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Animal Physiotherapy

Animal physiotherapy has the same benefits for animals as physiotherapy does for humans. It is a way to help rehabilitate an animal in a safe and effective manner to help return them to normal function and to prevent further injury. Animal physiotherapy is useful after an injury or surgery, helping to maintain strength, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance performance in sporting animals, as well as helping senior animals to reduce pain, and improve their mobility and quality of life.

Massage Therapy

Massage is the manipulation and mobilisation of soft tissues in the body and can involve several different techniques to get the desired results. The physical benefits of massage include:

  • loosening tight muscles

  • stretching connective tissue

  • relieving muscle spasms and cramps

  • decreases muscle fatigue

  • loosens and improves the range of motion in the joints

  • increases muscle strength

  • calms the nervous system

  • improves circulation

  • firms up muscle and skin tone

  • speeds up healing from illness or injury

  • aids in lymphatic drainage

Massage is also mentally beneficial by:

  • inducing relaxation

  • improving the length and quality of sleep

  • releiving stress, anxiety, depression and irritation

  • improving concentration and sense of well-being

Stretch & Mobilisation

Stretching is used to help either restore or maintain a normal range of movement and muscle flexibility. The main benefits of stretching include:

  • relaxation and reduction of tension and stiffness

  • increased circulation

  • improved elasticity of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint capsules

  • improved coordination and proprioception

  • increased flexibility and range of motion of the joints

Passive stretches, which involve no muscular input from the animal, are used to assess range of motion and help mobilise and nourish the joints. Active stretches are achieved with muscular input from the animal, such as with baited stretches using a treat for encouragement, and will achieve the above list of benefits. Muscles should always be warmed up and relaxed before stretching so as not to cause discomfort or possible injury.

PEMF Therapy

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy uses coils to apply pulsed electromagnetic frequencies to the area being treated, allowing benefits such as:

  • enhancing the body's natural recovery process

  • corrects cellular disfunction

  • improves circulation and increases oxygen in the blood

  • reduces pain and inflammation

PEMF influences cell bahaviour by inducing electrical changes around and within the cell. This helps to improve blood supply and increase oxygen pressure which activates and regenerates cells. It also helps improve calcium transport which increases the absorption of calcium in bones and improves the quality of cartilage in joints.

Phototherapy

There are two different colours used in phototherapy: blue light and ultra bright red/infrared light.

Blue light phototherapy has a superficial antibacterial effect, when used on fresh wounds the risk of bacterial contamination will be greatly reduced.

Ultra bright red/infrared light has many benefits such as:

  • increasing vasodilation at a capillary level

  • rapidly increasing cells that are needed for tissue repair

  • accelerating collagen synthesis for tissue repair

  • stimulates epithelial cells to reduce scar tissue and prevent proud flesh

  • relaxes tight muscles and reduces discomfort

  • stimulates the release of endorphins, the "feel good" hormones

Using red light phototherapy on particularly tight or painful muscles helps the animal to relax enough to allow for massage to commence, and makes for a more beneficial treatment.

Exercise Prescription

Often your animals will need to perform extra exercises and/or stretches in between their treatment sessions to be able to get the most out of their rehabilitation. In this case they will be discussed and demonstrated at their session, with the option of having detailed pictures, videos and descriptions of the specific exercises/stretches emailed to you for your convenience to reference when needed.

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