What is Veterinary Physiotherapy
Veterinary Physiotherapy is a degree-based health care profession that involves the assessment and treatment of problems and injuries that affect muscles, soft tissue, joints and nerves. Veterinary Physiotherapy involves movement analysis with the knowledge of the neuro-musculoskeletal system (nerves, skeleton and muscles); in order to identify and develop an appropriate programme to treat the presenting problem(s). Veterinary Physiotherapy uses a physical approach to promote, restore and maintain movement and function.
Veterinary Physiotherapy will assess and treat a wide range of conditions using manual techniques; these include joint and soft tissue mobilisations/manipulations. Electrotherapies such as laser, ultrasound, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and electrical muscle stimulation, maybe used alone or in conjunction with manual techniques, to optimise the body’s ability to heal. Veterinary Physiotherapy also encompasses rehabilitation exercise programmes and techniques, including muscle strengthening, kinesio-taping, tactile stimulation and training aids.
Who Can Benefit From Physiotherapy?
In the same way that Physiotherapy has proven successful for humans, Veterinary Physiotherapy has now become a more legislative and widely accepted form of treatment for animals. Veterinary Physiotherapy can benefit patients of all ages and breeds; from an elderly arthritic dog who is struggling to perform daily activities, to an Olympic Dressage rider aiming for Gold!
- Restore, maintain and improve joint Range of Movement
- Alleviate / reduce pain caused by surgery or medical problems
- Improve gait biomechanics
- Improve, maintain or restore muscle strength and mobility
- Increase flexibility and muscle extensibility
- Aid recovery from neurological and orthopedic problems
- Improve proprioception and sensory awareness
Treatments provided cover a wide range of animals from happy hackers to racehorses, family pets to working police dogs. Your horse, pony or dog may need treatment if they are progressing their work level, for example through dressage training or jumping, increasing daily walks, or if your horse is frequently working hard. If your animal has had an accident, injury or illness, he may suffer soft tissue damage which can lead to abnormalities in the way he moves; with a resultant change in his way of going and poor performance.
Veterinary Physiotherapy can also be beneficial in the treatment and management of secondary problems due to orthopaedic conditions, such as: kissing spines, navicular syndrome, osteoarthritis and bone spavin. It is important that these conditions have first been diagnosed by your veterinary surgeon.
If you are unsure whether physiotherapy is appropriate for your animal, please get in touch for free non-obligatory advice.