The most common laser mistakes – #2
Have you ever watched someone pick up a laser they weren’t used to using expecting the same results from their normal go to? Maybe that’s been you.
Different lasers have widely different treatment (dosing) parameters depending on the variables of the laser. Using the wrong dosing unintentionally means your patient isn’t being treated properly. They could get no effect from the treatment, they could fell discomfort or in worst case scenarios, the laser can hurt the patient.
Let’s get into the variables.
The SECOND mistake I see most often is not knowing the variables of the laser.
Hopefully after watching the video your interest is piqued, and you will investigate your laser.
The power of LEDs
LEDs in the 600nm range can be used to heal corneal ulcers, wounds and burns; they can a be great for treating acupuncture points, anxiety and depression, and strokes. They may not, however, perform as well in treating arthritis, according to current research.
High Wavelengths
980 nm wavelength lasers have been shown to have significant effects when treating dogs with degenerative myelopathy and elbow arthritis. In fact, research has shown that when using this wavelength,10-19 J/cm2 had optimum effects when treating elbow arthritis. If you were to use that dosage with some of the other wavelengths there would be deleterious effects.
Considering your patient’s skin color
Melanin has to be considered when treating in the 800nm wavelength range because it absorbs a significant amount of laser photons in the range, and the tissue will heat up more than we want if the appropriate amount of energy is delivered too quickly.
Power with Pulsing
When looking at power of the laser machine, any laser that has 904nm or 905nm will need significant Peak Power. You may see 36 W, 50W, 75W or even 100W of peak power.
That is because in order to deliver this wavelength without severely heating the tissue it, needs to be either chopped (i.e., on 50% of the time, then off 50% of the time), or super-pulsed (i.e., on for nanoseconds, then off for a proportionally longer time). We usually need the least amount of total energy to have a significant effect with this wavelength.
Are you feeling like there is more to using a laser machine than turning it on and pointing at the tissue you want to treat?
There absolutely is!! We want to help you have optimal outcomes with all of your patients, and that comes with a better understanding of what is going on in the tissue and how the laser can affect it. Improving your outcomes leads to happier clients and believe it or not, improved job satisfaction. We have had hundreds of veterinarians take the Optimum Laser Therapy course and rave about how much it has helped them and their patients.
What Others have Said
“Now our team feels very confident, and they are seeing results from the treatments. Thank you Dr. McCauley for offering this course, it has made a huge difference in our use and success of laser therapy.” — Angel Mitchell, DVM, CVA
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