Animal Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is defined as ‘the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery'.

physiotherapyHistorically very popular in humans, physiotherapy has been applied and developed more recently in the veterinary field. As a discipline, it works alongside veterinary intervention to further maximise results of treatment. Physiotherapy is often beneficial in instances where the animal is unable to have medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories as well as when no further medication can be prescribed. Physiotherapy can aid in pain relief which makes it an ideal choice.

What does physiotherapy treat?

Physiotherapy can be used to treat many different conditions and the pain associated with them. Conditions that can benefit from physiotherapy include but are not limited to osteoarthritis, cruciate ligament disease, medial shoulder syndrome, hip/elbow dysplasia, lumbosacral disease, patellar luxation, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Physiotherapy is also beneficial for animals' post-surgery, such as after spinal surgery or cruciate repair to aid early weight bearing and reduction of muscle loss.

How does physiotherapy work?

Physiotherapy utilises different techniques such as manual therapies, electro and Laser therapies, along with tailored home exercises.

Manual therapies

Massage is an umbrella term for many different techniques targeting pathologies. Stimulatory massage can be used to stimulate muscles after a period of disuse, using sharp and scattered strokes to trigger nerve firing and muscle activation. Effleurage massage can be used for relaxation and relief of tight muscles, using soft gentle strokes to encourage blood flow to the area. Friction massage can be used over a tendon or ligament injury to encourage correct alignment of fibres during repair.

LASER therapies

This therapy works on the principle of photo biomodulation to influence cellular respiration and energy production. Furthermore, the LASER light is warm, increasing blood flow and bringing more healing factors to the area. LASER is especially useful for pain relief, muscle tightness and relief of the symptoms of osteoarthritis, soft tissue injury, and wound healing.

Transcutaneous electromagnetic stimulation (TENS)

TENS is a common intervention in human therapy. It utilises the ‘pain gate’ theory to block transmission of pain messages to the brain. TENS provides almost instant pain relief to an area.

Neuromuscular electrical nerve stimulation (NMES)

NMES is a modality used for muscle mass increase. It manipulates the way muscles are activated in order to reduce muscle loss in areas of immobilisation as well as increasing muscle mass.

doug the dog undergoing physio

Pulsed electromagnetic energy (PEME)

PEME is a therapy used in areas of swelling, arthritis and nerve damage by the upregulation of growth factors, encouraging quicker new bone lay down and nerve firing.

Therapeutic Ultrasound (TUS)

This tool sends ultrasonic waves into the areas causing a vibration on the tissue which can help to increase the extensibility of soft tissues. Furthermore, TUS causes heat around the area and this increased blood flow can aid in reducing inflammation and pain. TUS is ideal for tendon and ligament pathologies.

Home exercise programmes

Your physiotherapist will prescribe you a programme of targeted exercises used to maximise the benefit of your pet’s rehabilitation. Cavaletti pole exercises can be used to train the animal’s gait and lengthen the stride after injury. Also, Cavaletti rails are often used for active range of motion, maintaining joint movement in a dog with joint issues. Wobble cushions are used as a core exercise. The unstable surface of the cushion requires balance and stabilisation using the animal’s abdominal muscles. Peanut ball exercises can be used to stretch the hip joint and associated musculature, as well as promoting shoulder and elbow muscle mass increase. Other exercises, such as sit-to-stands or cookie stretches can be prescribed for maintaining muscle, building up core strength, pain relief and stretching problem areas. 

Physiotherapy and Regenerative Medicine

Physiotherapy is often used as a conjunctive therapy alongside regenerative medicine in order to maximise the benefits of stem cell therapy or platelet-rich-plasma. As well as being used for pain in relation to their condition, physiotherapy works to reduce the effects of immobilisation; minimising muscle loss throughout the body and aids in muscle strengthening in these areas. 

Furthermore, it has been found that some electro and LASER therapies offered at Greenside, can help energise the stem cells after they have been implanted, reinforcing their use throughout the Stem Cell therapy process. It is commonly recommended for the animal to have six LASER sessions post implantation of stem cells.

Veterinary physiotherapists work under veterinary referral, meaning that a vet must refer the animal for physiotherapy. This can be achieved by completing one of our referral forms, which can be found and submitted online or sent to the veterinary practice directly. They must be completed and signed by the animal’s existing veterinary practice. Direct enquiries will also be responded to promptly.

What to expect?

Prior to the initial consultation your physiotherapist will evaluate your pet’s previous clinical history, including vet reports and any radiographs. During the initial physiotherapy consultation, the physiotherapist will conduct a full static assessment, feeling through all the muscles and joints, followed by a dynamic assessment of how the animal walks, looking at stride lengths and joint flexion. The physiotherapist will then talk through results with the owner and perform an appropriate first treatment. A bespoke home exercise programme will then be demonstrated and prescribed involving exercises to be completed at home to further benefit the animal.

Follow up sessions will also involve full static and dynamic assessments. The physiotherapist will perform another treatment on the animal and change the home exercise programme to suit the animal’s progress, whether it be adding more difficult exercises or reducing the workload. Electro or Laser therapies may be used in conjunction with manual therapies. 

Many insurance companies will cover physiotherapy. Refer to your policy terms and conditions for more information.

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