The type and amount of treatment your pet will need depends on several factors
such as physiacl condition, type and stage of injury and age.
Treatment can include a combination of
- Soft tissue/massage techniques
- Joint mobilisation
- Electrotherapy
- Exercise therapy
- Home exercise programme
Soft tissue/massage techniques
soft tissue mobilisation, myofascial massage and trigger point release
can help to alleviate muscle tension and soreness originating from muscles and the connective tissue. It helps to restore
normal muscle length and normal mobility in your pet. Primary muscle tension can occur from overstretching injuries.
Secondary muscle tension can occur through compensation for other problems such as long-term lameness, surgery, arthritis
and old injuries.
Regular soft tissue treatments can help maintain comfort in more elderly or
arthritic dogs. It is also useful for owners to learn some of the massage techniques in order to continue the benefits
in between physiotherapy treatments.
Agility and working dogs benefit greatly from regular check-ups/soft tissue
treatments. These can help to:
- Warm up muscles & joints prior to heavy work
- Cool down/ remove lactic acid after working
- Improve muscle & joint range of motion
- Pick up any potential problems early
The warm up is an important part of your dogs training/competition routine and
should not be underestimated. Especially if a dog has a known area of old injury it crucial that the dog's
muscles are ready to work. This involves certain massage techniques, general cardiovascular work and discipline specific warm-up
tasks.
A cool down massage routine can also help to alleviate any delayed onset muscle
soreness (DOMS) which can occur after working.
Joint mobilisation
Joint mobilisation is essential for the best management of any degenerative
joint disease/arthritis. It helps promote healthier cartilage and minimises any joint stiffness that can result from lack
of use and immobility.
It is a vital aspect of many post-operative therapy regimes including cranial
cruciate ligament repair, femoral head and neck excision and after spinal injury/surgery.
Electrotherapy
This can include:
Electrical muscle stimulation: This is occasionally used after injury
or surgery to support weak muscles until your pet is able to establish full functional weight bearing. It can help speed recovery
and at the very least can minimise any further muscle wasting. It is an important part of any rehab following peripheral nerve
injury or where a dog has flaccid muscles after certain spinal injuries.
Laser: Low level therapeutic laser or cold laser is a form of
phototherapy that is utilised in the management of acute and chronic injury. It can help tremendously with pain relief and
reduction of inflammation and swelling. It is also very beneficial in the treament of trigger points and muscle pain. It works
differently to therapeutic ultrasound but has similar benefits. It is fast and effective and invloves no clipping of the hair
and no contact gel so less mess!
TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulation. This is a form
of pain relief. It involves the application of electrodes to the patient which supplies a gentle therapeutic electrical current
to block the pain signals to the brain via the spinal cord.
Exercise therapy & rehabilitation
Exercise therapy can take many forms and depends on the stage of recovery
your pet has reached and the type of injury/condition they have sustained. Exercises are designed to promote healing and restore
normal movement and function as much as possible. It may involve the facilitation of normal movement patterns by the correct
handling of the physiotherapist. It can also invlove the use of equipment such as gym balls, wobble cushions and cavaletti
rails.
Home exercise programmes
The best outcome after any surgery or injury is achieved through early physiotherapy
intervention and continued home exercise inbetween physiotherapy visits. Owners are advised on appropriate stretching
and rehab exercises to do with their pet at home to help improve their recovery further.
