Therapy

 

Active Therapeutic Exercises 

Active exercise involves guided voluntary motion. While active exercise is in many ways the foundation of physical rehabilitation, the exercises must never cause overuse or strain. Our Veterinarian will customize a Home Exercise Program for the patient with specific goals and frequent re-evaluations.

 

 Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles into specific areas to treat a diagnosed condition. These specific points are called acupuncture points and are mapped and diagramed for each species body. In veterinary practice, acupuncture may be used alone to treat musculoskeletal pain, or in conjunction with other therapies.

Cryo and Heat Therapy 

When applied to the body, cryotherapy removes heat. Some of it’s actions are vasoconstriction, slowed nerve conduction and decreases pain sensation. The actions of heat are increased enzyme activity (>72 hours after insult), increased circulation, increased muscle contractility, increased ability for collagen to stretch and decreased pain.

 

 Joint Mobilization

Joint mobilization allows for greater movement and is important for restoring function to many patients.  Mobilization of the spinal column can provide relief from spasms and pain. The grades (degrees) of mobilizations used depend on variables in the joint itself. Compression and distraction is used with stretching to achieve the desired non-painful result. 

 

  Land Treadmill

The Jog-A-Dog is used for increasing strength and endurance as well as re-educating front to back balance and normal foot placement. Front to back balance becomes an issue when a patient starts to shift their weight in a certain direction to favor a painful limb. By having the patient walk uphill or downhill we can correct this habit. By walking uphill, a patient with nonclinical hip dysplasia can strengthen the muscles that support the hip which in turn will decrease laxity and delay the onset of clinical signs. When a patient places a limb laterally post surgery they will often place it back to normal position when walking on a treadmill, especially if the treadmill is at an angle which decreases the weight being put on the affected limb. When a patient is on the treadmill will monitor for gait changes, exercise intolerance and record time, speed, angle and progress of the patient.

 Magnetic Therapy

The type of magnetic therapy that we use is called Static Magnetic Therapy and is in the form of pet beds. Static magnets are stationary and have a North and South pole. The North and South poles are reported to have different effects. The effects of using the North Pole side of the magnet include pain relief, stimulation of bone healing, enhancement of vasoconstriction, decreased blood pressure and, by decreasing mitosis, slowing the growth rate of cancer and bacterial cells. The effects of using the South Pole side of the magnet include strengthening and promoting growth by stimulation cell division.

 Neuromuscular Stimulation (NMES)

NMES is the application of an electrical current to elicit a muscle contraction. The main purpose of NMES in rehabilitation is for muscle strengthening. Clinical uses include reducing disuse atrophy post surgery or injury, reversing muscle atrophy and strengthening selected muscles (neuromuscular re-education).

 

 Passive Therapeutic Exercises

Passive exercises consist of passive range of motion (PROM) and stretching exercises. These exercises are performed to help maintain or improve flexion and extension of joints, help the body's awareness of neuromuscular structure and function, and improve flexibility of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Passive range of motion exercises are very important if the patient is not using a body part or has limited movement of a body part.

 

Therapeutic Laser

Laser stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the stimulation of tissue with low energy lasers to achieve therapeutic effects. The most common indications for laser include treating acupuncture points, trigger points, edema, wounds and ulcers and postoperative pain. LLLT is also indicated for soft tissue trauma, wounds, tendonitis, and pain relief. The biologic effects of laser include accelerated cell division, increased leukocyte phagocytosis, stimulation of fibroblasts and collagen formation and degranulation of mast cells.

 Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic massage increases circulation to improve healing, decreases pain and reduces swelling. It can be used for acute or chronic problems, but the pressure and intensity of the massage will vary with the pain level of the patient. Massage therapy increases blood flow (which improves oxygen delivery to tissues) and breaks down scar tissue. It also promotes mental and physical relaxation.

 

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Ultrasound is the use of sound waves to treat tissue and its effects are both thermal and non-thermal. The therapeutic benefits of ultrasound include increased collagen extensibility, increased blood flow, increased range of motion due to changes in contractility of muscle, decreased pain and muscle spasm, increased enzyme activity, changes on nerve conduction velocity and accelerated wound healing due to facilitation of the inflammatory process. Ultrasound is commonly used on tendon and muscle injuries, and severe contractures.

 Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

TENS is used mostly for pain management. TENS decreases pain and inflammation by providing a low level electrical current which disrupts the normal pain perception pathways. The pulse rate and width can be controlled in order to deliver to desired effect.  TENS also can be used to stimulate acupuncture points in order to achieve a body-wide response.

 Underwater Treadmill

 

Patients that walk in the warm environment of the underwater treadmill benefit from increased range of motion, improved muscle flexibility and mobility, enhanced circulation and facilitation of front to rear and side to side balance. It relieves pain and increases muscle strength while decreasing the amount of weight being put on the joint which is extremely beneficial in the treatment of osteoarthritis. It is also an invaluable tool when working with neuropatients as not only can we help facilitate normal gaiting patterns in the water but studies have shown that patients take steps in the water before they have voluntary motion on the land. Swimming also has many benefits but dogs tend to swim with stronger strokes in the forelimbs compared to rear limb so this may not be the best treatment if the goal is to strengthen the rear limbs.

Dynamic variables in the underwater treadmill include buoyancy, resistance, flexion and extension of the limbs, speed and patterning. Buoyancy can be added if a life vest is worn; this makes swimming easier. Using the jets or water wings can increase resistance making the dog work harder. By changing the depth of the water, resistance, buoyancy and flexion/extension are affected. The higher the water level the more buoyant the patient is. Altering the treadmill speed will affect the speed of the patient and change the intensity of the work out. Gait patterning can be accomplished by moving or stimulating the limbs of the patient to move in a certain pattern.