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Integrative Veterinary Center
5524A Elvas Ave
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916)454-1825
fax(916)454-5865
Office Hours
8-5 Monday-Friday
Closed Wednesdays and Weekends
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Integrative Veterinary Center
5524A Elvas Ave
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916)454-1825
fax(916)454-5865
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Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
Canine rehabilitation and physical therapy utilizes the same physical therapy techniques as those used for humans. The purpose of rehabilitation is to return the body to normal function as quickly as possible following disease, injury or surgery, and to relieve acute or chronic pain.
The benefits of physical therapy are pain relief, early restoration of the neuromuscular system, reduction and prevention of muscle atrophy, improved muscle strength and flexibility, improvement in joint biomechanics, stimulation of blood circulation, improved cardiovascular function and weight reduction.
Rehabilitation Techniques
Hydrotherapy using the FERNO Underwater Treadmill: The center uses the FERNO underwater treadmill for hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy uses the principles of buoyancy and heat which decreases concussive and compressive forces on the joints. The warm water helps increase blood circulation, increases flexibility of muscles and joints and relieves pain. Water resistance helps to build muscle mass, strengthen limbs, and provide a cardiovascular workout. Underwater treadmill therapy provides continuous effective rehabilitation progress because of the ability to change the speed, resistance and depth of water in the treadmill. Exercise programs are individualized for each patient.
In the dog, hydrotherapy is primarily used for muscle strengthening and reeducation of the limbs. During hydrotherapy, multiple muscle groups can be worked simultaneously, and patients unable to stand or place full weight on their legs are able to exercise effectively because of the waters buoyancy, resistance and heat. This is especially important in the paralyzed patient.
In the dog, hydrotherapy is primarily used for muscle strengthening and reeducation of the limbs. During hydrotherapy, multiple muscle groups can be worked simultaneously, and patients unable to stand or place full weight on their legs are able to exercise effectively because of the waters buoyancy, resistance and heat. This is especially important in the paralyzed patient.
Geriatric, post-surgical and obese animals can exercise without injury for longer periods of time in the underwater treadmill than they could on land. The geriatric patient can rebuild muscle mass and prevent muscle atrophy, the post-surgical patient can have an earlier return to exercise and thus full function, and an overweight animal will experience a decrease in weight and an increase in overall fitness. Canine life vests or lifejackets made for dogs are used in the treadmill. The vests have handles that can be used to guide the dog. The therapist may also get into the treadmill with the dog to support the animal as it walks or swims. Most dogs, even if uncertain about being in water, typically accept hydrotherapy after 1-2 sessions without any problem. Hydrotherapy is usually combined with other physical therapy methods such as soft-tissue therapy and passive ROM exercises.
Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy is typically used to reduce pain, bleeding and inflammation. By decreasing muscle spasm and pain, the need for analgesics is reduced and rapid healing is enhanced. Cryotherapy methods include: ice cubes in plastic bags, ice-filled paper cups, packages of frozen peas, iced towels, cold whirlpool baths, continuous surface-cooling blankets, and commercial reusable cold packs and wraps. Cryotherapy works best if used within the first 24 to 72 hours following orthopedic surgery or an injury.
Massage Therapy: Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues with the hands to improve the circulation of blood and lymph, reduce inflammation, prevent muscle spasms, relieve pain, loosen up adhesions and stretch contracted tissues. Myofascial release is included in this category, which is a technique where the focus is on the connective tissues surrounding the muscles and joints.
Heat Therapy: Heat provides pain relief, causes muscle relaxation and increases joint flexibility. Heat improves blood circulation, which increases oxygen and nutrition to the surrounding tissues and carries toxic products away, which helps to speed the healing process. Heat therapy methods include: hot towels, circulating hot water blankets, warm baths or whirlpools, and commercially made hot packs, wraps and gel wraps.
Electrical Stimulation: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is the most commonly used form of electrical stimulation and uses a pulse generator and electrodes placed over selected muscle groups to cause muscle contraction. Pulse amplitude, rate and cycle length can be chosen and varies depending on the type of injury and tissues stimulated.
The most common use of NMES is immediately after surgery or an injury to prevent loss of muscle mass, increase muscle strength and joint range of motion, reeducate muscle, and decrease pain and swelling.
Range of Motion Exercises (ROM): In passive ROM exercises, all the joints of the limb are flexed and extended through their normal ROM. After each joint is treated with passive ROM exercises, the entire limb is moved through a range of motion similar to that of normal walking.
Passive ROM exercises are used following a traumatic injury or orthopedic surgery to reduce joint stiffness, improve flexibility, reduce scar tissue and adhesions, and to prevent muscle, tendon and ligament shortening. Passive ROM is used in the paralyzed patient to help with limb reeducation. Passive ROM exercises improve the circulation of blood and lymph and helps the animal to know where their limbs are in space.
Passive ROM exercises are usually started immediately after orthopedic surgery or injury and continued for up to three weeks. Clients are frequently asked to participate in this form of physical therapy at home.
Therapeutic Exercise: Therapeutic exercise improves muscular strength, endurance, cardiovascular function, balance and coordination while reducing joint stiffness and muscle atrophy. For most dogs, therapeutic exercise is usually started in the second to third week following surgery.
Therapeutic exercises include: standing, walking, trotting, stair climbing, wheelbarrowing (for front legs), dancing (for rear legs), sit-to-stand exercises, pulling/carrying weights, ball playing, taping an object to the bottom of the good foot, walking and trotting across poles spaced out on the ground at a low height, and walking with resistance applied with flexible latex tubing tied around chosen limbs. Therapeutic exercise is introduced slowly and is gradually increased over time. Most owners will be asked to participate in a home physical therapy program which includes many of these exercises.
Therapeutic Ultrasound: Ultrasound therapy is the use of high energy sound waves using an ultrasound probe to send these sound waves into the desired tissues, which absorb the waves and converts them to heat. Ultrasound therapy works similar to heat therapy. The main difference is in the depth of tissue heating: heat therapy is used for more superficial tissues and ultrasound is used to treat deeper tissues.
Ultrasound therapy improves circulation and increases the pliability of muscles, ligaments and tendons. It is frequently used to heat and break down scar tissues around joints which prevent the joint from obtaining its full range of motion.
Rehab-PT FAQ
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