Penetrating Laser Therapy offers a holistic approach to healing for pets
flickr photo courtesy of jason044
Anyone who has a pet has likely had the experience of monitoring their four-legged friends' minor injuries or painful strains, and for the most part, the body will deal with it on its own, given a little time and/or rest.
When there is a chronic problem, like stubborn wounds or bone injuries that need extra attention, or perhaps when a pet is rehabilitating from injury and the healing process needs a little boost, holistic therapies or treatments can prove to be very useful — especially Class IV Penetrating Laser Therapy.
Treating a pet from a holistic approach might seem a bit unorthodox, but several modalities are used in the mainstream, and being taught as part of the regular curriculum in veterinary colleges, for example, at the University of Florida and Colorado State University.
Dr.Taryn Clark and Dr. Jessica Franklin are both veterinary acupuncturists and elaborate on how Class IV Penetrating Laser Therapy is used in their practice at Ann Arbor Animal Hospital on this week's Ask Your Local Expert segment.
You can read about this and more about pet health on AnnArbor.com's pet section.
Lorrie Shaw is lead pets blogger for AnnArbor.com. Follow her writing and pet adventures around Washtenaw County on Twitter or shoot her an email.
Comments
KathrynHahn
Thu, Apr 7, 2011 : 4:25 a.m.
Actually "Holistic" treatments have been recognized as useful for a long time. I've been using alternative therapies and holistic treatment since the '80's for myself, including chiropractic, and find it very effective. Much better than loads of prescription drugs and unnecessary surgeries pushed by insurance companies and certain Dr's. To bring this type of therapy to pets is not irresponsible, but I think a compassionate approach. Maybe it's just my opinion, but my chiropractor has taught me far more about taking care of my body than my GP.
trespass
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
Is this news reporting? Even soft news should be generally accepted medical/scientific fact not holistic nonsense. It damages the credibility of a news organization.
amlive
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 7:03 p.m.
With all due respect, I smell nonsense and snake oil here, not unlike many other questionable science permeating the field of "holistic medicine". For an alternative view - <a href="http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/05/cold-laser-therapy/" rel='nofollow'>http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/05/cold-laser-therapy/</a> When studies confirming benefits and science of these therapies show up in NEJM, I might start listening. Until then, I have to put this up there with homeopathy (which means I'm sure there's a market for it here in Ann Arbor).