Physiotherapy, Lasers and Magnetic Therapy

What does physiotherapy achieve

• relieve pain and enhance healing

• encourage muscular effort, promote lymphatic drainage, increase blood circulation, prevent deterioration from atrophy

• increase blood flow to deep tissues, good for injuries which otherwise could not be reached

examples of physiotherapy

• massage

• cold laser

• magnetic therapy

• electrical stimulation

• TENS

• ultrasound

• moist heat

• ice

• short wave diathermy

what is cold laser therapy

• laser that emits waves of light that are used to treat specific problems

  • range in size from penlights to large tabletop units

• research has shown that the best results are in treating eye problems or muscle and tendon injuries, and when used as an aid to the healing of wounds

what is cold laser therapy used for

• to stimulate acupuncture points

• speed healing at the site of injury

how can acupuncture points be easily stimulated

using a pen sized cold laser

Tell me more about small cold lasers

• come in a variety of wavelengths

• limited effectiveness but work well for eye treatments and wound healing

How should a cold laser be used near the eye

• should only be used on the acupuncture point surrounding the eye not directly on the eye itself

  • can cause damage to the eye and may cause and aggressive response from the horse

In one instance, a horse had a serious puncture wound

 Infection was a concern

 This horse was allergic to most antibiotics and other meds

 The laser was used around the edges of her wound and on the acupuncture points associated with her immune system throughout the treatment and no infection developed!

what is magnetic therapy

• a healing method that has been used for hundreds of years

• more than 5,000 different magnetic field therapy devices

• applied to create a magnetic field that will increase circulation, oxygen utilization and cell function in that area

what is magnetic therapy currently being used for

• to treat fractures, counds, degenerative diseases of the legs, circulatory deficiencies, strained ligaments, and treatments of joints

  • most commonly used for sprains and strains

• good holistic alternative because it is non-invasive and effective

types of magnetic therapy devices

• blanket wraps

• hock wraps

• leg or shin wraps

• hoof magnets

Types of magnetic blankets

• thin blankets are placed inside the blanket in pockets or attached with Velcro to the underside of the blanket

• The other type has magnets that work using an electrical impulse

• These magnets can be inserted into a blanket in various places and generate a magnetic pulse right through the blanket

what are magnetic blankets good for

• treating sore backs, shoulder and hip areas

• used after a hard work out to help muscles cool down

• help already warmed up muscles from becoming stiff and cold when you are showing or working your horse

what are hock magnets used for

• fit around hock and are left in place from 1-8 hours

• work well for sore or swollen hocks and for bone changes in hocks, such as spurs and arthritis

when should you not use hock magnets

when hock is hot to the touch or after an acute injury

What are magnetic leg wraps

leg or shin wraps placed over the cannon bone

• either a thin strip of magnet that is placed on the leg and held in place with a bandage

• the other is a padded wrap that goes about ¾ of the wway around the leg and is then closed with a velcro closure

what can using a magnet be good for on limbs

• after hard exercise keeps blood flowing constantly so the by products produced by the muscles and tendons are moved out of the area

• can keep leg swelling down to a minimum

what are hoof magnets

• most popular are 1 cm in circumference

• called Cor-Mags

• use 3-5 magnets

• They are more effective if they are placed on the top portion of the hoof

what are the benefits of hoof magnets

• increase hoof growth

• cracks or injuries can benefit from one or two magnets near the area

• increase circulation promotes healing in the area

• can be attached with epoxy glue

Overall what does magnetic therapy do

• increase cellular activity which produces head, which promotes healing

• speed up rate of injury healing ie bruises, muscle injuries, wounds and tendon and ligament injuries

• reduce formation of scar tissues