Primary Care
Specialty Care
Rehabilitation is the use of therapeutic exercises combined with additional modalities such as hydrotherapy, ultrasound, cryotherapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and acupuncture to improve the recovery of patients with both acute and chronic conditions.
Rehabilitation can restore, maintain, and promote optimal function and mobility, enhance recovery postoperatively, alleviate pain, improve circulation, coordination and range of motion, and provide confidence and comfort in geriatric patients. Generally speaking, rehabilitation can facilitate a more complete recovery from injury and help to manage pain and inflammation in more chronic conditions. Having a pet in a rehabilitation program also allows for frequent re-assessment and detection of complications earlier in the healing process.
Pets of all ages, sizes and breeds can benefit from rehabilitation. Any pet suffering from chronic pain, arthritis, obesity or muscle weakness can experience an enhanced quality of life as a result of rehabilitation.
Orthopedic conditions:
Neurologic Conditions:
General Health/Wellness:
Underwater Treadmill
The underwater treadmill enables pets to begin the rehabilitation process earlier than normal. The low-impact exercise offered by the underwater treadmill allows animals to transition more quickly to land-based therapy by increasing muscle strength and endurance using the natural properties of water buoyancy, resistance, and heat.
Land (Dry) Treadmill
The land treadmill is an alternative to the underwater treadmill or can be the next step after utilizing an underwater treadmill. It is often used in conjunction with other modalities. Use of treadmills is especially helpful with gait training because of the consistency of the pace at a set speed that can be gradually adjusted as the patient improves.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is a non-invasive, painless treatment that provides heat therapy to deep tissue using sound waves. It can be used to break down scar tissue, improve flexibility and reduce spasms or contractures.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
At lower frequencies, a TENS unit can be used as a distraction method for pain control by creating a tingling sensation that can reduce pain signaling along the spinal cord and brain.
At higher frequencies, NMES is used to produce contractions in muscles that are too weak to do so on their own. NMES can also be used to give sensory input to areas with reduced nerve function associated with nerve damage.
Low Level Laser Therapy (aka “cold laser”)
LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is another non-invasive, painless treatment that can be used to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain.
Therapeutic Exercise and Manual Therapy
Therapeutic exercise and manual therapy are used in conjunction with other modalities to help improve strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, limb and body awareness and functional mobility. Obstacle courses, cavalettis and balance-based exercises are some examples of therapeutic exercise. Passive range of motion, stretching and massage are some examples of manual therapy.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a modality that uses very thin needles to stimulate “points” within the body that can boost the body’s immune system to mediate pain and inflammation, and help restore balance within the body. Acupuncture may also help to stimulate appetite and energy in patients with chronic conditions or immune suppression.
