Rehabilitation Services

The physiotherapy method used will vary according to each individual patient and the conditions treated. With the help of various modern technologies, state of the art equipment and facilities and skilled therapists, we can provide your pet with the best possible path to recovery.

Orthopaedic conditions

Post-operative rehabilitation: e.g. joint surgery such as hip, stifle, elbow, amputation, ligament/tendon repair.

• Acute and chronic soft tissue injuries (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligament or joint capsule) Osteoarthritis or joint disease (e.g. hips or elbows) Trauma and wound management
• Sport injuries

Neurological conditions

• Post-operative rehabilitation (e.g. spinal decompression surgery)
• Intervertebral disc disease (conservative management)
• Central or peripheral nerve injuries
• Fibrocartilaginous embolism
• Degenerative myelopathy
• Balance/vestibular problems

Physiotherapy techniques and modalities for rehabilitation

1. Manual therapy

Involves the use of specific passive and active movement techniques in a therapeutic and healing manner. Consists of soft tissue release, myofascial release, stretching, and specific joint mobilisations. These techniques help to reduce pain, improve muscle length, improve joint range of motion, promote blood flow to required areas, as well as for relaxation.

2. Electrotherapy

Therapy using electronic devices such as laser therapy, electro-muscular and nerve stimulation, and therapeutic ultrasound.

Laser therapy

LASER (Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is a form of electromagnetic radiation. It is the absorption of light in irradiated tissues by specific biomolecules. The light energy is transformed into biochemical energy which ultimately results in the alteration of cellular functions such as cell metabolism, as well as stimulation of tissue healing. Laser therapy also helps to decrease pain by desensitisation of the pain receptors.

EMS (Electro-Muscular Stimulation)

EMS is the application of low-or medium frequency electrical currents to stimulate sensory and motor nerves to facilitate muscle contraction or pain relief. It helps to strengthen muscles and prevent/slow down muscle atrophy, re-educate muscle control, improve sensory awareness, reduce muscle spasm, and reduce swelling.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

TENS works on the same principles as EMS, however, it is mainly used to reduce pain. It works by increasing blood flow (thereby removing waste products), causes localised blocking of peripheral nerve fibres, and inhibits nerve conduction of pain through pain-gating mechanisms as well as descending inhibitory mechanisms.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Ultrasound therapy makes use of the application of longitudinal sound waves to the body. The penetration of the sound waves causes the tissues being treated to oscillate in the same direction as the sound waves. This stimulates tissue healing, pain relief, as well as fracture healing. Ultrasound therapy has also been proven to be effective on tissues with high collagen content such as ligaments, tendons, fascia, joint capsule, and scar tissue.

3. Heat and Cold Therapies

Cold therapy (cryotherapy) can be used in the acute stage of inflammation (first 2-3 days following injury/surgery) as well as in certain cases of chronic inflammation (e.g. arthritis). The benefits of cold therapy include reducing pain, reducing blood flow, inflammation, swelling, and reducing muscle spasticity.

Heat therapy (thermotherapy) is used after the initial acute period of inflammation (days 4-5 onwards after injury/surgery). The benefits of heat therapy include reducing pain, reducing muscle spasm and promoting muscle relaxation, increasing circulation in the area, improving soft tissue elasticity, and increasing nerve conduction velocity.

4. Therapeutic Exercise

Therapeutic exercise is the systematic execution of planned physical movements and activities. It is used to prevent long-term physical dysfunction, helps function return to normal/optimal level, reduce the risk of injuries, enhance overall health, improve fitness, and aids weight loss. Therapeutic exercise helps to increase overall strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and proprioception.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy involves the use of physical properties of water to facilitate rehabilitation process and enable a quicker return to function of the patient. Buoyancy is when the body is placed in water, experiences an upward thrust equal to the weight of the water it has displaced. It allows the patient to exercise with reduced pressure on the joints. Hydrostatic pressure is when the water exerts a certain amount of pressure on the body, which may help to reduce oedema and increase lymph drainage. Water viscosity and turbulence provides resistance which can help to improve muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness, as well as potentially improve sensory awareness.

Benefits of Hydrotherapy

• Reduced pressure on the joints and tissue structures
• Improved range of motion by increased flexion and extension movements
• Increase in blood circulation
• Increases muscular strength and prevents atrophy
• Improves cardiovascular fitness
• Provides form of exercise when land-based activities are restricted
• Allows quicker return to normal function
• Reduces oedema/swelling through hydrostatic pressure
• Provides relaxation

Specific land-based exercises

• Patients recovering from injury/surgery
• Geriatric/elderly patients suffering from arthritic joints
• Neurological patients that require return to normal function
• Specific training for athletic/working dogs
• General exercise to improve overall health and maintain normal function

5. Kinesiotaping

Kinesiotaping is the application of a specialised adhesive tape to a specific area of the body. It works by physically lifting the skin in the area of application to help increase circulation (improve blood flow and lymph drainage). It also stimulates the mechanoreceptors in the area, increasing awareness and promoting correct usage of muscles, as well as providing stability to the joints. Different taping techniques will determine its function.

Contact our physiotherapy centre today to book an appointment and start the journey to the ultimate quality of life for your pet.

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