Many people have recovered from injuries and surgery thanks to physical therapy or rehabilitation. Physical therapy is being utilized to a greater extent in animals to help restore the mobility and function of an animal and improve its quality of life. Although it’s typically used in dogs, physical rehabilitation is possible in any pet treatment plan.
The utilization of non-invasive techniques to improve function and aid in recovery from both recent and long-term diseases is known by the term physical rehab. Physical therapy in veterinary medicine can help patients recover more quickly after traumas, surgical procedures, and chronic diseases, which allows them to resume regular activities faster.
Types of Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation
Nearly every pet that suffers from a chronic inflammatory condition or recovering from an injury or accident can benefit from veterinary physical therapy. Many strategies in physical therapy for animals can be combined to achieve the full effect of treatment. Visit a veterinary website to learn more.
Therapeutic Exercises
This is among the primary physical rehabilitation techniques. The aim is to assist your pet in regaining maximum functionality while reducing discomfort and improving overall living.
Therapeutic exercises may be included in any rehabilitation plan to aid them in improving their strength, balance, and coordination. Various activities target specific muscle groups, improve the core muscles and strengthen muscles after an injury. Cat and dog vaccinations are essential for your pet’s overall health.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy uses the natural weight and buoyancy of the water to assist patients in walking through the treadmill underwater. Patients with paralysis or chronic illnesses can walk faster underwater than they would on land. A quicker return to activity is essential to their recovery.
A treadmill in the water can aid those with arthritis as the water eases pressure on aching joints and permits the pet to move more quickly. Because of the water resistance created, this can be an excellent exercise for canine athletes and fat patients, who get a more strenuous workout than walking on land.
Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy uses brilliant light to reduce inflammation and pain while improving healing in patients with arthritis, surgical incisions, and other wounds. Laser treatment is frequently used to improve wound healing following surgery or a severe injury, such as the loss of tissue following a car accident, and to control discomfort in pets suffering from chronic illnesses, such as arthritis.
Laser treatment can alleviate pain in soft tissue, bones, and joints. Laser therapy also helps reduce inflammation while speeding up wound healing and tissue restoration.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation can help pets with temporary paralysis or be in a position to use specific muscles for a short time to strengthen them and stop muscular atrophy. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a different method for stimulating the release of pain-reducing chemicals from nerves. The muscle contractions induced by this treatment can aid pets suffering from muscle atrophy triggered due to inactivity or improper use of their legs.
Passive Range of Motion
Physical therapists aid patients in exercising their range of motion passively to reduce the loss of function in nonambulatory patients, to help patients restore normal function throughout rehabilitation, and to help improve circulation to cartilage for healing. Range of motion exercises is crucial for joint lubrication and flexibility after injuries or surgeries. After an accident, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible to help fix any physical or dental problems that can be solved.
