Laser acupuncture is the technique of applying a specific light energy to acupuncture points and is probably the most significant thing that Modern science has given to acupuncture.  In most cases the Laser will work billiantly, even spectacularly.  In a smaller number of cases, laser therapy has only a minor effect, and for these instances traditional needling is more appropriate course of action.

In horses, it would appear to be the preferred method of choice given it's pain-free characteristic and non-intrusive nature.

Lasers have the ability to accelerate normal healing in diseased and traumatized tissue and to promote healing in indolent situations such as wounds and ulcers.

The Laser has revolutionized the practice of animal acupuncture for several reasons:

• It avoids the slight discomfort to the anial of inserting the stainless steel needles and is virtually painless
• The operator does not have to be as skilled if the animal is not fully cooperating.   With needles you must perform "Accurate-puncture" rather than "Close-puncture" to maximize effectiveness
• The treatments are safe to the tissue and with care the infrared laser is also safe
• With laser therapy, it is not possible to introduce infections
• It is generally less time consuming than a needling treatment
• Using a laser may provide a loophole for non-veterinarians who live in certain states/provinces that require you to be a licenced vet
• Lasers can be used directly on sore or diseased tissue in much the same way as an ultra-sonic machine is used

Ultra-Sonic vs. Laser Therapy

The mode of action of a laser beam is different than that of an ultra-sonic machine.  The ultra-sonic machine uses sound energy and it's thermal effect to increase blood supply to the affected area.  The laser uses light energy to exert a photo-chemical or photo-dynamic action at the cellular level of the tissue.  Diseased tissue cells have been shown to have a reduced or zero level of mitogenic radiation.  Normal cells emit a measureable level of radiation which stimulates adjacent cells to divide in the normal process of regeneration and healing.  Laser light stimulates abnormal tissue to activate this normal intracellular radiation and thus, the normal healing process to start again.

Consequently, laser beams are of extreme benefit to racing animals, enabling them to be kept racing without the use of drugs.  Apart from the speed healing of muscle injuries, lasers are used for diminishing scar tissue within muscles and on the skin, revitalizing sore and worn joints, chronic and acute ligament and tendon injuries, slow-healing wounds of any sore, chronic infections and ulceratd areas of skin and mucus membranes.