Services
Massage & Manual Therapy
Massage is known for its relaxation properties but it is also great tool to help decrease pain and tension in muscles either due to overuse, under use or compensatory movements. Massage in the post-op period can reduce swelling and can reduce scarring.
Stretching can help Arthritis, soft tissue injuries or post operative patients that can have muscle tightening and fibrosis due to lack of activity. Stretching can help reduce adhesion's and scar tissue to help increase range of motion.
Passive range of motion (PROM) exercises are performed to help maintain flexibility and mobility at the joint performed. In patients who cannot perform active range of motion (AROM) exercises, such as motions of daily living, PROM exercises can help reduce stiffness of a joint and keep it from freezing from a lack of movement. PROM also helps to lubricate and nourish joints by moving the joint fluid around within the joint.
Laser Therapy
What is Laser Therapy? Laser Therapy is a relatively new modality used to treat pain and promote healing. It works by using a process called photobiostimulation, where energy from photons is delivered from the laser to cells in the affected area. The cells then use this energy to produce a variety of cellular functions. This allows the body to increase circulation, repair tissues faster, and decrease inflammation, aid in nerve healing and reduce pain.
Laser Therapy is non painful and safe and It is very useful in those patients with pain or in need of wound healing. Laser Therapy can also reduce the amount of pain medication a patient needs.
Canine Pain Relief uses a class IV laser which is specifically made for animals. It allows me to reach both superficial injuries as well as deeper pain and inflammation such as with arthritis or post op joint surgeries. I even have cute dog goggles (doggles) for your dog to wear during treatments.
Patients who can benefit from Laser Therapy are:
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Post operative dogs
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Dogs with Cruciate Ligament tears
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Arthritic dogs
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Dogs with muscle, ligament and tendon injuries
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Dogs with disc disease
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Elbow and hip dysplasia in dogs
and many other indications.
TENS/ NMES / Interferential
TENS works to reduce pain by providing low level electrical current that acts in a way like massage. It is great for soft tissue injuries and post-surgical patients and can help reduce pain medication needed.
NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) is used to cause muscle contractions for those dogs that have lost muscle mass due to disuse or to prevent muscle loss when a muscle isn't being used such as during the post-operative time or dogs that have lost mobility. NMES is also useful at reducing post-operative swelling.
Interferential Therapy-
Interferential Current stimulation is very useful in the treatment of circulatory and muscular disorders, stiffness of joints, edema, and inflammation. If your pet suffers from health problems such as trauma and body pain, joint injuries, or are post orthopedic surgery, interferential current therapy is an important option. Infterferential therapy reaches much deeper than TENS and so is a great option for joint disease or injury. It also helps accelerate the healing process by increasing blood circulation.
Osteoarthritis Management/ Senior Pet Care
Together with your veterinarian, I will set up a plan to help manage your dog's osteoarthritis. This will include an initial gait assessment, examining your pet for joint instability, tenderness and muscle weakness and joint range of motion. I will discuss nutrition and possible nutritional supplements for your dog as well as determine your dog's optimal weight. If your dog is carrying some extra weight, a weight loss regime will be started. Weight is an important factor when managing osteoarthritis as any increase in weight is added weight on your dog's tender joints.
A massage and/or laser therapy plan can be initiated to reduce pain and increase range of motion. Heat therapy and cryotherapy (the application of cold) can be used to help with pain and inflammation as well. Also, exercises to help with joint instability, joint position awareness and muscle strength will be implemented to keep your dogs mobility at its best and increase quality of life for them. I will show you some massage techniques and exercises that you can use at home with your dog.
A home environment assessment can also be done. Here I will go around your house with you and make suggestions on ways to help your dog maneuver within their home environment with greater ease.
Therapeutic Exercises/ Physical Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation or Physical therapy, serves many benefits to post-operative patients, those with arthritis, disc disease or other physical disabilities and soft tissue injuries.
Therapeutic exercises are selected specifically for your pet's needs.
Exercises include:
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proprioception and balance-these help the body know where the joint and foot placement are in relation to the rest of the body.
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strengthening exercises-these exercises help to strengthen core, postural or individual muscle groups that are weak or de-conditioned.
Examples of exercises include:
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Cavaletti and weave poles
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working on physio peanuts
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wobble boards/ balance boards
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weight shifting exercises
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stairs/ramps etc...
Other Services -incorporated into above therapies
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Gait Assessment
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In Home Environment Assessments
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Goniometry - a tool to measure your dog's range of motion
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Muscle Girth Measurements
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Weight Loss Assistance
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Osteoarthritis Nutrition/ Supplement Education
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Heat Therapy and Cryotherapy
