Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for dogs can be extremely beneficial to keeping your dog functional, comfortable, maintain fitness as well serve as a form of treatment for chronic conditions or post injury. Regular treatments can improve performance and minimise the risk of further injury. We offer an exercise prescription specifically based around your dog’s needs which can be applied in our hydrotherapy and at home.
What will my physiotherapy session look like?
Before administering treatment, just like hydrotherapy, your dog must have an initial assessment. This covers a wide range of physical health checks including posture and confirmation, gait and movement, neurological, range of movement and muscle mass/fitness. Once your physiotherapist has developed your bespoke treatment plan. Treatment will incorporate a number of the below…
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.
Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field Therapy: PEMF can help a range of issues such as aiding healing of non-union fractures, swelling reduction, easing muscle tension, promoting tendon and ligament healing and pain relief. It doesn't produce a physical sensation as it works at a cellular level, and therefore is tolerated extremely well by all animals. It works by pulsing a magnetic field that induces a charge across cell membranes using ions, charged particles.
Red Light Therapy: Red light phototherapy is the application of specific wavelengths of near infrared and infrared light. The best application of red light phototherapy is on wound healing, such as post-op wounds, as it promotes a quick recovery with reduced scar tissue. It also helps reduce trigger points, muscle and joint pain and works effectively on acupuncture points for a full body release. It works by a process called photobiomodulation, the energy of the light is absorbed by tissue therefore transferring energy.
At-home exercise plan: We will advise 'at home exercises' that can be done between treatments in order to get the best results & best quality of life for your dog. Don’t worry, we 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.
Hydrotherapy: Physiotherapy & Hydrotherapy both complement each other. Physiotherapy works on a range of musculoskeletal problems with manual techniques which allow our hydrotherapists to gain a more correct gait pattern, increased muscle mass, improved joint mobility and flexibility in the correct areas in a safe and controlled manor. This unique, integrated treatment of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy creates a multi disciplinary team that ensures every patient has the best rehabilitation plan to suit their needs.