What is Canine Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy utilises a range of different treatment techniques to promote natural healing, relieve pain and to improve functional movement. These techniques include; Manual Therapies, Electrotherapies and Exercise Prescriptions.

Manual Therapy consists of:

• Soft tissue massage
• Trigger point release
• Myofascial release
• Passive range of motion
• Stretches
• Hot and cold therapy 

Electrotherapies that may be used in veterinary physiotherapy treatments include:

• Neuromuscular electro stimulation (NMES)
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
•  Pulsed magnetic field therpay (PMFT)
•  Infra red laser
•  Visible red laser
•  Blue laser

Exercise prescription greatly compliments hydrotherapy treatment and transfers the benefits achieved in water to dry land, these may include:

• Postural core exercises
• Active range of motion exercises
• Massage

The goals of physiotherapy treatment are always to:

• Reduce pain
• Improve mobility
• Restore normal movement and function
• Improve balance, co-ordination and proprioception
• Restore pre-injury strength and flexibility
• Restore full function and performance
• Advise on injury prevention

Physiotherapy can be beneficial for a large variety of conditions including:

• Elbow dysplasia
• Hip dysplasia
• Patella luxation
• Ligament damage - cranial cruciate strain, rupture or dengeration
• Tendon injuries
• Osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease (OA/DJD)
• Osteochondrosis/ Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
• Amputation
• Wound healing
• Fracture healing
• Muscle injury/atrophy
• Post surgical rehabilitation - TPLO/ THR/FHNE/Arthroscopy
• Trauma 
• Palliative care
• Neurological conditions; intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) Spinal trauma and surgery
• Degenerative myelopathy

Every animal is an individual; therefore each treatment session should be tailored for each individual animal’s needs as well as the owner’s.  Patients with conditions that may affect them long term may benefit from a maintenance programme of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy in order to improve their function in day-to-day life.

Physiotherapy can also be advantageous for sporting animals, supporting them in their peak of physical fitness and performance.

Physiotherapy should only be carried out by a qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist, there are a number of veterinary physiotherapists in East Anglia who are fully qualified, experienced and already work alongside Meadow Farm Hydrotherapists. Please contact us for further details. 

We are always happy to take referrals from and work alongside Veterinary Physiotherapists already involved in an  animals care.   

 

     Contact us - 01359 250310 - email info@meadow-farm.com

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