_edited_edited.png)
Physical Rehabilitation
(Physiotherapy)
The goal of physical rehabilitation or physiotherapy for animals is to improve their quality of life by reducing pain and increasing their mobility. Rehabilitation is mainly used to enhance recovery following surgery or injury as well as to improve mobility and general wellbeing when surgery is not an option. It is also used to improve the comfort and health of geriatric or obese animals and to prevent future problems of age-related and degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.
After a thorough physical examination, a therapy plan is created for the specific condition of each animal.
Modalities used in physiotherapy:
Hydrotherapy
The use of water such as swimming, and walking on an underwater treadmill, improves muscle and joint function in animals. Water resistance and buoyancy help regain muscle strength and endurance while minimizing the stress on joints by decreasing the weight placed on the animal’s limbs and allowing very weak or injured animals to be able to work with their bodies. Hydrotherapy is highly recommended for dogs recovering from orthopedic surgery or suffering from a neurological disorder such as paralysis.
Strengthening and Muscle Building Exercises
Are a set of different exercises to strengthen the muscle of the body, in animals that have undergone surgery or are injured or weak.
Coordination and Balance Exercises
Are exercises that help the animal regain or improve proprioception: the body’s ability to sense the correct movement, action, and location in every muscle movement. These exercises are especially useful for dogs suffering from neurological conditions.
Massage
Most animals find massage comforting. It is used to relieve muscle tension and stimulate muscle development. This helps speed up recovery from injuries and surgery by increasing the blood flow to the problem area and thus relieving muscle spasms.
Cold Laser Therapy
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) – also known as cold or soft laser – works by directing a beam of coherent light onto the injury. This beam activates the damaged tissue by increasing local circulation and improving tissue oxygenation allowing the tissue to heal faster decreasing pain and inflammation caused by sprains and strains, arthritis, and joint injuries. Laser is also used in stimulating acupuncture.
Thermotherapy
It involves applying either heat or cold to an affected body part. Heat is used to help the animal relax, ease pain, and feel more comfortable before applying certain physical therapy techniques as it decreases stiffness in the joints and thus increases the range of movement and blood flow. Cold is used to lower pain and inflammation when the injury is acute.