We work with your vet.
All animals are either referred directly to us by your Vet, or we obtain their permission and any relevant medical history to ensure that physiotherapy and/or hydrotherapy are appropriate. We report back to your vet to ensure that we are all working together, and that your dogs medical records are kept up to date.
Physiotherapy at Honeysuckle Hydrotherapy Centre takes the form of ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT and MONITORING which goes hand in hand with a holistic approach to exercise and health management
The aim of physiotherapy is improved function and performance by.....
- Reducing pain
- Promoting healing
- Promoting joint flexibility/range of movement
- Strengthening muscles
- Improved cardiovascular fitness
- Maintaining or improving mobility in elderly animals
- Prevention of re-occurrence of injury
Initial Assessment
All dogs require a full physiotherapy assessment prior to to any hydrotherapy. This enables each patients needs to be identified and progress to be monitored .
In some cases hydrotherapy may not be appropriate.
Watching your dog moving can give important information to the nature and degree of the problem. It is helpful to see walking and trotting, if they are able to do so. This will be done on the lead and possibly loose in a safe paddock. Their ability to sit, stand, lie down etc will also be observed as this enables us to begin to assess ranges of movement, muscle power, balance and co-ordination.
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Physiotherapy Treatment
We encourage owners to take an active part in the rehabilitationprogramme at home and individual exercise programmes are given as required
Physiotherapy treatment is diverse and includes techniques such as
Manual therapy
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Active exercise programs
To improve strength and coordination
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Electro Therapy
Therapeutic laser
The light emitted by therapeutic laser is absorbed by the cells in tissue (eg skin, tendon, muscle or ligament). The light Energy is converted to chemical energy which stimulates healing within the cells.
Laser is most commonly used in wound healing to help resolve soft tissue injuries, joint inflammation and over acupuncture points /trigger points for pain relief
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Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is sound energy which is absorbed by the tissues to improve the speed of healing and more importantly the quality of the scar tissue.
Therapeutic ultrasound is particularly well absorbed by tendons, ligaments, joint capsule and scar tissue.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
This is particularly useful if a dog has suffered nerve injury, as it helps prevent muscle wastage as the nerve heals.
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Electro stimulation- TENS
TENS can be used to treat local superficial pain. It does not treat the cause of the pain, merely relieves the symptoms, by stimulating chemical release(endorphins) and stimulating the nerves that block the sensation of pain.
Monitoring
As part of our ongoing care package we monitor our patients progression, encouraging 3 or 6 monthly check ups.
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