Veterinary Physiotherapy is a combination of manual techniques, electrotherapies and exercise prescription.
Each treatment session is specifically tailored to your animal, with the final objective to promote healing and maintain good condition. Physiotherapy can be used for maintenance, performance and injury/surgery rehabilitation and recovery. Regular physiotherapy sessions can reduce the animals risk of injury and prevent minor issues becoming a clinical problem. All canine or equine treatments encompass three steps:
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​The first is a skilled and accurate assessment which consists of case history, palpation, static, dynamic, and joint range of motion assessments. This highlights any areas of muscle tension, pain or reduced function and will give a clear idea of how the animal is moving, feeling and behaving
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The second step selects the most suitable treatment. This could be manual therapies such as massage, myofascial release techniques and stretching. Electrotherapies such as Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy (PMFT), H-wave and / or LASER or INDIBA therapy may then also be included
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The third step is to design a tailored remedial exercise programme for you to work on with your dog or horse in-between vet physio sessions. The aim of this is to improve endurance, balance, strength, proprioception, range of motion, and gait retraining
Treatments
Manual Therapies
Massage is part of every treatment - it softens and refreshes strained or sore muscles through the rhythmical application of pressure, helping your dog or horse to relax and become more mobile.
Myofascial release is the part of the massage that uses stretching and lengthening techniques to target the fascia. Fascia is a thin layer of connective tissue just under the skin that covers the whole body. When this fascia becomes sticky or stuck to other structures in one area the effects resonate through the whole of the horse/dog and release can often cause a widespread beneficial effect.
Manual therapy involves a more hands-on technique to realign joints and supportive structures where they are out of shape. Relieving pain, releasing trigger points stretching and improving flexibility in this way, can help horses and dogs to exercise safely and effectively, thus strengthening the body more. ​​
Phototherapy (Laser)
LASER therapy offers a non-invasive, pain free and drug free treatment method which makes it ideal to use with both horses and dogs. Laura uses a Thor class 3B laser; this stimulates the body’s natural healing response by exciting cells, which in turn optimises repair and restores normal cell function.
Laser therapy is versatile and useful and can help with:
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Chronic arthritis
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Tendon and ligament injuries
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Muscle injuries /soft tissue injury/ skin wounds
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Nerve regeneration
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Generalised pain management
Laser therapy is particularly useful for dogs with limited medical treatment options due to liver disease or diminished organ function who cannot take oral painkiller medications. Unlike ultrasound it is also usable over pins and plates so excellent for post-op healing and an aid to bone repair too.
Laser treatments work by :
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Reducing inflammation and increasing collagen formation, which can both be effective in improving healing of tendons and ligaments and in soft tissue injuries
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Stimulation of blood flow to the desired area to bring in oxygen and cells involved in the healing process
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Stimulation of blood flow also then allows for muscle relaxation, faster pain relief and restorative function
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Endorphin release - a lot of animals actually enjoy the time they spend having therapy!
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Treatment is quick, a matter of seconds per point of application as the beam can be used against the skin. This offers a relaxing massage effect meaning it is well-received by animal patients, even those who are most anxious either through severity of injury or failing health. It has few contraindications and can in some cases have dramatic results.
Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy (PMFT)
PMFT is one of the most diverse of the electrotherapies.
Different settings of the PMFT can induce different effects; increasing and decreasing blood flow to benefit the different stages of injury, as well as inhibiting the transmission of pain signals.
It works by inducing a pulsed electro-magnetic wave through tissues, increasing the metabolic rate of the cells therefore improving a cell's repair process.
​Acute and chronic pain can be naturally treated, as specific settings interrupt the brains ability to transmit pain by decreasing the nerve cell energy.
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Oedema/ swelling and inflammation responds well whether it is chronic or acute; depending on the timing and injury, the machine can be set to constrict the blood vessels around the swelling (normally within the first 72 hours after injury), or dilate the blood vessels, increasing the circulation, oxygen and nutrients to the area to flush out the toxins and inflammation. This also aids wound healing.
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Conditions which therefore benefit from PMFT include:
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Fractures and Oesteoporosis, Non-union Fractures
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​Oedema / Swelling
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​Acute and Chronic Pain
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​Osteoarthritis
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​Joint Pain
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​Neurological Conditions
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​Soft Tissue Injury / Bruising
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​Wounds
H Wave Therapy
H-wave is similar to the TENs machine and can be used for pain relief, however with horses it is used a lot for decreasing muscle tension and muscle fasciculations. It creates muscle contractions through the pads, which:
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increases the blood circulation and brings new oxygenated blood and nutrients
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stimulates the lymphatic system and improves drainage through the area.
Because of it's action this provides an element of pain relief as it removes tension from the muscle and flushes out pain producing chemicals and toxins from the area,
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The H-wave combines muscular and neurological stimulation. The ‘H’ wave replicates the bodies natural nerve signal making it more comfortable and enjoyable for horses than other muscle stimulators such as TENS. The deep penetration can be more effective than manual massage; this electrotherapy is only suitable for use on horses.
Exercise Prescription
Exercise Prescription is used as part of the physiotherapy treatment for both horses and dogs.
Whether rehabilitation or for fitness, after the initial physiotherapy assessment and treatment, an individual exercise program will be put together to improve the problem areas identified.
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Laura will then continue to work with you and your horse or dog, adjusting the exercise intensity or introducing new exercises. This will continue building and improving the health and performance of your horse or dog and minimise risk of injury through conditioning your horse’s or dog’s body.
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Examples include:
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Pole Work
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Ground Work
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Active Stretches
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Rhythmic Mobilisations
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Strength and Conditioning Exercises
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Transitions
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Altering surfaces and Gradients
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Training Aids
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