrix components and remodeling activity, indicating that photobiomodulation influences early tendon tissue responses after injury.
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Low level laser treatment of tendinopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis
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This systematic review concluded that low-level laser therapy can be effective for tendinopathy when recommended doses are used, and that positive outcomes were associated with appropriate irradiation parameters (dose/wavelength).
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The functions and mechanisms of low-level laser therapy in tendon repair (review)
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This review summarizes the proposed cellular and molecular mechanisms by which low-level laser therapy may support tendon healing, including cytochrome C oxidase activation, enhanced fibroblast activity, collagen synthesis, and modulation of inflammation across different phases of tendon repair.
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