Animal Rehabilitation
Like physical therapy for human beings, animal rehabilitation can help restore dogs and cats to a healthy, pain-free life. In the human health care world, we receive physical rehabilitation after an injury or surgery, for any type of pain or dysfunction. We also receive treatment after neurological injuries (such as a stroke), for fractures, sprains or strains, for the treatment of wounds, athletic injuries, arthritic conditions, and the effects of ageing. Animals can receive physical rehabilitation for all of these types of ailments as well!
Rehabilitation can benefit dogs & cats with various health conditions, including the following:
- Surgery: When your pet is recovering from surgery, rehab can help them regain and maintain their muscle tone and range of motion. This non-invasive, drug-free therapy can also speed healing.
- Arthritis: One of the best ways to help combat arthritic conditions is to exercise the affected areas. Arthritic pets can benefit from targeted exercises, especially those recovering from orthopedic surgery
- Obesity: Obese pets can experience significant strain on their joints and suffer from mobility issues and pain. Developing a rehab plan incorporating gentle, low-cardio, and low-impact exercises can help shed the pounds
- Neurological issues: Neurological issues can cause difficulty controlling the movement of limbs. Rehabilitation therapy can help manage this condition.
- Chronic Pain: Similar to arthritis, rehab can also help manage chronic pain for a healthier and happier life
Some of the most common modalities used for canine and feline rehabilitation are listed below
Dry Land Physiotherapy
Fitness and exercise are key to your pets overall health and mobility. There are many benefits to dry land training and conditioning that will help your pet stay fit as well as improve mobility, strength, balance and endurance. There are a wide variety of exercises that can be implemented into a rehabilitation plan that can be done at home to help reach rehab goals.
Underwater Treadmill
Hydrotherapy is an effective and fun way to help your pet recover, re-strengthen, regain and
train their muscles and joints. Water has natural properties such as buoyancy and resistance that help to promote muscle integrity, balance and assist in gait training. This therapy can be used in a wide variety of orthopedic and neurologic conditions including pre and post operative therapy and is also beneficial for muscle maintenance and strengthening. The underwater treadmill is a great tool for conditioning with seniors or agility pets and can be easily integrated into weight loss programs.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is a non-invasive therapeutic option that can help alleviate and manage chronic and acute conditions. Laser therapy aids in the body’s natural healing process to reduce inflammation by increasing blood flow, and promoting cellular growth and metabolism.
Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound therapy is a deep heating therapy that is commonly used to treat conditions or injuries pertaining to tendons and muscles. Ultrasound can assist with joint range of motion, and can alleviate pain associated with tendinopathies. This therapy works through heat absorption and the therapist is able to control the depth of penetration to achieve the desired effect on tissues.
Electro-Stimulation (NMES/TENS Therapies)
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are therapies that are used to assist with muscle injuries or to control pain. Sometimes after an injury or surgery muscles and nerves can become stagnant or begin to atrophy during recovery, it is important to keep these muscles strong and active and if a patient is unable to be physically active a therapist can use electrical stimulation therapy to help stimulate those dormant muscles and nerves.
Some of the most common modalities used for canine and feline rehabilitation are listed below
Dry Land Physiotherapy
Fitness and exercise are key to your pets overall health and mobility. There are many benefits to dry land training and conditioning that will help your pet stay fit as well as improve mobility, strength, balance and endurance. There are a wide variety of exercises that can be implemented into a rehabilitation plan that can be done at home to help reach rehab goals.
Underwater Treadmill
Hydrotherapy is an effective and fun way to help your pet recover, re-strengthen, regain and
train their muscles and joints. Water has natural properties such as buoyancy and resistance that help to promote muscle integrity, balance and assist in gait training. This therapy can be used in a wide variety of orthopedic and neurologic conditions including pre and post operative therapy and is also beneficial for muscle maintenance and strengthening. The underwater treadmill is a great tool for conditioning with seniors or agility pets and can be easily integrated into weight loss programs.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is a non-invasive therapeutic option that can help alleviate and manage chronic and acute conditions. Laser therapy aids in the body’s natural healing process to reduce inflammation by increasing blood flow, and promoting cellular growth and metabolism.
Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound therapy is a deep heating therapy that is commonly used to treat conditions or injuries pertaining to tendons and muscles. Ultrasound can assist with joint range of motion, and can alleviate pain associated with tendinopathies. This therapy works through heat absorption and the therapist is able to control the depth of penetration to achieve the desired effect on tissues.
Electro-Stimulation (NMES/TENS Therapies)
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are therapies that are used to assist with muscle injuries or to control pain. Sometimes after an injury or surgery muscles and nerves can become stagnant or begin to atrophy during recovery, it is important to keep these muscles strong and active and if a patient is unable to be physically active a therapist can use electrical stimulation therapy to help stimulate those dormant muscles and nerves.