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Veterinary Physiotherapy

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Veterinary physiotherapy is becoming more widely recognised as having an essential role to play in animal health and rehabilitation.

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The overall aims of physiotherapy are to promote healing and restore normal function by

Aiding in pain management

Reducing inflammation

Improving and / or maintaining joint mobility

Building and / or maintaining muscle mass and strength

Improving balance, coordination, core strength and stability

Improving proprioception 

Correcting compensatory gait patterns 

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Physiotherapy can be beneficial to both conservatively managed cases as well as surgical ones, and is designed to compliment any treatments or surgeries carried out by your veterinary surgeon.

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It can also benefit young animals by helping them develop good body awareness and movement patterns, thereby reducing the risk of injury, and those animals that take part in competitive sports, such as agility, flyball, dock diving, showing etc., by helping to maintain fitness, enhance performance and reduce injury risk.

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Therapies

Therapy is tailored to the individual animal and may consist of a combination of:

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Manual therapies

Massage

Myofascial release

Passive range of motion exercises

Passive stretches

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Active exercises

Active range of motion exercises

Active stretches

Core strength and stability work

Proprioceptive work

 

Electrotherapies

Therapeutic ultrasound

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy

Photobiomodulation Therapy (low level laser therapy / red phototherapy)

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Thermotherapies

Heat

Cold

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Hydrotherapy treadmill

Walking though water

Passive & active exercises in the water environment

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A home program is also provided to help support and continue your animals rehabilitation at home. Home programs may include advice on supportive exercises, proprioceptive enhancements, diet and lifestyle management.

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Common conditions

There are a wide range of conditions affecting dogs (and cats) of all ages, from the very young to the older companion, that can benefit from physiotherapy treatment inlcuding, but not limited to:

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Degenerative orthopaedic conditions 

Osteoarthritis

Hip dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia

Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)

 

Neurological conditions

Chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM)

Fibrocartilagenous embolism (FCE)

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)

Syringomyelia

 

Pre and post orthopaedic and neurogical surgery

Spinal surgery such as for IVDD

Fracture repair

Cruciate ligament repair

Patella luxation surgery

Femoral head and neck excision (FHNE)

Hip replacement

Amputations

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Soft tissue injuries

Muscle, tendon, ligament tears and strains

Wounds

 

Reduced function, general stiffness and / or weakness in older animals

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Muscular imbalances

Muscle atrophy 

Asymmetric muscle development

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If you are unsure as to whether your animal will benefit from treatment please get in touch.

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