WHAT IS VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPY?

What is Veterinary Physiotherapy?

Veterinary physiotherapy incorporates the assessment and treatment of animals with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions to reduce pain and improve function. Working as complementary therapists to veterinary surgeons under The Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015; veterinary phsyiotherapists provide specialist, tailored care and advice to maximise the quality of life and comfort of animals undergoing rehabilitation, prehabilitation, strengthening and pallative care.

Which patients benefit from veterinary physiotherapy?

1 / Prehabilitation, Post-operative and Rehabilitation Patients

These treatments are tailored for animals undergoing veterinary treatment or surgery. They are aimed at reducing pain and restoring balanced, comfortable movement. Common canine conditions treated include hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament rupture and intervertebral disc disease. Common equine conditions include suspensory desmitis and kissing spines.

2 / Competition and Performance Conditioning

Conditioning treatments focus on finding and relieving areas of tension which if left untreated could inhibit performance. Tailored strengthening exercise programmes are also provided for each athlete - these focus on identifying and targeting performance weaknesses to produce a well-balanced athlete and optimise competitive outcomes.

3 / Long-term Condition Management & Palliative Care

Maintenance and palliative treatments focus on controlling the patient's pain. A variety of treatment modalities are used to improve patient comfort. Environmental considerations are also discussed with each owner to help both pet and owner to live an easier, more comfortable and stress-free life.

Treatments

Manual Therapies

At Optimum Veterinary Physiotherapy we use a combination of manual therapies, electrophysical agents and remedial exercises to optimise patient outcomes. Kinesiology taping may also be applied to prolong the effects of treatment. All treatments used are derived from evidence-based research, meaning they are scientifically-proven to be effective.

A variety of massage techniques are used to improve blood flow, increase extensibility and relieve tension within muscles. Massage is also an excellent tool for initiating tissue (and patient) relaxation!

Myofascial release techniques are used alongside massage to restore fascia to its normal state. Fascia is a connective tissue network which interlinks the musculoskeletal system - this can become dehydrated, painful and restricted when affected by injury or illness.

Passive range of motion involves a therapist moving a joint through its normal movement to increase joint lubrication, reduce pain and restore normal function.

Stretching improves musculoskeletal movement and flexibility through initiating a neural response and relieving restriction within muscles.

Electrophysical Agents

Electrophysical agents alter the electrical responses of muscles and joints to initiate pain relief and relieve tension.

LASER is used to stimulate or inhibit cellular responses. Inhibitory doses send more energy into the tissue to provide an anti-inflammatory effect and block the transmission of pain signals. Stimulatory doses are used to increase blood flow and improve energy production required for the healing of wounds and tissues.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) stimulates the nerves within a muscle to provide pain relief and relax tense tissues.

Heat Therapy is used within our physiotherapy sessions to improve blood flow and tissue flexibility, alongside reducing pain and spasm within muscles.

Remedial Exercises

Remedial exercises are targeted exercises which improve musculoskeletal condition by improving strength, joint loading, posture and dynamic balance.

They can be used within rehabilitation to restore normal strength and function. They also benefit athletes and prehabilitation cases by maximising strength and stamina. Animals undergoing palliative care benefit from exercises which help to maintain movement and improve mental stimulation.

Kinesiology taping may be used alongside remedial exercises to facilitate healing, prolong therapeutic effects and improve muscle strength and build.