Many people have recovered from injuries and surgery thanks to physical therapy or rehabilitation. Physical therapy is being utilized more and more in animals to help restore function, mobility, and quality of life. Although it is most typically used in dogs, physical rehabilitation may be included in any animal treatment plan.
The use of non-invasive procedures to restore function and facilitate recovery from both recent and long-term diseases is known as physical rehabilitation. Veterinary physical therapy can help patients heal more quickly from surgical procedures, traumas, and chronic diseases, allowing them to resume normal function sooner.
Types of Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation
Almost any pet suffering from a chronic inflammatory condition or recuperating from an accident or wound can benefit from veterinary physical therapy. Many strategies in veterinary physical rehabilitation can be employed separately or in combination to achieve the full effect of treatment; you can see more on this link.
Therapeutic Exercises
This is one of the essential animal physical therapy techniques. The objective is to assist your pet in regaining maximum function, reducing discomfort, and improving its overall quality of life.
Therapeutic exercises may be included in any patient’s rehabilitation plan to help them improve their strength, balance, and coordination. Various workouts target particular muscle groups, improve core muscles, and restore potency after disuse. Some examples include joint motion exercises, conditioning, strengthening, proprioception and balancing activities, and feline workouts.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy uses the natural buoyancy and resistance of water to aid patients in walking on an underwater treadmill. Patients with paralysis or very debilitating illnesses may frequently walk underwater faster than they can on land, and a quicker return to movement is a crucial component of their recovery.
Underwater treadmill treatment can also help individuals with persistent arthritis since the water relieves pressure on aching joints and allows the pet to move more freely. Because of the resistance of the water, this is an excellent exercise for canine athletes and fat patients, who get a more strenuous workout than walking on land.
Laser Therapy
Low-level laser treatment employs brilliant light to reduce pain and inflammation while enhancing healing in patients who have arthritis, surgical incisions, and other wounds. Laser treatment is frequently used to improve wound healing after surgery or a severe injury, such as tissue loss after a vehicle accident, and to control discomfort in pets with chronic illnesses such as arthritis.
Laser treatment can alleviate pain in soft tissue, bones, and joints. Laser therapy can also help decrease inflammation while hastening wound healing and tissue restoration.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation can help pets that have temporary paralysis or are unable to utilize specific muscles for a short period to strengthen their muscles and prevent muscular atrophy. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is another technique for stimulating the release of pain-relieving chemicals from nerves. The muscular contractions delivered by this therapy can help pets with muscle atrophy caused by inactivity or incorrect usage of their limbs.
Passive Range of Motion
Physical therapists assist patients in performing passive range-of-motion exercises to minimize function loss in nonambulatory patients, to help patients restore normal function throughout recovery, and to promote circulation to cartilage for healing. Range of motion exercises is critical for joint lubrication, developing flexibility, and enhancing joint mobility following injury or surgery. Additionally, consult your vet about dog or cat teeth problems to maintain their dental health after an accident or injury.
