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Animal Physical Therapy Treatment(s)
After the initial evaluation, the therapist in collaboration
with the referring veterinarian will establish a plan of treatment, which
may include several of the following therapy treatments. Factors considered
in selecting appropriate treatment include the dog’s diagnosis, severity
of symptoms, age, temperament, training, and activity level:
| Intervention |
Description |
Used for: |
| Cold/cryotherapy |
Ice pack or ice massage decreases blood flow, relieves
pain and swelling/inflammation |
Acute soft tissue injuries, fractures, post surgery |
| Electrical stimulation for muscle
re-education |
Electrical stimulation which elicits a muscle contraction |
Preventing atrophy, strengthening weak muscles post
surgery, neurological cases |
| Electrical stimulation for pain
control |
T.E.N.S. (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
and Microcurrent decrease pain, relieves muscle spasm, may be used to stimulate acupuncture
points |
Pain and edema post surgery, arthritic pain, muscle
spasm |
| Gait training |
Facilitation of balance and normal gait pattern (forward,
backward, turning, uphill, etc.) |
Lameness, neurological cases, muscle weakness |
| Heat |
Hot packs increase blood flow and tissue extensibility,
decrease pain, muscle spasm and stiffness |
Chronic soft tissue injuries, arthritis, muscle spasm |
| Home Program |
Educate owners on home modalities, exercise, activity
restrictions, etc. |
Every one of our clients! |
| Hydrotherapy |
Standing/walking/exercising in water, swimming in
4' deep pool or 27" deep hot tub, use of "jets" for
massage in hot tub. |
Strengthening with limited weight bearing, endurance
training, neurological cases, arthritis, soft tissue injuries |
| Iontophoresis |
Use of direct electrical current to deliver ions into
tissues - specific chemicals used for various conditions |
Ex: Salicylate and Cortisone for arthritis, tendonitis,
bursitis; Acetic acid for calcium deposits |
| Joint Mobilization |
Passive motion of articular surfaces to restore joint
mobility, decrease joint pain & stiffness |
Arthritis, sprains/strains, dysplasia, post surgery
when joint is stable |
| Low Level (cold) Laser |
Infrared light penetrates deep into the tissue, stimulates
cellular energy and metabolic processes which promote healing and
tissue regeneration. |
Wound healing, pain, arthritis, tendonitis/bursitis,
sprains/strains inflammation, muscle soreness |
| Range of Motion Exercises |
Active or passive motion to stretch and realign soft
tissue, circulate joint fluid, encourage normal limb use and restore/maintain
joint mobility |
Arthritis, tendonitis/bursitis, sprains/strains, dysplasia,
post surgery when joint is stable, neurological cases |
| Soft tissue mobilization/ massage |
Manipulation of superficial and deep soft tissue to
prevent and treat adhesions, improve blood flow and muscle flexibility,
relax muscle spasm, reduce edema |
Muscle injuries/spasms, arthritis, tendonitis/bursitis,
post surgery for edema, sprains/strains |
| Strengthening Exercises |
Active exercise to strengthen/contract muscles: i.e.
weight shifting, sit to stand, "dancing" and "wheelbarrow"
activities, progressing to resistive exercise with therapy bands or
weights |
Post surgical atrophy, weakness, arthritis, dysplasia,
neurological cases, soft tissue injuries |
| Ultrasound |
Therapeutic ultrasound can heat deeper tissues, increase
tissue extensibility, decrease pain and muscle spasm. Can also be
used to deliver topical medications such as cortisone into tissues
(phonophoresis) |
Arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle spasm, sprain/strains |
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