What is
veterinary
physiotherapy?
Veterinary Physiotherapy
An animal physiotherapist or veterinary physiotherapist uses scientific based reasoning and a practical approach to help with a number of things. Physiotherapy can be used to treat many musculoskeletal and neurological conditions with the aims to reduce pain, improving movement, and restoring normal muscle control and function.
We work alongside other professionals, such as the vet, dentist, chiropractor or osteopath to build a treatment plan best suited for your animals. Physiotherapy is also a useful tool for performance development of a competitive animal or maintenance cases, in which the aim is to try to minimise the risk of injury whilst maximising the performance.
How does a therapist achieve this?
As a physiotherapist I will ask a lot of questions about the animals medical history, current and previous medication, any injuries or illnesses hat may have occurred. I will then assess the animal both statically and dynamically to assess its gait and posture. Following this I will palpate all over and perform joint range of motion tests to assess the joint health and function. After completion of my assessment I will explain what I have found and the plan for todays session and then aims for the future.
At my disposal I have a number of tools to help optimise the function of the animal while relieving pain. I will use a mixture of manual therapies, which can include a variety of different massage and soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisations or manipulations, myofascial release and stretches.
I also have access to some electrotherapies, these have a number of uses from wound healing, pain relief and also trigger point release. I have access to a class 3b laser, a pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PMFT) machine, TENS unit and NMES unit. There are many others to be used, such as the use of therapeutic ultrasound, class 4 laser, H-wave, Radio frequency therapy, interferential, microcurrent, and electrical muscle stimulation.
I will prescribe an exercise programme, each tailored to the patient and all will be realistic and achievable for you and your animal. Individual exercise programmes are used to help to encourage correct movement patterns and improve muscle strength, endurance, suppleness, proprioception, balance and stability.
Management and husbandry advice for the animal can be necessary for you and your animal, for example suggesting to relieve some muscular tension by raising feed bowls for your dog. Owners often need guidance and additional advice on specific handling of their injured animal, or how to make appropriate adaptations to an animal's home environment and general management in order to assist in their animals wellbeing.
The institute of registered veterinary and
animal physiotherapists (IRVAP)
At AB VP we are a proud member of IRVAP and fully insured within this organisation. The importance of working as part of this widely recognised institute means I am working within current research standards and run my business with a strict code of conduct. Animal welfare is a top priority and all animals receive the best possible care. I will have CPD to ensure I am staying up to date with current research.
For more information visit their website at https://www.irvap.org.uk/