WHAT IS VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPY?
"Veterinary physiotherapists work alongside veterinary surgeons to help reduce pain, improve mobility and prevent recurrence or injury in animals"
Veterinary physiotherapy is a beneficial therapy becoming increasingly popular and widely recognised. Main aims include:
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Pain relief and management
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Promoting healing
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Rehabilitation of injuries
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Prehabilitation of injuries
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Improving and maintaining balance, proprioception and strength
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Correcting compensatory movements
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Improving and maintaining comfort
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Maintaining muscle mass and strength
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Post operative/surgical care
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Conservative management
WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL?
Veterinary physiotherapy has multiple benefits and can be individually tailored to suit each individual patient including: age, workload, fitness, conservatively managed or surgical intervention.
It can be beneficial for post surgery cases to build muscle mass, improve strength and improve rehabilitation alongside athletic animals to enhance performance, maintain fitness and reduce injury risk.
Veterinary physiotherapy includes a full assessment of an animal alongside treatment of certain areas. Treatment options include a combination of:
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Massage
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Stretching
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Myofascial release
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Passive range of motion
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Electrotherapies (such as ultrasound, laser, TENS)
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Tailored rehabilitation exercise programmes
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K-taping
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Hydrotherapy