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CE Course September 18, 2021: A HANDS-ON OVERVIEW OF CUSTOM ORTHOTICS, LASER, PEMF AND HYDROTHERAPY

August 20, 2021

A HANDS-ON OVERVIEW OF CUSTOM ORTHOTICS, LASER, PEMF AND HYDROTHERAPY

12 hours of RACE approved CE

Date: Sept 18 and 19, 2021

8am-5pm on Saturday, Sept 18
8am – 1pm on Sunday, Sept 19

Houston, TX

Program Description:

This 12-hour Live Program will include 7.5 hrs Lecture and 4.5 hrs Wet lab led by Paul Brumett, DVM, CCRP, cAVCA, HTAP

This Continuing Education session is a comprehensive overview of the use of Photobiomodulation (Laser Therapy), Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF), Hydrotherapy, Custom Orthotics, their use in Pain management and their integration into the business of canine rehabilitation in veterinary medicine. We will discuss the history of each modality, recent research, appropriate use, contraindications, safety, helpful tips and review cases to show the use of each in daily rehabilitation practice.

The course is open to veterinarians, physical therapists and veterinary technicians.

Cost:

$269 per attendee includes:

12 hours of RACE approved CE
Lunch on Saturday
Cocktail Hour Saturday from 5-6pm (outdoors)

For more details on the venue, hotel group rate and to register just click the link below:

More Information

Sponsored by:

Breaking It Down: Understanding Laser Classifications for Laser Therapy

August 11, 2021

As a veterinarian or therapist who puts patient comfort first, you are always working use the least invasive, most effective treatments possible. Laser therapy (or photobiomodulation) can be an incredibly effective, non-pharmaceutical option for accelerating healing, relieving pain, and reducing inflammation for both acute and chronic conditions. It can add tremendous value to both patient and practice.

But which laser to add? Class 3b? Class 4? Should I even consider a Class 1 or 2?

There is a lot of confusion surrounding laser classification and effectiveness. While there are thousands of studies documenting the biochemical mechanisms of how photobiomodulation works on a cellular level, there is still not enough research to definitively say what class laser (primarily Class 3b or 4) or what power is most effective for results. A vast majority of studies revealing the effective mechanisms of laser therapy are done using a Class 3b laser, but very few studies compare a Class 3b to Class 4 as the sole variable of evaluation.

The other contributor to the confusion surrounding which laser class is best stems directly from the manufacturers themselves. Content and even research presented in marketing and promotional materials is intentionally chosen by many of the companies, not all, to present only the information they want the customer to see about their class laser. Some either conduct biased studies or provide only the data that says their class laser is the only choice when in fact equally convincing data exists supporting another class laser!

It is left up to the audience to sift through all of the information to determine fact from exaggeration.

How Are Lasers Classified?

There are four different classifications of therapy lasers. Contrary to popular belief, the classification levels are not strictly based on power only but are instead defined by how hazardous each laser is to the eye. While power is by far the main factor in this classification, it is not the only variable that matters. Distance from the eye, the angle the light is emitted from the laser lens, and the size of the pupil or lens it is being received into all play a role in determining a laser’s classification.

Laser classifications include:

Class 1 and 2: These are the lasers found in classroom laser pointers. While they have the potential to be dangerous to the eyes, they’re generally considered safe. As a therapy laser, a Class 2 laser would take an extremely long time to deliver an effective dose of energy for healing if it can even get the dose delivered into the tissue deep enough. The Class 1 and Class 2 lasers on the market today require you to treat every 3-4 hours throughout the day for an effective treatment.

Class 3b: These cold lasers are classified as being capable of causing damage to the eye and safety glasses should be worn when using this class laser and above. The FDA defines this Class 3b as a power output at a maximum of 500mW as measured at a defined aperture and distance from the lens. The Class 3b laser is the most studied and has therapeutic benefits for both humans and animals as long as the wavelength of energy it is emitting falls into the therapeutic range of 670-950nm.

Class 4: Class 4 lasers are almost identical to the Class 3b in therapeutic effect, but, with a higher power output, they can deliver the effective dose of energy more quickly into the tissue which can be quite beneficial when treating larger dogs and horses with deeper tissue conditions. The one drawback of the higher power, however, is the risk of burning is higher with a Class 4 laser. This class laser should only be used in skilled hands in a clinic setting.

Does laser classification determine effectiveness?

Lasers may be classified by power, but that is only one variable of the many that contribute to effectiveness from a therapeutic perspective.

Dose (in Joules), wavelength and power all contribute to laser effectiveness.

While power will deliver your effective dose deeper into the tissue faster, you are still limited in depth of penetration based on WAVELENGTH.

As laser light passes through tissue, it gets absorbed by melanin, blood, water, fat, muscle and all other tissue it passes through. Some wavelengths cannot make it much past the surface, like those in the red 600nm range, and are therefore ideal for treating superficial conditions and wounds.

To get deeper into tissue, you need a range of 800-1000 with the 808/810nm having the best penetration for continuous wave emission and the low 900nm range for Super Pulsed. Super Pulsed is a type of laser emission that can peak very high in wattage to get deeper into the tissue, but it will never heat up even at very high peaks of power.

Simplified Comparison of Laser Classification and Power

Thinking about lasers as tools to heat a pool can be a helpful analogy for understanding laser power.

Class 2 lasers are very low-grade and may heat some of the pool in the immediate vicinity closest to the source, but areas away from the laser will likely never get warm. The energy is just not strong enough to penetrate to the full area. Think of it like trying to heat the pool with a 20W light bulb. It would be impossible.

Class 3b lasers will heat the pool fully as the have enough energy to heat it fast enough that the full area warms up nicely. This is our 100W light bulb in this example.

Class 4 is the most powerful heater and heats the pool very quickly, but it can be too powerful at times — if you jump in too soon or too close to the source, you may get burned. This would be the 200W bulb for comparison.

Ready to Boost Your Patient Healing Speeds and Comfort?

Making the right choice in laser classification is important especially as it relates to ROI for your practice. Results from a Class 3b or Class 4 are going to be very similar, it is more or less the time to treat per session that will be the difference. In some cases, the treatment time could even be equal such as when treating a superficial or acute condition. At other times, if treating a horse’s neck for instance, you could have an 10-20 minute treatment time difference.

You cannot go wrong with either level system (Class 3b or 4) so it is best to choose the one you will utilize the most to benefit as many patients/clients as you can while fitting within your budget requirements and mobility needs.

Respond Systems, Inc (RSI) has been manufacturing both cold laser and PEMF therapy in the USA for over 35 years. As a leader in product development and research, RSI’s mission is to improve the lives of animals through two of the most highly effective, versatile, and non-invasive therapy modalities on the market today. For more information visit www.respondsystems.com.

Not All PEMF Blankets Are Created Equal

April 8, 2021

If you want to take full advantage of all that magnetic therapy can offer your horse, a PEMF therapy blanket is your best bet.

Your horse has likely already used a blanket, so wearing one won’t be an unfamiliar experience. What’s more, like other PEMF systems, the blankets don’t have dangling coils and wires for horses to trip on or noisy machines for horses to get accustomed to.

Another benefit of a PEMF blanket is that it can treat all the horse’s muscle groups at one time. This makes treatment easy and efficient, so you (and your horse!) can get back to riding!

Be Cautious of These Less-Appealing Features

While there are several PEMF therapy blankets available within the equine industry, not all are created equal. Some features to avoid:

• The blanket is made outside the United States, which means you could receive minimal support if the company that made your therapy blanket is based in another country.

• Lack of accessories such as a neck wrap or hock wraps.

• The blanket comes with other options like heating or massage that add features but reduce the overall effectiveness of each individual feature while also adding to the cost of the blanket and complicating repair issues.

• Programming is complicated, making it hard for horse owners to provide proper treatment.

• Intensity (or gauss) isn’t powerful enough to address all muscle treatment and repair needs.

• A brand sales structure that favors multi-level reps and prioritizes sales volume over customer education, service and results.

Introducing the PEMF Therapy Blanket from Respond Systems

At Respond Systems, Inc., we have been providing top-tier healing products for animals since 1983. All products are made in the United States, and we service and support customers worldwide.

Our PEMF Therapy Blanket has 14 coils to ensure all important muscle groups are completely covered in a single treatment session. This expansive coverage not only aids in full body circulation but also targets core muscle and soft tissue areas that are most compromised during exercise and competition.

With a peak intensity that is 50 times stronger than some other blankets, the depth of the therapeutic field can reach up to 15 to 18 inches into tissue allowing for better targeting and repair of muscle, tendon, ligaments and fascia. So in addition to promoting relaxation and release for your horse, the Respond PEMF blanket is designed to stimulate healing from the inside out.

In addition, the Respond Systems blanket offers a variety of frequency options within the 10-60Hz range, which has been identified through research as the therapeutic range. With the ability to rotate through all the options, this variety allows the user the flexibility to alter the frequency based on the animal’s response, condition (acute, chronic, bone, ligament, or fascia) and needs.

Whether you choose a blanket for therapeutic needs or for conditioning and injury prevention, we believe your horse deserves the therapy blanket that will make a difference for him and for you.
With some of our clients having used a single blanket for more than 15 years, that is testimony to the fact that we not only create high-quality systems to deliver results for your horse, but we also provide great service to our customers when – and if – they need it.

If you have comments or questions about our top-tier PEMF therapy blanket, we have a simple form on our website for your convenience.

The Benefits of PEMF Therapy Blanket by Respond Systems Over High-Powered PEMF

March 26, 2021

PEMF, which stands for pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, offers multiple benefits for horses ranging from aging and injured horses to pleasure horses and those in elite-level competition. This non-invasive treatment helps a horse recover from injuries quickly, decreases muscle inflammation, stimulates cell metabolism, and helps horses become more supple.

What is High-Intensity PEMF?

Most high-powered PEMF systems use coil loops, which are placed strategically on parts of a horse’s body to transmit power to the injured area and to focus on precise nerves and muscles. Due to the high-power capabilities of some PEMF machines, these treatments should be administered by an equine veterinarian or a certified equine therapist to avoid injury to the horse.

Whether a horse owner hires a certified expert to handle the task or purchases a PEMF system to work on their own horses, these high-powered PEMF systems aren’t without disadvantages.

In addition to the high cost of the machines, which can vary in price up to $25,000, some of the other drawbacks include:

• Treating multiple areas of the horse can mean a lengthy treatment time due to the limitations of the single coil attachment.
• If applied incorrectly, the high-level PEMF can actually cause tissue damage, especially when treating acute injuries or when treating a horse with neurological conditions like EPM.
• Because high-intensity PEMF can excel at blocking the pain receptor pathways, these high-intensity systems are banned from certain FEI-level equestrian events. Due to the lack of pain response caused by the pain blocking, horses run the risk of additional injuries.
• There are few, if any studies to date that document the long-term impact of high-intensity PEMF at the cellular level.

The Better Alternative to High-Intensity PEMF: Introducing the PEMF Therapy Blanket by Respond Systems

With thousands of peer-reviewed research studies on the FDA-approved, low-level PEMF intensity used in the PEMF Therapy Blanket by Respond Systems, treating your horse with PEMF therapy can be easy and effective. With over 35 years of results, the intensity level of the Respond Therapy Blanket has consistently proven to have an analgesic effect while reducing inflammation to promote healing and provide long-lasting therapeutic benefits that go beyond blocking pain.

Although used widely by veterinarians and equine therapists, the safe intensity level of the Respond Therapy Blanket makes it ideal for horse owners to use whether treating a diagnosed lameness or simply for conditioning.

The following are some of the many reasons horse owners around the world are choosing this low-level PEMF treatment option:

• The blanket is lightweight and breathable to ensure a horse’s full comfort during treatment.
• Battery packs offer up to 20, 30-minute treatments per charge.
• The battery is small and integrated into the horse blanket so there are no wires, cords or coils to get caught in the horse’s feet or tangled around their legs.
• A timer automatically shuts the blanket off, so you don’t have to supervise the full treatment course.
• The blanket comes with accessories to offer full treatment to the horse’s entire body, saving a horse owner time with the capability to focus on all major muscle groups at one time, during the same 30-minute treatment.
• The PEMF Therapy Blanket by Respond Systems is made in the United States.

If you have questions, we have a simple form on our website you can fill out. We’re always happy to answer with personalized advice and assistance to ensure your horse is getting the best PEMF treatment possible.

Laser therapy and Cancer…..What’s the Latest on its Use and Safety?

July 25, 2019

There is a lot of confusion about how laser therapy, and its mechanism of action, photobiomodulation, interacts with cancerous lesions and tumor growth. While multiple studies over the years provide evidence that laser therapy can be a benefit in relieving symptoms associated with chemotherapy treatments, such as in the case of oral mucositis (Bjordal, Bensadoun, et al) and lymphedema (Baxter, Liu, et al), does it increase or decrease the proliferation of the cancerous cells themselves? The answer to that question is obviously critical if there is to be any advancement of laser therapy as a treatment for cancer.

This month, a systematic review paper was published in the journal Lasers in Medical Science, covering a broad array of wavelengths and power levels. The paper looked at 19 studies in total, and presented those results based on evidence of proliferation of cancerous cells, or inhibition. (da Silva, Silva de Oliveira, et al)

Somewhat unsurprisingly, each variation in wavelength and power density of laser energy led to different results. For example, with infrared wavelengths (>750mW, most commonly used in laser therapy), four studies showed a decrease in cell proliferation of cancerous tissue, while three others showed an increase. So yes, the good news is that laser therapy can decrease the cell proliferation of cancerous lesions, but it depends greatly on the specific parameters used. Get the parameters wrong and you may in fact do the opposite, and stimulate the growth of cancerous cells/tissues.
In 2018, one study that looked at laser therapy’s effects on squamous cell carcinoma showed proliferation of the cancerous cells in a dose dependent manner (Bamps, Dok, et al). Another 2018 paper showed proliferation of isolated osteosarcoma and carcninoma cells with a defined dose, power and wavelength of laser therapy, showing the increase tracking along with increased applications of laser (Kara, Selamet, et al). These results mean we must use caution in choosing whether to use laser therapy when treating cancer patients, for any reason.

The papers reviewed in the above referenced systematic review paper do hint at exciting possibilities that are worth noting. In the search for a therapy for malignant glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer, Murayama used 808nm infrared (the same wavelength used with Respond Systems’ lasers) and measured the effect on markers that indicate proliferation of cancerous cells. The researchers reported a decrease in the number of calcein-AM-positive cells, suggesting that the laser stimulated a decrease in cancer cell proliferation (Murayama, H. et al).

So what does the future hold as it relates to laser therapy and cancer?

Despite how eager we might be to jump ahead with the idea that laser therapy can assist cancer patients, for now we need to stick to the specifics of what we know from the research. Caution should be the rule when using laser therapy with cancer patients, at least and until more studies are performed that give a clearer view.

And then there is the path of researching the potential protective or immune defense capabilities laser therapy may provide in deterring the formation of cancerous cells in the first place.
The future holds much promise and there will be much more to come as the research continues!

Bjordal, J.M., R.J. Bensadoun, J. Tuner, L. Frigo, K. Gjerde and R.A. Lopes-Martins. “A systematic review with meta-analysis of the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in cancer therapy-induced oral musositis.” Support Care Cancer 19.8(2011): 1069-1077. Online.

Baxter, G.D., Liu, L., Tumilty, S., Petrich, S., Chapple, C. and J.J. Anders. Low level laser therapy for the management of breast cancer related lymphedema: A randomized controlled feasibility study.” Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 50:9 (2018): 924-934. Online.

Da Silva, J.L., A.F.S. Silva De Oliviera, R.A.C. Andraus and L.P. Maia. “Effects of low level laser therapy in cancer cells- a systematic review of the literature.” Lasers in Medical Science June 17 (2019): Online ahead of print.

Bamps, Marieke, Ruveyda Dok and Sandra Nuyts. “Low-Level Laser Therapy Stimulates Proliferation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells.” Frontiers in Oncology 8.343 (2018). Online.

Kara, C., H. Selamet, C. Gokmenoglu, and N. Kara. “Low level laser therapy induces increased viability and proliferation in isolated cancer cells.” Cell Proliferation 51.2 (2018): 12417. Online.

Murayama, H., K. Sadakane, B. Yamanoha, and S. Kogure. “Low power 808-nm laser irradiation inhibits cell proliferation of a human derived glioblastoma cell line in vitro.” Lasers in Medical Science 27.1 (2012): 87-93.

PEMF for Anxiety?

June 20, 2019

Do these behaviors ring a bell with you?

Excessive panting when your dog knows you are leaving for work.

Your cat excessively grooming to the point that he creates bald spots in his fur

Anxiety in your horse before competition

Historically, R espond Systems, Inc has focused on PEMF therapy for pain relief, to reduce inflammation and to accelerate healing of both soft tissue and bone. Recently, however, we’ve seen a trend of positive reports of impacts on nervousness and anxiety in animals using the Respond Systems PEMF devices.

While bone and soft tissue healing pioneered the FDA approvals of PEMF, studies within the past decade have shown beneficial effects on the brain, including for treatment of depression and anxiety.

Two recent independent studies reported a reduction in “anxiety-like behaviors” when mice and rats were exposed to PEMF fields (Choleris, et al. Kalkan, et al). Other studies have moved out of the lab animal model to examine effects on human subjects as well. In one study (Martiny et al), the transcranial application of PEMF resulted in a 62% reduction on the Depression Rating Scale for patients suffering with treatment resistant depression.

This research is still young, and we aren’t making any claims of cure with PEMF therapy for the depressed dog or anxious horse. There does seem to be a promising trend that bears watching regarding PEMF’s positive impact on the conditions of those battling these types of mental conditions and illnesses.

For example, Deanna Rogers, PT, CCRP, CCFT, from Good Life Physical Therapy for Animals , shared her experience on the effect of PEMF on one of her geriatric patients.

“I had a very anxious and painful home care patient that I only saw twice who was a 130lb, overweight Malinois. He had severe left groin and knee pain so when I saw him the second time, when he was much worse after battling a tangle with a laundry basket, I recommended he see the vet again. It was the weekend, the vet office was closed, and the owners couldn’t get him in the car by themselves to get him to the ER clinic. So they wanted to manage him at home till that Monday.”

“I gave them my Respond PE MF bed in addition to other things to try. They told me he LOVED the bed at the 5 Hz frequency. They were thinking more is better and tried 15 Hz and he wouldn’t get on the bed. So they went back to 5 Hz and he would go and lie on it and become less anxious.”

For decades, we’ve heard of a similar effect in horses treated with the Bio-Pulse Sentry PEMF Blanket.

Tom Meyers, equine physiotherapist and U.S Team Physio for numerous Olympics and World Games, has been working with PEMF therapy for over 25 years, and had this to say:

“90% of the horses treated with Respond blank ets get relief from anxiety. We treated Legolas, Steffen Pete rs’ (Multi-Time Dressage Olympic and World Game Medalist) horse, with the Sentry blanket before all competitions for his whole career, including World Games, Olympics and World Cup Aachen!”

While a method of activation or biochemical mechanism has not been defined yet, there are a few theories on the pathways PEMF therapy takes to combat depression and anxiety. These include improving neuroplasticity processes (Cichoń et al), decreasing higher EEG frequencies (Amirifalah, et al) and positively impacting the electrical activity of neurons and neurobiological processes effecting local brain activity and connectivity.

Respond will continue to follow the research on the topic as it emerges! In the interim, don’t be surprised if you find yourself using your PEMF equipment to not only promote soft tissue healing and reduction in inflammation, but also for addressing anxiety!

Amirifalah Z, Firoozabadi SM, Shafiei SA. Local exposure of brain central areas to a pulsed ELF magnetic field for a purposeful change in EEG. Clin EEG Neurosci. 2013 Jan;44(1):44-52.

Choleris E, Thomas AW, Prato FS. A comparison of the effects of a 100 ut specific pulsed magnetic field and diazepam on anxiety-related behaviors in male CF1 mice. Bioelectromagnetics Society, 21st Annual Meeting, 20-24 June, Long Beach, CA, Abstract No. P-91, p. 129-130, 1999.

Cichoń N, Bijak M, Czarny P, Miller E, et al. Increase in Blood Levels of Growth Factors Involved in the Neuroplasticity Process by Using an Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field in Post-stroke Patients. Front Aging Neurosci. 2018 Sep 26;10:294.

Kalkan MT, Korpinar MA, Seker S, et al. The effect of the 50 Hz frequency sinusoidal magnetic field on the stress-related behavior of rats. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference Biomedical Engineering Days, 20-22 May, Istanbul, Turkey, p.78-81, 1998.

Martiny K, Lunde M, Bech P: Transcranial low voltage pulsed electromagnetic fields in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Biol Psychiatry 2010, 68:163–169.

Flight to Freedom

July 20, 2017

Wild animals are just as susceptible to injury as our domesticated pets. Treating them, however, can prove to be quite a challenge.

It is always a delicate balance when dealing with wild animals. You want to limit their exposure to humans during treatments, and you must watch the clock. The longer the animal is in captivity, the less likely a successful reentry to the wild will be.

“Long term care is not ideal for high stress wild animals,” says Christine Cummings from A Place Called Hope (APCH), a non-profit rehabilitation and education center in Killingworth, CT.

While they specialize in birds of prey, corvids (crow family) and vultures, APCH cares for all types of wild birds in need. After a rescue, their goal is to rehabilitate, re-nest and release the bird back into the wild whenever possible. APCH utilizes many rehab techniques and equipment to help accomplish this goal, including cold laser therapy.

“The Respond Systems cold laser unit has become standard procedure for the various rehabilitation cases we admit. From minor cuts and bruises to severe spinal injuries, this device has helped us to help countless patients in a non-invasive and gentle way,” details Cummings. “This device has been dubbed our ‘Magic Wand’ as we have witnessed success after success benefit from its fast acting results.”

Christine shared a one recent case of an injured female Red-Tailed Hawk admitted to APCH with head trauma and a severe spinal injury. The hawk had been struck by a car, as 85% of their cases are. She was in critical condition when she came in, with no use of her legs and suffering neurological problems. There were no fractures, but swelling was so severe that she was paralyzed.

“The cold laser system was immediately put to use as we treated the entire spinal and pelvic region,” shared Cummings. “It was only two days before we saw improvement. She regained circulation and started to move her legs and feet, yet her head trauma resulted in a disconnect as her coordination was sluggish. Continued laser treatments ultimately gave her back the full use of her legs and her ability to coordinate in just a few weeks. She is currently pending release,” she added with enthusiasm.

Christine goes on to say “since the addition of Respond System’s cold laser therapy to our rehab routing, we see cases we would have given up on in the past actually heal completely and successfully. Our recovering birds go back to freedom in half the time they used to thus increasing our overall turnover rate.”

Another wild bird organization incorporating laser therapy is The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center in Tavernier, Florida. The Wild Bird Center fulfills a similar mission to APCH, focusing on rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native and migratory birds in the beautiful and biologically diverse Florida Keys.

Kayla Gainer, Wildlife Rehabilitation Manger at the Wild Bird Center, recently shared a story of one of their laser therapy patients.

“A great horned owl came to our facility with fractures of the radius and ulna. Our vet pinned the wing, but there was a significant amount of shattered bones and bruising due to the trauma of the injury.”

“Using the Respond Systems laser each day on the wing greatly increased the healing process,” Gainer stated.

Laser Therapy delivered by Respond’s devices is used to treat all types of injuries. From factures and torn ligaments to wounds and nerve injuries, the laser is a wonderfully supportive therapy for healing with no side effects. The three primary benefits of the therapy are pain relief, reduction in inflammation and faster healing; all critical to helping the animals restore their ability to live out their lives in the wild.

“This device puts wild birds back into the wild! It sends them home sooner than before and saves many lives we would have euthanized in the past. It’s the real deal!” concludes Christine.

Respond is delighted to be a part of the great work being done at a Place Called Hope and Wild Bird Center, and will continue to share their stories!

Respond Systems, Inc (RSI) has been manufacturing both cold laser and PEMF therapy in the USA for over 30 years. As a leader in product development and research, RSI’s mission is to improve the lives of animals through two of the most highly effective, versatile, and non-invasive therapy modalities on the market today. For more information visit www.respondsystems.com.

For more information on A Place Called Hope visit http://aplacecalledhoperaptors.com and on the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center visit http://www.keepthemflying.org.

New Video for Veterinary Offices

January 17, 2017

You cannot feel or see most low-level laser therapy so that makes it a bit difficult to explain the effect. We created this customer-friendly video to help introduce laser therapy and its positive effects on healing and the reduction of pain and inflammation. Watch the video here!

Respond Systems Recharges Chester Weber’s Team

October 19, 2016

Ocala, FL (October 18, 2016) — Thanks to two new Sentry PEMF Blankets in Chester Weber’s arsenal, Respond Systems – a longtime supporter of Team Weber and Jane Clark’s high performance KWPN geldings – kept the World Equestrian Games Silver Medalist and 13-time National Champion combined driver recharged over his summer CAI European tour. Team Weber finished the summer as the top-placed American team in the 2016 FEI World Four-in-Hand Championships in Breda, the Netherlands.

Respond Systems Sentry PEMF Blankets with therapeutic magnetic fields are a cutting edge option in caring for the sore muscles and stiff joints found in today’s equine athletes. Respond Systems blankets have been utilized by Team Weber since 2009, and help to ensure that Weber and Clark’s horses stay in tip-top shape while facing the world’s most competitive FEI drivers and teams.

Team Weber has been equipped with two Sentry PEMF full body suits, a neck piece, and hock boots, courtesy of Respond Systems of Branford, Connecticut. The company has been developing state-of-the-art veterinary therapy systems for horses and small animals since 1989. Sentry PEMF bio-pulse blankets are designed to cover all major muscle groups. With eight large coils, (two for the topline, plus coils for the hamstring muscles and inside the stifle), this is a must-have blanket for the highly athletic, injured or aging horse. Each battery-powered blanket provides up to 20 treatments per full charge.

“In driving, with a marathon carriage being 600 kilos and the horses having to work well over their backs, Respond Systems is a big help,” says Weber. “People ask if I have worked with other magnetic products or lasers, and I have always said that I have no need to – Respond Systems answers all the questions they should. The whole crew from Respond Systems is fantastic to work with. Our therapy blankets get tuned up every fall and come back good as new. It’s a product you wouldn’t know you needed until you have one.”

Respond Systems is equally as pleased to provide the athlete and his team of high caliber horses with the tools to aid in their success. Vice President and Director of Marketing for Respond Systems, Lisa Miksis, stated that, “Chester and his team not only represent excellence in the sport, but are also an inspirational example of the magic that can happen when a team works in unison. We sponsor Chester’s team so that the horses can perform in peak condition and their bodies can keep up with the demands of that excellence. Our Sentry PEMF blanket system helps to do exactly that, and with a competing team of four equine athletes, the blankets get a lot of wear and tear. Given the intense levels of performance that the team has achieved over the last few years, in addition to the wonderful relationships we have built, we felt it was time to outfit the team with two new Sentry blanket systems! We are looking forward to cheering on the team for many years to come!”

Team Weber began its summer with a solid performance at the CHIO4* Royal Windsor Horse Show in England, then on to Drebkau, Germany to win top honors at its CAI3* tournament, and a third overall in the CAIO4* at CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival in Germany before Breda. Now back in Ocala for the fall, Weber is turning his focus to developing a potential new bay to the team, a five year-old KWPN gelding called Governor. Weber and his champion team will head to their next competition, the Hermitage Classic and Fall Festival in Goshen, Kentucky, on October 21-23.

For all the news on Team Weber’s latest triumphs and additions to the team, follow the official Facebook and Instagram @ChesterWeber accounts and visit www.ChesterWeber.com.

Photo: Team Weber thanks Respond Systems for two new Sentry PEMF Blankets (Photo courtesy of Chester Weber, contact staffwriter@jrprnews.com for full resolution image).

The Most Versatile Tool in the Veterinarian’s Toolbox…Laser Therapy

June 1, 2016

As much as we all might wish for it, there is no panacea in veterinary medicine, no cure-all for the myriad of conditions veterinarians and therapists are treating daily. There is one device however that is more versatile than almost any of the other tools in the veterinary toolbox: a laser therapy system.

Laser therapy was primarily used for treating equine conditions when it first hit the market back in the 1980s, and was mostly used by therapists. Even though studies have been conducted on the mechanisms and efficacy of laser therapy dating back prior to the 1970s, it has been a very slow process of adoption for a multitude of reasons. A few of the most important reasons are, 1) the inability to feel or see the treatment working, 2) optimal results occur over a series of treatments ; not from a single dose, and 3) the introduction of laser therapy occurred when pharmaceuticals were also experiencing a growth surge due in part to the emergence of the biotech industry and the entry of generic drugs to the market.

Laser therapy persisted throughout this time period; therapists continued using their lasers to decrease pain and inflammation, and to accelerate the healing of soft tissue. By the mid-1990’s, laser therapy starting gaining the attention of veterinarians as advances in veterinary health care and nutrition were extending the lives of companion animals , just as it was doing for their owners. Pets living longer were experiencing similar aches and pains from aging that people do; arthritis, degenerative conditions, injuries due to weakened muscles. Veterinarians looked for means to increase quality of life for these animals as they moved into their golden years, and laser therapy provided a welcome solution.

“My practice population has changed during the last 10 years, with more clients seeking options to manage a variety of concurrent conditions that range from orthopedic disease to internal organ disease in their companions,” states Dr. Cheryl Cross who owns a veterinarian practice in Knoxville, TN. “More often than not, I see patients with conditions for which there is no easy fast cure or quick fix – they need a variety of tools to allow increased comfort and life quality.”

During the early 2000’s, laser therapy systems burst onto the scene in small animal veterinary practices. What started with rehabilitation specialists adding laser therapy to their services, evolved into vet laser therapy being used in all aspects of veterinary practice. Laser light at specific wavelengths is well documented for reducing pain and inflammation and for accelerating the healing process. Treating soft tissue injuries like tendon and ligament tears, arthritis, degenerative joint disease and hip dysplasia are also common uses for the busy laser. Now, many additional case studies and research projects are released detailing the effectiveness of laser therapy for common but difficult to treat problems such as wounds, lick granulomas and ulcers. Skin conditions like dermatitis and allergies represent another growing area showing positive benefits of laser, keeping interest in laser therapy high among the veterinary community.

“I can easily add in some red laser inside the ear canal if there is a new mild otitis, or in my older patients we can laser the tops of the paws if they have been knuckling or dragging a little,” says Dr. Cross, who treats a wide variety off four-legged clients from young athletes and working dogs to geriatric cats and dogs. “For the most chronic conditions for which management is best served via multimodal routes – laser therapy provides the piece that is actually quick to apply, easy to administer, easy on the patient, and very comfortable for the client as well.”

Now laser therapy is a go-to for post-surgical treatments, and follow up for long lasting relief. The faster an animal can return to normal function post-surgery, the likelihood of success of the surgery increases, and post-surgical complications decrease. In many cases, animals that might not be candidates for surgery or for the use of anti-inflammatory or steroidal pharmaceuticals can be treated successfully with laser therapy.

“With one piece of equipment I can treat from nose to tail and the more I understand parameters and am inspired by Margaret Naeser and other pioneers of laser therapy – the more I am trying new applications and being very pleased that, if nothing else, I can offer an option,” Dr. Cross adds. “Often clients have no other options to try. In my experience, however, it’s more than just offering – my patients are improving.”

Promising research continues to be conducted as it relates to laser therapy and its multitude of potential uses in the future, including the treatment of chronic renal disease, combating bacterial and fungal infections, boosting cellular protection from poisons such as snake venom and more. The future is bright for laser therapy! Although it is not a panacea that will cure all ills, it gets pretty close! By treating an incredible array of conditions, laser therapy will continue to grow in application and deliver positive benefits for the clients of vets and therapists in clinics all over the world.

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