Laser Therapy vs. Acupuncture: When We Use Each (or Both)

How Laser Therapy and Acupuncture Support Healing in Different Ways

You’ve noticed your dog taking a little longer to get up after a nap. Or maybe your cat doesn’t jump onto the bed anymore and you’re not sure when that changed. These small shifts are easy to brush off as “just getting older,” but they’re often early signs of pain or stiffness that can be managed, sometimes without adding more pills to the daily routine.

Laser therapy and acupuncture are two options that help pets feel better in different ways. Laser therapy uses light energy to reduce inflammation and speed up tissue repair. Acupuncture uses fine needles at specific points to trigger the body’s natural pain-relieving responses. Both can make a real difference, and sometimes combining them works even better than either one alone.

At MountainView Veterinary Hospital in Denville, we offer both laser therapy and acupuncture as part of how we help pets with pain, healing, and chronic conditions. Request an appointment with our expert team to talk through our personalized approach to your pet’s symptoms, and whether one- or both- might be a good fit for your dog or cat.

Why Consider Integrative Pain Relief?

Nobody wants to watch their pet struggle. And while medication is sometimes exactly what’s needed, it’s not always the only answer. Integrative care gives us more tools to work with, which means more ways to help your pet feel comfortable and move freely again.

At MountainView, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatment plans. We consider your pet’s age, species, temperament, lifestyle, and medical history before recommending anything. Some pets do great with just one therapy. Others respond best when we combine approaches like laser therapy, veterinary acupuncture, PEMF therapy, or herbal therapy. If you’re curious about what’s possible, schedule an alternative medicine consultation to understand how we put the pieces together.

What Is Laser Therapy and How Does It Work?

Laser therapy sounds high-tech, but from your pet’s perspective, it’s actually pretty relaxing. We use a handheld device that delivers concentrated light to the area that needs help. That light penetrates the skin and encourages cells to produce more energy, which reduces inflammation and helps tissues heal faster. The technical term is photobiomodulation, but what matters is that it works.

Most sessions last 5 to 15 minutes depending on the area we’re treating. Your pet lies comfortably (many actually doze off) while we move the handpiece in slow, steady passes. There’s no pain, just gentle warmth at the skin surface. We provide eye protection and adjust settings for cats versus dogs.

Two questions we hear a lot: “Is it safe?” and “How many sessions will my pet need?” When performed by trained professionals, laser therapy is very safe for both dogs and cats. How often depends on what we’re addressing. Acute problems might need several sessions in the first couple of weeks; chronic conditions shift to maintenance once we see improvement. Check out our laser therapy page for more details.

What Conditions Respond Well to Laser Therapy?

We reach for laser therapy most often when we’re dealing with pain, inflammation, or tissues that need help healing.

• Arthritis and joint pain:Arthritis flare-ups often ease after a series of sessions that calm inflamed tissues and improve mobility. Pets who were reluctant to walk or climb stairs often start moving more freely. Both dogs and cats with joint disease benefit from laser’s anti-inflammatory effects, sometimes enough to reduce their pain medication.
• Post-surgical healing:Recovery tends to be faster and more comfortable when we add laser after procedures performed by our veterinary surgery Studies show that laser therapy improves tissue healing regardless of age or species.
• Wounds, hot spots, and skin issues:Laser supports blood flow and tissue repair, which helps with everything from ear infections to stubborn lick granulomas.
• Tendon and ligament injuries:In some cases, we combine laser with other regenerative therapies to support healing in these tougher-to-repair tissues.

If we need imaging or lab work to understand what’s causing your pet’s discomfort, our diagnostics team is on site so we can get answers quickly and build the right plan.

What Is Veterinary Acupuncture and How Does It Help?

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, and modern research has caught up to explain why it works. When we place thin, sterile needles at specific points on the body, it influences nerve signaling, triggers the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals, improves circulation, and helps calm inflammatory responses. For pets, that translates to easier movement, less pain, and often a calmer overall demeanor.

What does a session actually look like? We start by reviewing your pet’s history and doing a careful exam to choose the right points. Most sessions last 20 to 40 minutes, and here’s the part that surprises people: most pets relax. Some close their eyes, some lean into their person, and some just settle in for a quiet rest. The needles are incredibly fine, and the majority of animals tolerate them very well, cats included, thanks to our Certified Feline Friendly approach.

We offer two specialized types of acupuncture beyond traditional dry needle therapy:

• Electroacupunctureadds gentle electrical frequencies to the needles, increasing stimulation for deeper or more stubborn conditions. This technique can be especially beneficial for dogs dealing with paralysis or severe nerve damage, where stronger signals help encourage healing and restore function.
• Aquapunctureinvolves injecting small amounts of sterile saline or vitamin B12 into acupuncture points. The liquid creates prolonged stimulation at the site, extending the treatment’s effects. Aquapuncture works well as a standalone therapy for pets who don’t tolerate needles staying in place, or it can be combined with traditional dry needle acupuncture for enhanced results.

Your pet’s treatment plan might include one type or a combination, depending on what we’re addressing and how they respond.

What Conditions Respond Well to Acupuncture?

Acupuncture shines with chronic pain, neurologic issues, and conditions where the body’s systems seem out of balance.

• Chronic musculoskeletal pain:Long-standing back pain, neck tension, and stiffness often improve as the nervous system calms down and tight muscles release.
• Neurologic problems:Weakness, nerve pain, and coordination issues can benefit when we work to optimize nerve function and reduce inflammation.
• Digestive troubles:Acupuncture can influence the autonomic nervous system, which sometimes helps with GI issues and immune imbalances.
• Allergies:In pets dealing with allergies, acupuncture may help reduce itching and support skin health as part of a bigger treatment plan.

Because every pet is different, we build individualized plans. Our alternative medicine services can also include herbal support when it makes sense, with careful monitoring along the way.

What Is PEMF Therapy?

PEMF stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy. It uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate cells and support the body’s natural healing processes. Think of it as a way to “recharge” tissues at the cellular level, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and helping cells repair themselves more efficiently.

During a session, your pet rests on a comfortable mat or pad that delivers the magnetic pulses. Most pets find it relaxing, and sessions typically last 15 to 30 minutes. There’s no pain, no noise, and no need for sedation.

PEMF can help with:

• Arthritis and joint stiffness
• Post-surgical healing
• Soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains
• Chronic pain that hasn’t fully responded to other treatments
• Bone healing after fractures

We often use PEMF alongside laser therapy or acupuncture for pets dealing with ongoing pain or mobility issues. Because each therapy works through a different mechanism, combining them can provide more complete relief than any single approach alone.

Why Do We Often Use Laser, Acupuncture, and PEMF Together?

Because these therapies work through different mechanisms, they often complement each other beautifully. Laser reduces inflammation at the tissue level. Acupuncture calms pain signals and releases muscle tension. PEMF supports cellular repair and improves circulation. Some pets do best with just one; many benefit from layering two or three together for more complete relief.

• Arthritic joints:Laser reduces inflammatory chemicals, acupuncture improves pain signaling and helps muscles relax, and PEMF supports cartilage and joint tissue at the cellular level. Together, pets often move better than with any single therapy alone.
• After surgery:Laser speeds incision healing and reduces swelling. Acupuncture addresses muscle guarding and lingering discomfort. PEMF encourages tissue repair and can help bones heal faster after orthopedic procedures.
• Chronic back pain:Laser targets inflamed tissues directly. Acupuncture rebalances muscle groups and nerve signaling. PEMF provides ongoing cellular support between sessions, extending the benefits of each visit.

We coordinate scheduling so your pet stays relaxed and actually enjoys their visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my pet feel the acupuncture needles?

Most pets tolerate them very well. The needles are incredibly fine, much thinner than the ones used for vaccines or blood draws. Many pets relax so much during sessions that they doze off. We use gentle handling and feline-friendly techniques for cats who need extra TLC.

How soon will we see results from laser therapy?

Some pets feel noticeably better after the first session, especially with acute injuries. Chronic problems usually improve over several sessions, then stabilize with maintenance.

Can these therapies replace medication?

Sometimes they reduce the dose or frequency of medication, which is great for pets who don’t tolerate certain drugs well or for owners who prefer fewer pharmaceuticals. But we make that call together based on diagnosis and safety. Combining approaches often produces the best long-term results.

Are laser and acupuncture safe for senior pets?

Absolutely. We adjust treatment intensity and positioning for comfort, and seniors often benefit the most because these therapies have very few systemic side effects compared to some medications.

Ready to Help Your Pet Feel Better?

The bottom line: laser therapy and acupuncture are different tools that relieve pain and support healing in their own ways. The best choice depends on your pet’s diagnosis, temperament, and goals, and combining them often provides the strongest, most lasting results.

If you’re noticing stiffness, slowing down, or changes that suggest your pet isn’t feeling their best, we’re here to help. Explore our laser therapy, acupuncture, and PEMF services, then contact us with any questions or to request an appointment to design a plan for your dog or cat. We’ll work with you to reduce pain, restore movement, and help your pet feel like themselves again.