treatments
working with the animal
Physiotherapy is supplied through a number of techniques that assist and encourage natural healing mechanisms and improve quality of life. Every consultation contains a thorough assessment of gait, demeanour and physical condition after taking a thorough history of your animal.
Every animal is an individual, and so each treatment session is unique and tailored accordingly.
All treatments are aimed at optimising the body's potential for healing by:
Restoring, maintaining or improving function.
Maintaining or improving joint mobility.
Muscle mass maintenance or improvement.
Providing an alternative to traditional methods of pain control.
Reducing the natural inflammatory responses.
Stimulate nerve regeneration.
Rehabilitation programmes can be developed in the form of exercise prescription, which can be carried out in between sessions. This allows you to work towards returning the animal to normal function or create an improvement in quality of life after each treatment session
assessment
Before any treatment can commence, your Vet Physio will undertake a full assessment of your Horse or Dog. Your Vet Physio may ask questions relating to historical issues, medication and normal habits to get a true understanding of your animals needs.
A Gait assessment will be carried out to assess your dog's movement followed by hands on palpation to assess muscle tone, plus a Range of motion assessment of joints.
Please note: A referral form will need to be completed by your Veterinarian before the first appointment, in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Download here
Manual Therapy combines a number of physiotherapy techniques. Primarily, a hands on approach, manual therapy includes manipulation, mobilisation and massage of tissue and joints.
Common methods used are:
Massage
Myofascial Release
Range of Motion
Joint Manipulation & Mobilisation
Soft Tissue Mobilisation
Trigger Point Release
Stretches
Thermotherapy
Acupressure
manual therapy
Laser Therapy or (photo-therapy) is the use of infra-red radiation into inflamed or damaged tissues to accelerate the body's natural healing process. Laser therapy is often used for musculoskeletal issues such as arthritis, but the benefits of laser have been suggested for a range of conditions.
Common conditions that benefit from Laser Therapy:
Chronic Arthritis
Surgical Incisions
Tendon & Ligament Injuries
Traumatic Injuries
Animals with Liver disease who cannot take medications
Older animals with diminished organ function
During a treatment, the hand held laser wand is slowly moved over the damaged tissue, producing a warm, pleasant sensation that most animals enjoy and find relaxing.
Laser Therapy
Ultrasound Therapy provides deep heat of the soft tissue including muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments. It is commonly used to increase circulation, mobilise the tissue and reduce inflammation. Promoting pain reduction, wound healing, increased range of motion and decrease in scar tissue.
Common conditions that benefit from Ultrasound Therapy:
Tendon Injuries
Ligament Injuries
Scar Tissue Problems
Preventing post operative scar tissue
Acute swelling
Muscle Injuries
Slow healing wounds
therapeutic ultrasound Therapy
Pulse magnetic
field therapy
Pulse Magnetic Field Therapy or (PEMF Therapy) uses bursts of low level electro-magnetical radiation to heal damaged tissue. It can be used to treat injuries, Musculoskeletal pain and chronic pain from long term conditions. It can also reduce stress and promote a calmed behaviour.
Common conditions that benefit from PEMF Therapy:
Tendonitis
Degenerative joint disease
Hip dysplasia
Vertebral Disease
Lameness caused by other musculoskeletal and neurological conditions
Exercise prescription
The fun doesn't have to stop once your Vet Physio has completed a treatment. They will advise you about 'at home exercises' that can be done between treatments in order to get the best results & best quality of life for your Horse or Dog.
Don't panic! Your Vet Physio will educate you fully, on how to undertake any exercise prescription and answer any questions you may have. You will be left feeling confident and fully knowledgeable about what you are doing.
Don't forget, your Vet Physio is always there to help and we love to hear how you and your four legged friend are getting on!
Common Exercise prescription may include:
Stretching
Walking Exercises
Use of stairs or areas around the house
Schooling exercises
Further referral
